Rattlesnake Population

The Population Is Still Growing.

Rising temperatures are extending the active season and dramatically increasing neonate survival rates. The estimated rattlesnake population in the Santa Clarita Valley has grown over 60% in the last 26 years — interrupted by drought cycles but never reversed. The 2013–2015 extreme drought drove the deepest dip on record, yet by 2018 the population had fully recovered and continued climbing. The long-term trajectory is up.

"Hotter summers don't increase rattlesnake populations. Milder winters, on the other hand, increase the number of 'hot days' — allowing for additional hunting & breeding, steadily increasing the population."

~490,000
Est. Total Population
150,000+
Est. Adult Population
300,000
Acres of Active Habitat
520 mi²
Study Area

"Rising temperatures are growing rattlesnake populations by extending the season they're active and dramatically increasing newborn survival rates. Drought cycles create temporary dips — but each recovery lands higher than the last."

— Based on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Climate Research, 2022
Read the Full Population Report →
Santa Clarita Valley

Estimated Total Rattlesnake Population

2000 – 2025 · Climate drives the trend; drought cycles drive the dips

Population modeled from a 0.5 adults/acre density benchmark applied to 300,000 undeveloped SCV acres. Year-to-year values adjusted by a drought-lag factor — severe drought suppresses rodent prey; rattlesnake populations follow with a 1–2 year lag. Long-term growth reflects warming-driven active season extension and increased neonate survival (Cal Poly SLO, 2022).

Active Season Index: Rattlesnakes go dormant in cold weather, so the length of their active season is determined less by summer heat and more by how mild the winter is. The index is derived from NOAA Heating Degree Days (HDD) for LA County — a measure of annual cold exposure. As winters have grown milder, cold days have decreased, and snakes remain active for longer stretches of the year. A rising ASI means winter is shrinking.

Sources: NOAA NCEI · Biotaxa / MDPI Diversity · Cal Poly SLO (2022) · CDFW · L.A. County Dept. of Regional Planning

Containment Units
How We Keep Every Dog Safe
Shatterproof Polycarbonate

Containment units are customized transparent shatterproof lockboxes. Air holes are cross-drilled vertically and horizontally through half an inch of polycarbonate inserts — making it physically impossible for a snake's fang to reach through.

Non-Negotiable Standard

Every rattlesnake used in our training is secured inside a containment unit at all times. Your dog never has direct access to the snake — and that is non-negotiable. Not a preference. A standard.

No Muzzled Snakes — Ever

We stand firmly against the muzzling of rattlesnakes. Muzzling changes their behavior and makes them docile — defeating the purpose. Our containment method produces better results and keeps everyone safer.
Why We Never Use Muzzled Snakes

With contained snakes, we achieve the same results — if not better. Muzzling rattlesnakes drastically changes their behavior, and can even make them docile — which defeats the purpose entirely. A dog approaching a naturally behaving rattlesnake inside a containment unit is exactly the real-world scenario we're training for. The experience is authentic. The safety is absolute.

We've seen what muzzled rattlesnakes can do. Handlers using muzzled snakes don't just get bitten — they get bitten often. We've personally witnessed muzzling jobs where it was genuinely questionable whether a fang could pop free. Rattlesnakes will do anything they are physically capable of to bite when they decide to. Their fangs sit on hinges in their mouths, and it has been documented that they will angle their fangs to pierce through the bottom of their own mouths to reach you. A muzzled rattlesnake is not a safe rattlesnake.
Rattlesnakes in Santa Clarita

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is the most dangerous snake in Santa Clarita and one of the most dangerous in North America.

Key identifiers include a triangular head, heat-sensing pit organs between the eye and nostril, vertical elliptical pupils, and keeled scales that give the body a rough, matte texture.

Not every snake you encounter is dangerous — but misidentification causes panic and unnecessary risk.

  • —Pictured is a young adult
  • —They tend to darken with age to nearly black
  • —Babies are born with a single button and cannot rattle until first shed
  • —Mothers give live birth to up to a dozen rattlesnakes
Free Snake Removal & Identification → Envenomation Guide →
Southern Pacific Rattlesnake Identification Guide
Professional Snake Handling

The Handlers Behind the Snakes

Safe rattlesnake avoidance training requires more than a skilled dog trainer — it requires certified professionals who handle live rattlesnakes with expertise and care. Meet the father-son team who make our training sessions possible.

Cary Quashen
Rattlesnake Handler
Cary Quashen

Cary is a well-known Santa Clarita Valley community leader and the face of The Snake School's rattlesnake wrangling operation. A passionate advocate for wildlife safety and co-existence, Cary has made it his mission to educate families and pet owners about living safely alongside rattlesnakes in Southern California. When a rattlesnake shows up where it's not welcome, Cary is the one people call — and he handles every encounter with calm, respect for the animal, and a deep commitment to public safety. His hands-on experience with live rattlesnakes is central to what makes our avoidance training so effective.

Live Rattlesnake Handler Wildlife Safety Advocate Bird Watcher Dog Lover Santa Clarita, CA
Scott Quashen
Rattlesnake Handler
Scott Quashen

Scott works alongside his father Cary as part of The Snake School's wrangling team, bringing a shared passion for rattlesnake safety and wildlife education to every session. Together, Cary and Scott co-founded The Snake School for Dogs with lead trainer Britany Morano — combining expert dog training with professional rattlesnake handling to create one of the most comprehensive avoidance programs in Southern California. Scott's role ensures every training session runs safely, smoothly, and with the highest standard of care for both the animals and the dogs being trained. After consulting with expert herpetologists on the matter of muzzled rattlesnakes, Scott will never handle another live muzzled rattlesnake again.

Live Rattlesnake Handler Safety Officer Dog Lover Santa Clarita, CA
Ready to Protect Your Dog

One Session. Lasting Protection.

Classes fill fast. Reserve your spot today and give your dog the protection they need for every trail, backyard, and open space.

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