"Trapper" Pat

Rattle Rescue’s first ambassador; Ichabod is a California King Snake.  Ichabod is about four feet long.  Ichabod was gifted to the ambassador program from someone who could no longer care for him.

Ichabod was never given larger, size appropriate prey when he was young, so he only eats small mice.  A snake typical for Ichabod's size should be eating rat-sized meals, but Ichabod doesn't know how or refuses to eat food this size, opting for several small sub-adult mice for his meal.

Ichabod is a California King Snake - Lampropeltis californiae. (Species stable)

Thes snakes are found pretty much everywhere in California with a few exceptions such as the far northeast corner of the state. 

Cali King Snakes can live up to 15 years, can grow up to 4 feet in length, are non-venomous, and eat rattlesnakes!  They are a very popular pet and common in the reptile pet world.

Titan was born on July 7th, 2022, in Carlsbad, CA.  He's our second snake ambassador (after Ichabod).  Titan is our feistiest ambassador, but also our most intelligent.  

Titan is currently target training with us.  When his training is complete, he will be able to where we tell him to instead of moving him like all our other animals.

Titan is a San Diego Gopher Snake - Pituophis catenifer annectens (Species stable)

Thes snakes are found in the coastal southern California areas, and almost all of San Diego County, excluding the eastern most desert areas where the Sonoran Gopher Snake range begins.

San Diego Gopher Snakes can grow up to 9 feet long!

 California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates the captive propagation of this species, requiring a special permit.  Titan has this special permit. 

Blackjack came to us injured from the wild.  After being rehabilitated, Blackjack was evaluated for repatriation and was determined likely not to survive in the wild.  In lieu this risk, he joined our ambassador program.

Blackjack is ALWAYS hungry and is always up for another meal, even if he just ate.

Blackjack is a Chapparal Whipsnake aka a Two Striped Racer -  Masticophis lateralis lateralis. (Species stable)

These snakes are found in almost all of coastal California, except the northern most coast, and can be found in the Serria Nevada Mountains.  

Chapparal Whipsnakes are very fast.  When they hunt, they raise their head and tail high off the ground.  Chapparal Whipsnakes are regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Blackjack has a special permit to partake in ambassador animal activity.

Rivet is an Anza-Borrego Rosy Boa.  She was born on August 29th, 2024.  She is the newest member of the Rattle Rescue Family.

She is very silly, derpy, and loves to be held.  She is quickly becoming the favorite ambassador animal of our guests and customers.

And yes she was named after Rosie the Riveter from the iconic World War 2 poster.

She also likes to eat in private.  She will not eat when anyone is watching her.

Rosy Boas - Lichanura orcutti, (Species stable)

They are one of only two species of boas in the United States.  They are found in the desert regions in the southwest United States.

Rosy Boas are a popular and easy to care for pet.  They are primarily nocturnal, preferring to seek shelter from the desert hear during the day.

 Goose is not a snake; he is a Gilbert’s Skink.

Goose likes his food clean.  When he grabs bugs with his jaw, he shakes them back and forth to knock off all the dirt and sand.  He then chomps on the clean bugs and swallows them.

Goose's species is regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  He has the proper permit. 

Gilbert's (Western Red Tail) Skinks - Plestiodon gilberti (Species stable) 

They are native to several parts of California, including the San Diego inland areas.  Skinks are like snakes, but with small stubby limbs.

 Drake is not a snake; he is a Bearded Dragon.

Unlike our other ambassador animals, Drake's species is NOT native to San Diego.  Bearded dragons are from central Australia.  Drake's favorite activities include hunting bugs and looking at people with a judgmental side-eye.

Bearded Dragons - Ponga vitticeps (Species stable) are native to Australia.

Much like any lizard, they require sunlight to synthesize vitamin D3, an essential component of calcium processing and required for bone growth.

Bearded dragons are a popular pet with moderate care requirements (not as easy as a King Snake).  Bearded dragons are omnivores; they eat bugs and vegetables.  They also have distinct personalities, which makes them great pets.

 Leo is not a snake; he is a Russian Tortoise!

Unlike our other ambassador animals, Leo's species is NOT native to San Diego.  They come from, you guessed it- Russia, and other places in southeast Asian, and parts of the middle east.  Leo is our first ambassador, enjoys salads and taking long walks in the sun.

Russian Tortoises - Testudo horsfieldii   are listed as VULNERABLE (not threatened or endangered, but not quite stable).

They are native to Russian, southeast Asia and parts of the middle east.  Russian Tortoises are and stay small.  Unlike other species, like the Sulcata Tortoise, Russian Tortoises will never grow larger than ten inches.

Russian Tortoises prefer arid environments and love to dig.  They are also exceptionally good climbers for their shape and size.