A Florida father and son found an eastern diamondback rattlesnake outside their home; wildlife officers removed it in 30 minutes

A plump eastern diamondback rattlesnake turned a day of lawn work into a moment a Florida family will not forget. Paul Tremblay and his son Brandon stepped outside their Gulf Cove home in Charlotte County and found the venomous snake right in front of them. Their decision to call emergency officials rather than handle the animal offers a useful lesson for every Florida homeowner. This article explains what happened, what wildlife experts say about eastern diamondback behaviour, why snake sightings near homes are becoming more common in Southwest Florida, and how to respond if you meet one.How Paul and Brandon Tremblay found an eastern diamondback rattlesnake outside their Gulf Cove homeLawn work was no longer the priority when Charlotte County resident Paul Tremblay and his son Brandon stepped outside and came across a plump eastern diamondback rattlesnake right in front of their Gulf Cove home. The Cool Down, which reported the encounter on 11 October 2026 based on WINK News coverage, says the pair did not expect anything like it. Paul told WINK News they were "genuinely shocked," adding that it is simply not something you expect to see. The family also recorded the encounter and shared the footage with the outlet. Brandon told WINK News that snakes typically don't bother him much, but seeing this one was definitely a little scary. Their reactions will feel familiar to anyone who has ever met a wild animal unexpectedly.What to do when an eastern diamondback rattlesnake shows up near your Florida homeSpotting a rattlesnake near your front door is the kind of surprise that sends a pulse racing, yet what you do next matters far more than the shock itself. In Southwest Florida, the eastern diamondback is a native neighbour, and encounters are becoming more common as communities grow. Knowing who to call, how these snakes behave, and why sightings are increasing can turn a frightening moment into a manageable one. This article walks through a recent encounter, explains what a local naturalist wants residents to understand, and offers practical steps for sharing space with one of the state's misunderstood reptiles.How a Florida father and son safely handled a rattlesnake by calling the sheriff's emergency linePaul and Brandon Tremblay chose not to confront the rattlesnake themselves. Instead, they phoned the county sheriff's emergency line, and officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed the animal about 30 minutes later, according to WINK News, as relayed by The Cool Down. The family said the snake was captured safely in roughly half an hour, a fast resolution to what could have been a stressful situation. For readers who live in rattlesnake country, the lesson is straightforward: rather than approaching a venomous animal, make the call and let trained officers take over. Brandon Tremblay told WINK News that the rattlesnake was a beautiful animal and a great part of the local ecosystem, showing that relief and respect can go hand in hand.ALSO READ: Nuclear sites fortified, loyalists rallied: Iran braces for possible US attacksWhy eastern diamondback rattlesnake sightings are rising in Florida and how to give wildlife spaceRanger Rob Howell, a naturalist and environmental educator at Pink Shell Resort, told WINK News that the eastern diamondback is one of Florida's five venomous snakes, yet it is not looking for confrontations with people. He explained that the snake would bite only if it believed you were its food or a threat, so his advice is simple: give it space and leave it alone. Howell also told WINK News that development is contributing to more frequent sightings, and that changing weather can send these snakes searching for shelter from the cold. The Cool Down notes that Southwest Florida sits within the species' native range and that encounters like this happen more often than many people realise. Stay aware, keep your distance, and know whom to call before you need to.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.