Unknown/Other

Our advice will depend on the type of animal you found. If you are not sure what type of reptile to select or you think that the reptile you found may be a pet, please call Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012.

Please do not bring the animal to Project Wildlife without getting further instructions first.

Domestic/Pet Reptile

Sometimes domestic (pet) reptiles are found in the wild because they have escaped their home or have been abandoned. You can often tell the difference between domestic reptiles and wild reptiles by their colors and patterns.

Most wild reptiles found in San Diego County have colors that allow them to blend in with their environment.

Domestic reptiles have brighter colors and patterns.

Project Wildlife does not treat domestic reptiles. If you need help with a domestic reptile, please follow this link to San Diego Humane Society's Lost and Found page for further assistance.

If you are not sure whether the reptile is domestic or wild, call Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012 for further guidance.

Turtle or Tortoise

There are only two species of turtle and tortoise that Project Wildlife can admit for rehabilitation because we are only permitted to take in and treat native species.

The Pacific pond turtle (or Western pond turtle) is the only turtle species native to Southern California that lives in water.

The desert tortoise is the only tortoise native to Southern California.

In addition to being found in the wild, these animals can be owned by individuals or organizations with the correct permits, so it's important to determine if the turtle or tortoise is wild or domestic (a pet) before bringing them in for care. For help determining this, please call Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012.

It is also possible that if the animal is taken from their natural environment (e.g., removed from a state park, etc.), Project Wildlife will not be able to rehabilitate and release the turtle or tortoise because of state laws. If the wild turtle or tortoise appears healthy and uninjured, please leave them where they are.

If you have found an injured or ill wild turtle or tortoise, we recommend bringing them to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation.

If you have other concerns regarding turtles or tortoises, please call Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012 for assistance.

If you believe you’ve found a domestic (pet) turtle or tortoise, please visit San Diego Humane Society’s Lost and Found page for more information.

Please do not bring the turtle or tortoise to Project Wildlife without getting further instructions.

Rattlesnake Warning

If your situation does not inovolve a rattlesnake, please click NEXT (>) to continue.

If your situation involves a rattlesnake, we recommend calling Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012 before taking any action. Bites from a rattlesnake can be deadly, so do not attempt to handle or approach the animal. We will work with you to confirm the species from a safe distance and make a plan.

Injury or Illness

We recommend bringing this animal to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation.  If we find no treatment is required, we may ask you to return the animal to where you found them. We rely on members of the public to capture and deliver wildlife to our center to ensure our limited resources are reserved for true emergencies. Thank you for helping by transporting this animal to us! 

Click NEXT (>) for safe capture and drop-off information.

Other concern not listed

Your question may be too specific or uncommon to cover in a self-help form, or you accidentally chose the wrong answer to a previous question.

You can try finding an answer via these methods:

• Restart the self-help form.
• Restart the reptile module. 
• Search our website.
• Email us a info@sdhumane.org (for non-urgent matters only)
• Call us at 619-299-7012 (for urgent wildlife matters not covered by this self-help form)

Caught in trap

Your approach will vary depending on the type of trap the lizard or snake is stuck in. Be mindful of your safety and do not place your hands or body in front of animals who can bite. Read the instructions below, and if safely able to do so, please bring the animal to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation. If we find no treatment is required, we may ask you to return the animal to where you found them.

Glue trap: Cover the remaining exposed glue or adhesive with dirt, leaves, grass, paper, etc. to prevent the animal from becoming more stuck. Do not use oil, soap or otherwise attempt to remove the animal from the glue paper, and do not bathe the animal. To prevent unintentional harm to animals, we urge community members not to use these types of traps.

Snap Trap: If you can safely do so without allowing the animal to escape, restrain the animal securely prior to removing the trap. If you do not feel confident that you can safely remove the animal without causing further injury or escape, bring the animal and trap immediately to Project Wildlife. 

Because glue and snap traps can be harmful or fatal to so many animals, we urge community members not to use these types of traps. If you are having trouble with mice or rats in your home, please see more information about how to humanely prevent rodents at this link.

Click NEXT (>) for safe containment and drop-off information.

Caught in material

Snakes and lizards can squeeze through very small spaces, and this sometimes causes them to become caught in plastic netting or other man-made materials.

If the animal is caught in fencing or netting and unable to move freely, do not attempt to cut the fencing or netting that is in direct contact with the animal. Instead, cover or contain as much of the animal as possible, especially the face. While holding onto the material, cut the area of the fencing or netting entangling the animal free from the rest of the material. Contain the still-entangled animal and bring them to Project Wildlife as soon as possible for evaluation and potential rehabilitation.

If the animal is moving freely but clearly has material around a portion of their body, try to safely capture them and bring the animal to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation. If we find no treatment is required, we may ask you to return the animal to where you found them. To avoid further injury to the animal, please do not try to cut the material off.

Click NEXT (>) for safe containment and drop-off information.

Human or pet safety concern
 

The only reptile in San Diego County that poses a safety concern for humans or pets is the rattlesnake. Gopher snakes are commonly mistaken for rattlesnakes due to their similar coloring. Rattlesnakes should have a distinctive rattle at the end of their tail, while gopher snakes do not. Rattlesnakes also have a wide, bulky triangular-shaped head while gopher snakes tend to have a more slender head.

If your situation involves a rattlesnake, please call Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012. Otherwise, please continue reading.

While snakes may seem scary, they are typically very shy or fearful and will avoid confrontation. When threatened, most snakes are just interested in getting away or being left alone. We recommend simply giving snakes plenty of space, and they will likely leave on their own.

In general, snakes don’t tend to spend much time in any one place unless the conditions are right.  Shelter (rock piles, wood piles, brush, grasses, etc.), warm or sunny basking areas and food sources (rodents) are things that attract snakes. If you want fewer snakes, you can make changes to your landscape to remove these attractants.
 

Capture and Containment

As a safety precaution, wear gloves (latex or gardening) and wash your hands after handling reptiles. Use caution when handling or attempting to contain the animal. Avoid placing any body part near the animal’s mouth.

When attempting to capture snakes, create distance between the snake and yourself by using a long stick, broom handle or snake hook to scoop under the snake or to place a solid container over the snake.

Box and Top 

1. Cover the animal with a sturdy box or plastic storage container with air holes. 
2. Slide a sturdy, flat object along the ground between the box with the animal inside and the ground. 
3. Secure the flat object to the box using tape or bungee cords. Alternatively, you can slowly flip the box and secured flat object so the bottom becomes the top before securing the flat object in place.  
   
   

If you need any guidance on how to safely handle or contain the animal, please call Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012.

Once captured, make sure the container (cardboard box, kennel, plastic storage container, etc.) is secure with a lid and air holes. Be aware that reptiles can squeeze through very small spaces. Keep the animal in a warm (room temperature), quiet area away from people and pets. DO NOT provide food or water. Avoid checking on the animal to prevent escape and unnecessary stress.

Click NEXT (>) for drop-off information.

Location, Hours, and Drop-off Information

San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife program is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except major holidays.  

• If we are open, head to Project Wildlife at the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center located at 5433 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110 or our Ramona Wildlife Center at 18740 Highland Valley Road, Ramona, CA 92065 to drop off the animal. 
  
  
• If we are closed, please wait until we open to drop off the animal. Keep the container in a warm, dark and quiet location away from people and pets. Provide additional heat, such as a heating pad set to “low” under half of container, if location is cooler than room temperature. Do not give the animal food, water or medicine. 
  
  
  • Please do not panic if you must wait overnight to bring the animal to Project Wildlife. Only in very rare cases is waiting overnight the difference between life and death. Leave the animal alone and try not to check on them frequently, as this often results in accidental escape and increased stress. 
    
    
  • Members of the public can only legally keep wildlife contained for 48 hours with the intent of bringing them to a rehabilitator. Keeping wildlife for a longer period of time is illegal and inhumane, and animals who receive care sooner have a better chance for survival. 
    
    
  • If you cannot safely keep the animal overnight, call San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement at 619-299-7012 option 1 for further assistance. 

Thank you for your compassion for wildlife!

Each year, with support from friends like you, our Project Wildlife program cares for more than 10,000 injured, orphaned and ill wild animals.

To make a donation to support our lifesaving work, visit sdhumane.org/helphub.

If you have any questions or need further support, please contact us at 619-299-7012.

Special thank you to our friends at PAWS for this Wildlife Help Hub concept!