Image: Wikipedia
The Cool Down, which reported the encounter on 11 October 2026 based on WINK News coverage, says the pair did not expect anything like it.
Paul told WINK News they were “genuinely shocked,” adding that it is simply not something you expect to see. Brandon told WINK News that snakes typically don’t bother him much, but seeing this one was definitely a little scary. A plump eastern diamondback rattlesnake turned a day of lawn work into a moment a Florida family will not forget. Paul Tremblay and his son Brandon stepped outside their Gulf Cove home in Charlotte County and found the venomous snake right in front of them. Their decision to call emergency officials rather than handle the animal offers a useful lesson for every Florida homeowner. This article explains what happened, what wildlife experts say about eastern diamondback behaviour, why snake sightings near homes are becoming more common in Southwest Florida, and how to respond if you meet one. Lawn work was no longer the priority when Charlotte County resident Paul Tremblay and his son Brandon stepped outside and came across a plump eastern diamondback rattlesnake right in front of their Gulf Cove home. The family also recorded the encounter and shared the footage with the outlet.
Ranger Rob Howell, a naturalist and environmental educator at Pink Shell Resort, told WINK News that the eastern diamondback is one of Florida’s five venomous snakes, yet it is not looking for confrontations with people. Howell also told WINK News that development is contributing to more frequent sightings, and that changing weather can send these snakes searching for shelter from the cold. He explained that the snake would bite only if it believed you were its food or a threat, so his advice is simple: give it space and leave it alone. The Cool Down notes that Southwest Florida sits within the species’ native range and that encounters like this happen more often than many people realise. Stay aware, keep your distance, and know whom to call before you need to.