Wichita Falls bombarded with rattlesnakes as rat population increases

Snakes are showing up in herds in north Texas due to an increase in rodents.

The Wichita Falls Times Record News reports animal control collected four rattlesnakes over the weekend and several pets have been attacked. City health department workers told the newspaper they believe rat and mice populations increased because of excess rainfall and increased crop yields.

As such, the city of Wichita Falls has warned residents to be on the lookout for snakes, including rattlesnakes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports about 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year, killing 10 to 15 people annually. Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and do not prey on humans. The majority of snake bites occur on the hands, feet and ankles.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/The-Texas-town-that-s-bombarded-with-rattlesnakes-9996006.php