This footage shows how a professional snake wrangler removes large rattlesnakes from people’s homes with a single swipe of his tongs.
Bruce Ireland, 58, who lives in Carlsbad, in the US state of California, told Newsflash in an interview that he has been passionate about saving snakes since he was seven years old.
In 2017, he started Snake Wranglers – a snake rescue service which he said is his way of providing his local community with “a better option than calling the local Fire Departments, who are required to kill all snakes.”
They have rescued 351 snakes from January to October of 2022 alone, according to their official website.
These two pieces of footage offer a unique close-up of Bruce’s daily work life.
In the videos, Bruce can be seen approaching large rattlesnakes that have accidentally wound up in people’s homes and picking them up with one smooth scoop.
Although the potentially deadly snakes immediately sense Bruce’s presence and begin threateningly rattling their tail to ward him off, he proceeds with seemingly no care.
Being the long-time professional that he is, Bruce is able to gently pick them up with his tongs – one of which jokingly has googly eyes glued on – and put them in a container.
The dangerous tasks are over within minutes, and Bruce is able to quickly move on to his next rescue after the rattlesnakes presumably get relocated.
“My passion for snakes began over 50 years ago,” Bruce said.
“I grew up in rural Texas, and had plenty of spare time on my hands,” he added.
Thinking back to his childhood, Bruce said: “Back then kids seemed to have much more freedom and roam, and I took full advantage.
“I’d leave my house on the weekends early and be gone all day searching for snakes, and any other creatures I could find.
“My dad was kind enough to build me a huge enclosure and I would constantly have various snakes, lizards and small animals as temporary ‘pets’.
“Fast forward to current days, my passion still remains strong to help save snakes,” Bruce said.
“Snakes rank high when it comes to things humans fear,” he added.
“My goal is simple: Help with unwanted snakes and provide education to those willing to learn.”
