National Recreation officials in the Santa Monica Mountains have discovered and seized 60 snake traps in Decker Canyon. Poachers are targeting native species, including California king snakes, rosy boa constrictors, and rattlesnakes, for illegal black market sales. Collecting these snakes from national parkland is prohibited, and the captured animals often carry parasites and diseases.
The traps consist of plywood boards with holes or catchment devices designed to capture wild snakes. Surveillance footage has recorded the poachers, though they remain at large. They frequently attempt to sell the snakes to local pet stores, such as Exotic Life Fish and Reptiles in Chatsworth, Calif. Rusty Paramonov, owner of Exotic Life Fish and Reptiles, emphasized the importance of leaving wild snakes in their natural habitat. He stated, ‘I tell them, ‘This is a wild snake, so this snake belongs in the wild.’ These days, you know, we don’t need to capture animals anymore. We really don’t. There’s plenty of captive breeding going on.’ If hikers encounter plywood boards in the Santa Monica Mountains, they are advised not to disturb them and to report the finding by calling (661) 723-3620.
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