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The Snake Hunter in California 2026

Shadow on Concrete Wall
Mark Pelley in Joshua Tree California

California August 2026

In August 2026, Mark the Snake Hunter spent 2 days in Joshua Tree, California. As a last minute arrangement, Mark organised to meet with rattle snake expert Danielle Wall and her (then) trainee Rae Del Blanco. Having never met before except for online, Mark got an Uber out 2 hours from LAX airport and waited in the desert looking like a tourist with all his luggage hoping they would show up as he had no food, water, or transport to return. Thankfully, true to her word, Danielle came with her pick up truck and the adventure began in the deserts of California. 

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Danielle Wall & Rae Del Blanco

Danielle and Rae were fantastic in treating Mark to working with Mojave rattle snakes and one speckled rattle snake. They drove Mark around different parts of the desert to both release caught snakes, and catch one Mojave rattle snake that was at a person's rental property. 

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MOJAVE RATTLE SNAKE

Pictured is a photograph of Mark releasing one of the several Mojave rattle snakes into bushes in the desert. These snakes were found by either Danielle or Rae in person's houses and then we found suitable locations. Such  locations were bushes where there were evidence of extensive rat infestations. Snakes are responsible for rodent control. Before the snakes were caught, they were given a big drink of water and health checked. These snakes were essential to eating rodents to control the environment. 

mojave rattle snake

Catching A Mojave Rattle Snake

Mark The Snake Hunter joined in a ride to a part of Joshua Tree where a landlady needed a snake removed from the front door. There Mark found a juvenile Mojave rattle snake that was curled up. He removed the snake using a hook technique which was later checked, given a lot of water, and safely released into nearby desert bushes. 

Speckled Rattle Snake

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
(Crotalus pyrrhus)

Our final activity was the release of this beautiful South Western Speckled Rattle Snake within the rocky areas of the Joshua Tree National park. These snakes, like other rattle snakes, are highly venomous pit vipers that generally can be bigger in size and are the 'masters of camouflage' blending into the rock like environments in which they're found. Check out Mark's "the Snake Hunter" instagram page to learn more about these snakes and see their videos. 

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