Local snake wrangler advising others to be careful

Texas is home to more than 100 different species and subspecies of snakes, only a few of those are potentially dangerous to humans. Crossing paths with a venomous snake may not be at the top of your to-do list this summer. A local snake wrangler says he's recently captured several rattlesnakes throughout Austin and, advises people to be extra careful.

It wasn't your typical porch pirate.

On Tuesday home surveillance video captured in Converse, Texas shows an unwanted visitor hanging out. The slithering snake woke up the house by ringing the doorbell and after a couple attempts made its way out. 

Local snake wrangler Harry Downing says situations like this are common. "Rat snakes especially are really good climbers and a lot of times people get bird nests in their doorways or entry ways those and rat snakes will climb up and eat the eggs in the nest," said Downing. 

He's the guy locals are calling when they got a snake problem on their hands. 

Downing says we're currently in snake season and so far he's made several house calls. "A rattlesnake won't attack you unless you invade its personal space," said Downing. 

Recently, he removed a six-foot rattle snake from a home in Travis County. "They are very still and look like rocks they blend in very well with the surroundings. You really want to keep your eyes open when you are walking," said Downing. 

Experts say snakes can't survive in extreme summer heat for too long and are rarely found out in the open. They say shaded areas offer cooler resting places for them. "Snakes can't regulate their own body temperatures so their kind of dependent on their environment so when it gets too hot they tend to move to shady spots sometimes that means garages," said Downing. 

Downing says the number one rule to follow if you come across a snake is to stay away. "The best thing you can do is call a professional and have it humanly removed," said Downing. "Worst thing you can do is try to move them yourself or try to kill them."

Downing also advises not to leave food out that might attract mice like bird seeds because mice, in turn, will attract snakes.