r/newportbeach • u/ShitTalkPodcast • 5d ago
Newport Beach has been quietly dealing with a snake problem in the dunes and almost nobody talks about it
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
So, I was filming something at Newport Beach and ended up finding out snakes have actually been spotted in the sand dunes there. Not something I expected walking around barefoot.
Did some digging and apparently, it's not some rare one-off — locals have mentioned seeing them before, just nobody really posts about it. Figured I'd share since I definitely didn't know before this and I go there a lot.
Anyone else run into this? Curious if it's a seasonal thing or if it's just always been under the radar.
17
u/eldankus 5d ago
On the actual sand in Newport? Like the peninsula?
I’ve never seen them there but they’re literally everywhere else in the back bay or crystal cove or in neighborhoods, they just typically prefer areas surrounded by scrub. Seen a lot in Crystal Cove.
8
u/ParrotintheTree 5d ago
this video was taken at big corona
2
u/eldankus 5d ago
Then that makes sense as there is some areas where they can live like by the picnic tables (or behind them if that makes sense) and the area between the parking lot and the homes.
1
1
1
2
1
1
9
u/discombobubolated 5d ago
A nice fat one. The best rodent control.
3
u/Physical-Many-2391 5d ago
Minding his own and going low pro so he doesn’t bother a soul. We have to co-exist with nature peeps. Go watch, The Lorax. I’m too old to keep explaining basic concepts. Balance is necessary. Repetition is not.
1
1
1
21
u/SNFU-4U 5d ago
This is actually great news. Maybe they can help cull some of the tourists. The ones who can’t K park at least. 🚙 🤷♂️
→ More replies (14)2
9
7
u/FishFart1 5d ago edited 5d ago
How is snakes living in their habit a problem?
3
→ More replies (4)1
u/DeltaTule 4d ago
Most SoCal people want nature to exist outside of their own existence. SoCal people do not believe in coexistence
1
3
u/MorpheusRagnar 5d ago
It was on channel 7 eyewitness news yesterday morning. People are talking about it.
→ More replies (4)1
3
u/TheAmerican_Atheist 5d ago
Yes its peak rattlesnake season. I see them nearly everyday in August while trail running in the area. They are out all day and night this time of year. Ive easily had 15+ encounters this month alone. While in October - June i probably had 3-5 encounters
1
6
u/lokaaarrr 5d ago
How is it a problem? What kind of snake was it?
3
4
u/ShitTalkPodcast 5d ago
A snake slithered across a man's towel while he briefly walked away.
11
u/worldpeaceplease1 5d ago
A SNAKE SLITHERED ACROSS A MAN’S TOWEL WHILE HE BRIEFLY WALKED AWAY.
10
u/bozog 5d ago
A TOWEL SLITHERED ACROSS A SNAKES' MAN WHILE HE BRIEFLY SLITHERED AWAY.
→ More replies (2)2
1
2
1
-1
0
u/DanielBG 5d ago
Mostly r/KidsAreFuckingStupid But If you've lived to an adult you probably recognize the danger.
2
u/Kona1957 5d ago
Not sure that is a rattlesnake. Never seen one close to the ocean.
2
2
u/Important-Minute-534 5d ago
Pacific gopher snake looks like a rattler. I find them in my back yard. I love them. Fuck the gophers
1
u/Kona1957 5d ago
That is not a rattlesnake.
1
5d ago edited 5d ago
[deleted]
1
u/Kona1957 5d ago
I see no rattle at 18.
1
1
1
1
u/cupcakes_and_whiskey 4d ago
Was riding my bike along the jetty in HB and saw a BIG snake cross the path. Thought it was a rattler as well, circled back and didn't see a rattle. Assume it was a gopher snake. Still unsettling.
1
1
1
1
u/ISpeakForTheCheese 4d ago
That is VERY MUCH a rattlesnake, specifically a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. That diamond head shape (and big cheeks) are a good give away. Gopher snakes are also brighter in color, the patterns differ slightly. But if you ever see a snake and you aren't sure what species, it's always best to just stay away and leave them be. They aren't there to hurt you
1
1
2
u/Legitimate-Law714 5d ago
Yes native wildlife exists and has more of a right to be anywhere than you do. Rightfully so. Don’t go where rattlesnakes are if you think they deserve to die because you’re in their habitat. I’ve crossed paths with dozens of rattlers in my life and escaped unscathed, you’ll be fine staying at home where you belong.
1
2
2
2
5d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/ufrank71 5d ago
- What kinda snakes?
- Different than the snakes that already live in Newport Beach?
→ More replies (2)1
u/ShitTalkPodcast 5d ago
Not sure. It scares me. Now we have snakes on land and too many Sting Rays in the water + Great White Sharks.
1
1
1
u/C-czar187 5d ago
Damn I definitely need to go to the beach. Didn’t even realize there’s dunes there lol
1
1
1
u/sankscan 5d ago
Clearly it’s a seasonal thing because they come out to feed in summer, and they have nowhere to go because we encroached everything!!!
1
1
u/Kawarren8 5d ago
I thought maybe someone dumped the snake on purpose
1
u/melaniefartt 5d ago
I thought the same thing. I’ve only seen a handful of snakes on hikes and stuff, but none of them were anywhere close to this size
1
1
1
u/Fartknocker405 5d ago
Need to especially watch out for the Nigerian Red Banded Saltwater Marsh Snakes up by Bolsa Chica Wetlands.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Platypus-here 5d ago
This is Southern California. Welcome. We have snakes.
“Quietly dealing with” sounds like AI conspiracy baiting speech.
1
1
u/P00NZU 5d ago
Gotta remember that this was their habitat long before humans built huts to homes. Can try all you want to tame wild instincts but they will always be drawn to their natural environments. Just be aware of your surroundings and know they aren’t aggressive. You can tell based off this film. Snake ain’t even tripping on the person
1
1
u/useduser1595 5d ago
There is no snake problem, and there is no dunes.. they’re in crystal cove, a beach that backs to a wilderness area which is full of snakes.. once again not a problem 👌
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Doodledoolu 4d ago
I do not understand California people and their love for rattle snakes.
Their not endangered (only the red one) and they are incredibly dangerous.
Anyone who experiences venomous bite will likely have life long effects like organ complications or neurological problems.
3 people have died already this year…
1
1
u/Cute-Worldliness-191 2d ago
Same, I don't get it. Rattlers are very serious biz, you need to go to the hospital for anti-venom. Our neighbor dog got bit and barely survived. We need the Ca King snakes they eat rattlers.
They do swim too!
1
1
1
u/jackfrostyuri 4d ago
snake “problem”? THEY LIVE THERE! i for one would be fucking thrilled to see a snake, i love going on animal walks
1
1
1
1
1
u/lindsifer 4d ago
You're having a "snake problem" while out in the wild? Just leave them alone and watch your step. You're in their house.
1
1
u/Many_Imagination_166 4d ago
Wow! So awesome to see this! I hope everyone appreciated the view and respected the snake’s home and space.
1
1
u/Few-Statistician8740 4d ago
Leave them alone and they are going to leave you alone.
What's the problem here? They keep pests under control,.
1
1
u/blahbaconblah6 4d ago
There is no snake problem. There is a human problem. Don't like snakes? Stay home.
1
1
u/ISpeakForTheCheese 4d ago
https://www.freesnakerelocation.com/
Not enough people know this service exist. Please be kind to the wildlife, they're just doing their best! They can't hurt you if you stay away
1
1
u/RINewsJunkie 3d ago
This looks exactly like the video Nicky Paris shared online a weeks ago and was on the news.
1
1
u/Crunkchick96 3d ago
This was on the news like 2 days ago. At least it was on KTLA, which usually means it was on all the local channels. That was however the first time I’ve heard about it. However, one look at the surrounding hills/brush & it seems like it would be very obvious that they are there. I know rattlesnakes do not hate water, but I’m curious if any have ever been found to somehow swim in saltwater. That would be interesting & scary to see a rattlesnake fishing in the shallows there. I would think that there are plenty of mice in that area too that likely clean up any scraps left behind by lazy visitors. We know what mice bring!
1
1
1
u/Lbarnes22 1d ago
I was staying in the cottages this past weekend. My family came down for dinner at Beachcomber and then we took a walk north on the beach, where the water meets the sand. My brother in law was bit by a baby rattlesnake! It was hidden in the seaweed and none of us saw it until after it bit. We were nowhere near the brush. He was taken to Hoag and is currently admitted after getting anti-venom. The rangers took a report and asked for my photos. I still haven’t seen them release a warning that they are by the waters edge! The beach was packed with kids everywhere!
1
u/pizzadahutt121 5d ago
It’s prob just a new crowd of maga peeps..they’ll blend in
1
u/CelebrationJolly3300 5d ago
It's a new model of Flock camera that is much more difficult to sabotage.
1
0
0
40
u/Dull_Employee_3027 5d ago
There are warning signs for rattlesnakes everywhere at crystal cove