Rattlesnakes are showing up in surprising places across Southern California. What’s behind the trend?

RIVERSIDE, Calif. () — In the midst of an extended heat wave, Southern Californians have reported multiple rattlesnake sightings in recent weeks, including encounters in Newport Beach and Irvine.

Earlier this week, a rattlesnake was spotted slithering across the sand at Crystal Cover near Newport Beach. On another day, a rattlesnake was seen crossing a pathway near an apartment complex in Irvine.

Ele Tavakoli, who encountered the snake in Irvine, described the experience.

“The snake actually was looking at us, and I felt like if I step forward it would have come at me or the other people on the pathway,” Tavakoli said.

Ryan Jessup of Ryan’s Rattlesnake Rescue, who has helped capture rattlesnakes and released them back into the wild for 15 years, said sightings such as the one in Irvine are not unusual.

“I mean, a snake that’s found in the middle of Irvine like that, it’s not uncommon,” Jessup said.

Jessup said the recent increase in sightings may be related to extreme heat. Rather than seeking hotter conditions, snakes may be moving to find cooler areas and shade.

“They’re out hiding in the shade in the middle of the heat, so later on in the afternoons or early mornings is when they’re most active,” Jessup said.

He said he is not surprised that rattlesnakes have been spotted in developed areas recently.

“Usually when you see a snake on the crawl, it’s crawling from a position where they had and the sun may have just reached them, their shade ran out. They’re going from spot to spot finding more shade,” Jessup said.

Jessup also said there are several misconceptions about rattlesnakes, including how they behave around people. He said rattling is generally a defensive response.

“That rattling is just fear. They’re letting you know, hey, I’m right here, don’t step on me. The only time they’re going to bite is when they feel that they can’t get away,” Jessup said.

Jessup advised anyone who encounters a snake not to panic and to take about two large steps backward to move out of its striking range. If someone is bitten by a snake, he said, they should call 911 as soon as possible.