MIRA MESA, Calif., (KGTV) — The San Diego County Department of Animal Services said they've received 921 calls regarding rattlesnakes this year, which is up from 725 from the same time last year.
“It was about as tall as I am and it was pretty terrifying,” said Sarah Guthals.
She said she discovered a large rattlesnake hiding in a bush in her backyard Wednesday afternoon.
RELATED: San Diego rattlesnake season in full swing, encounters increase in 2017
“When he picked it up, it was about five feet long,” said Guthals.
She said the animal control officer who captured it told her it was the biggest one he’d seen all year.
Soon-to-be-mom finds a large #rattlesnake in her backyard in #MiraMesa. Why the county is getting more calls this yr?! STORY @10News at 6pm! pic.twitter.com/69XMoAbCJg
— Jessica Chen (@10NewsJessica) August 11, 2017
Animals Services said the rattlesnake population is dependent on a variety of factors, including food. The more mice and rats around typically means more rattlesnakes.
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Gutturals said the discovery is a bit unnerving because she is expecting her first child in a few months and they’ve been working to make their backyard safer.
“Now I'm even more terrified.” said Guthals.
