Bermuda residents are being urged to check yards carefully after authorities received a credible report of a possible rattlesnake sighting in Southampton.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment said the report came from the Gibbs Hill Road area. According to The Royal Gazette, teams from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo are involved in coordinated monitoring and response efforts.
No injuries had been reported, but officials said the search is being treated seriously. Authorities are also sourcing antivenom and additional protective equipment as a precaution for responders if the animal is found.
Yards, sheds, pipes, boards, debris, and dense vegetation should be approached carefully when a venomous snake is suspected nearby, especially around homes with children, pets, or limited visibility near outdoor storage areas.
Officials Say To Call 911, Not Approach It
Officials said anyone who believes they have seen the snake should immediately call 911 and keep a safe distance.
Residents were told not to approach, capture, or harm the animal. If it can be done safely, they should maintain visual contact from a distance until authorities arrive.
Pet Owners Are Being Told To Stay Cautious
The ministry advised residents in the surrounding area to remain alert and continue following the safety guidance already issued.
Pet owners were specifically told to keep animals indoors or closely supervised. Dogs and cats can move into grass, brush, pipes, or debris before an owner sees what may be hidden there.
The Public Risk Is Described as Low
Health Minister Kim Wilson said medical resources, including antivenom, are being prepared as a precaution.
Wilson said the risk to the public remains low, but residents should follow the safety guidance while the search continues.
Residents should avoid reaching blindly into vegetation, under boards, into pipes, beneath debris, or inside enclosed spaces where a snake could be concealed. Any possible sighting should be reported to emergency services with the location, direction of travel, and a safe description of where the animal was last seen.