Two massive rattlesnakes engaged in combat dancing on a Thousand Oaks street on July 28, transfixing the motorist who filmed them.
Tony D’Amore was driving to work around 9 a.m. Tuesday when he spotted two rattlesnakes at the intersection of Lynn Road and Via Las Brisas in Thousand Oaks.
D’Amore recorded footage of the snakes lifting their bodies several feet off the ground and twisting together.
Experts describe the behavior as a “combat dance” between two male rattlesnakes.
“It was two large rattlesnakes in some kind of show of power,” D’Amore told Storyful, noting that others suggested the behavior could be a combat dance between two males.
“I’ve never seen a rattlesnake do this, or pair of them doing this,” D’Amore said.
Male rattlesnakes engage in ritualized combat displays during mating season.
When competing for access to females, male rattlesnakes engage in a mating dance where each snake tries to be taller than the other.
Sometimes they will smack their necks together and hiss, though this is to demonstrate strength rather than to injure the competitor.
The viral moment comes amid unprecedented rattlesnake activity across California.
The California Poison Control System reported receiving approximately 250 calls involving rattlesnake bites during the first six months of the year.
Three people in California have died from rattlesnake bites during that timeframe.
Julian Hernandez, 25, died after being bitten while mountain biking at Quail Hill Trailhead in Irvine on Feb. 1.
Gabriela Bautista, 46, died five days after being bitten while hiking at Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks on March 14.
A 78-year-old woman died two days after being bitten multiple times on rural property in Redwood Valley on April 8.
Three encounters have been fatal that we’re aware of so far this year, which is highly unusual and deeply concerning,” said Rais Vohra, medical director for the Fresno/Madera Division of CPCS.
Vohra said the state typically sees an average of one rattlesnake-related death annually, while nationwide figures range from five to 10 each year.
Experts attribute the surge to record-breaking heat.
A spring heat wave that began in early March accelerated snake emergence, according to the Biothreats Emergence, Analysis and Communications Network.
A recent heat spike is driving venomous reptiles out of dormancy weeks ahead of schedule, leading to a surge in encounters across the region.
The record-breaking heat wave currently roasting Southern California has pushed rattlesnake season into high gear earlier than usual. Residents should expect increased sightings in residential areas and near paved surfaces, which snakes use to regulate their body temperature.
Authorities recommend carrying a fully charged phone and hiking with a companion. Tell someone where you’re hiking and when you expect to return. Stay on clear trails and avoid tall grass and dense brush. Wear boots and long pants.
If you encounter a rattlesnake, back away slowly and give the animal space; most bites occur when a person tries to move or kill the snake.
The video of D’Amore’s encounter has been viewed by hundreds of thousands online, drawing attention to safety concerns.
A viral video out of Thousand Oaks draws major safety concerns surrounding rattlesnake sightings in Southern California.
Wildlife officials continue monitoring the situation as summer heat persists.
Experts say sightings and dangerous encounters are happening earlier and more frequently than usual in 2026.