Find a snake in your toilet in California? Don’t get rattled, experts say
What’s the scariest thing that could happen in your bathroom?
Do you worry about running out of toilet paper or spilling toothpaste all over the sink?
What about a snake slithering out of your toilet?
In July 2023, a Tuscon, Arizona, woman found a 3-foot-long coachwhip snake in her toilet, according to media outlets.
“Everybody has the same reaction: ‘Oh my god that’s my worst nightmare,’ ” Michelle Lespron told The Associated Press. “Thank God the lid was closed.”
How common is it to find a snake in your plumbing? Why do reptiles come inside your home?
The Fresno Bee reached out to experts to find out the answers.
What are common snake species in California? Are they dangerous?
Snake species that are commonly found in California including the gopher snake, coachwhip snake, sharp-tailed snake, California kingsnake and Western yellow-bellied racer according to California Herps, an online guide to amphibians and reptiles in California.
Most are not dangerous, California Herps said.
California is also home to seven species of venomous rattlesnakes, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
You can usually identify a rattlesnake by its triangular-shaped head, diamond pattern and the distinct sound of the rattle at the end of its tail, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said.
However, rattlesnakes can lose their rattles or decide not to use them.
Why do snakes come into your California home?
Snakes wander onto your property and into your home because they’re looking for food, water or shelter, according to Michael G Starkey, founder and executive director of Save the Snakes. The nonprofit snake conservation organization is based in Sacramento.
Snakes may be seeking prey — typically birds and rodents — attracted by bird feeders, pet food bowls and livestock feeding troughs, he said
They’re also searching for something to drink.
“During the hot months, snakes are looking for water,” Starkey said, which means they’re attracted to swimming pools, sprinklers, ponds, pet dishes and even leaky air conditioning units.
In addition, snakes are looking for places to hide.
The reptiles often hang out under rocks, logs and woodpiles, according to the National Park Service.
During the hottest and coldest times of the year, snakes usually find shelter “around the foundation of people’s homes or buildings.” according to Starkey.
“If you have a crack underneath the foundation of your home, that’s a perfect place that a snake is going to look for in summertime if they’re trying to escape the heat,” Starkey previously told The Sacramento Bee.
“Bathrooms are not only cool, but also provide the pests with darkness and moisture,” said Critter Control, a nationwide pest control company headquartered in Georgia. “Some of their favorite resting areas include underneath sinks, inside or around toilets and in tubs.”
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Can a snake crawl up through my toilet?
According to Starkey, finding a snake in your bathroom is “very rare,” but it “happens every now and then.”
“It definitely would be a newsworthy event. That’s for sure,” he said.
In November, a South Carolina woman discovered a ball python lurking behind her toilet, various media outlets reported.
Meanwhile, a Central Texas woman was bitten by a rat snake coiled under her toilet seat in December.
When it comes snakes to your plumbing, Starkey said people’s pets are often the culprits.
“They get out from not being secured properly and ... roam the neighborhood,” Starkey said. “If they find their way into a sewer system, they can theoretically climb up a drain pipe into someone’s toilet.”
What to do if you find a snake in your bathroom
If you find a snake coiled up in your toilet bowl or lurking under your commode, remain calm, Starkey said.
“That snake is in a less-(than)-great spot. It doesn’t want to be there,” he told The Fresno Bee. “It’s struggling to find out, to find a place that it can feel safe.”
In most cases, you can try to remove the snake yourself or call your local animal control agency or reptile rescue organization, Starkey said.
“They will find the best person in your area to relocate that snake or to find it into a suitable home,” he explained.
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If you find a rattlesnake, “You would need to get a professional to come in and remove the snake,” Starkey said.
According to Starkey, it’s worth remembering that the snake is likely as scared as you.
“A snake does not want to be in a sewer system. It does not want to be in a drain pipe or in a toilet,” he said, encouraging people to have “a little bit of empathy for that animal, understanding it’s in a bad situation.”
While they may seem “icky or gross” to some people, “Snakes are really important animals,” Starkey said. “They serve as a natural form of pest control. And they’re pretty interesting once you get to know them.”
What to do if you get bitten by a snake
If you’ve been bitten by a snake “and you’re 100% sure it’s not a rattlesnake, all you need to do is wash the bite with soap and water and you’ll be fine,” Starkey said.
Rattlesnake bites, however, are another story.
Most people survive life-threatening rattlesnake attacks if they seek out medical help immediately, Starkey previously told The Sacramento Bee.
“The longer you wait, the more likely you are to have permanent damage from the rattlesnake bite,” he explained. “That’s why it’s so critical that if you are bitten, you drop everything you’re doing and get to a hospital.”
Beyond dialing 911 and seeking medical attention, Starkey and the National Park Service recommend taking these actions in the aftermath of a rattler strike:
- Stop moving the limb where the bite occurred to limit the spread of the venom.
- Gently wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Keep the bite slightly higher than the heart if possible.
- Mark the bite area with a pen and the time of the snake strike.
- Remove any watches, rings or jewelry that could constrict swelling.
Johns Hopkins Medicine also offers guidance on how to treat snake bites.
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Find a snake in your toilet in California? Don’t get rattled, experts say."
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