'BG Snake Removal in service!': Brittney Griner encounters rattlesnake at her Phoenix home

Madeline Nguyen, Arizona Republic
·2 min read
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Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner ran into a surprise encounter with a rattlesnake at her Phoenix home on Thursday morning.

The WNBA All-Star took to her Instagram story to showcase a photo of the snake slithering over her steps with the caption “Good morning Arizona. Now I wonder did I step over him 1 or 2 today. Now it’s time to remove him.” After posting a series of stories depicting her efforts to contain the rattlesnake, Griner finally showed it sitting in a black plastic container with its tongue out.

About an hour after the first story was published, Griner’s final post in the saga depicted the container with a lid on, presumably holding the snake.

“BG Snake Removal in service!” Griner wrote in the caption. “Taking clients in the valley. Lol.”

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner laughs as she looks on from the seats as players warm up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner laughs as she looks on from the seats as players warm up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.

What to do if you find a rattlesnake in your house

Determined to catch the snake, Griner used various tools to contain it, as shown in an Instagram story she posted with the caption “We can do it the nice way or the hard way. You pick sir." While she was successful in catching the creature, experts advise that homeowners never attempt to handle or capture rattlesnakes they encounter on their properties.

Upon meeting a rattlesnake, homeowners should remain calm and prioritize their safety. It’s safest to back away slowly and stay six feet or more away from the snake. Never run or make any loud noises or sudden movements, as this could startle these creatures, which are typically nonaggressive until frightened.

A rattlesnake will warn before it bites in self-defense by emitting a rattling sound from its tail or coiling up with its head raised. Homeowners should obey these warnings by immediately backing away from the snake and giving it a clear path to escape. Not only would attempting to kill the snake be unnecessary, but it would also be dangerous.

Once a safe distance from the creature, homeowners should turn to a wildlife removal and rescue service, like Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, or a professional snake removal company to move any rattlesnakes from their properties.

Madeline Nguyen is a breaking news reporter for The Republic. Reach her at Madeline.Nguyen@gannett.com or 480-619-0285. Follow her on X @madelineynguyen.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury star Brittney Griner runs into rattlesnake at Phoenix home