The lead rattlesnake keeper at Joshua Tree National Park has spoken openly about how she navigates a rapidly changing desert ecosystem and the equally treacherous world of online criticism.
Danielle Wall, 30, works from April to October, fielding requests from people in the area who want snakes removed from their property.
And while the influx of new settlers has skyrocketed demand, she is keenly aware of how the changes are affecting the reptiles.
“The balance is really upset,” Wall said. Los Angeles Times.
In 2020, the pandemic caused dozens of new residents to flock to the Mojave Desert, drawn by low interest rates and a desire for isolation. The investors built new houses and converted some of them into short term rentals, desperate for profits.
Danielle Wall, 30, has earned the title of Joshua Tree’s top rattlesnake fighter.
Wall discovered his passion for snakes after almost running over one in 2018
Demand for their services skyrocketed as investors flocked to the Mojave Desert and built new homes, converting some of them into short-term rentals.
What they didn’t know was that they were entering rattlesnake territory, and as the roar of machinery sent the reptiles running from their burrows, Wall received more than 400 calls, marking his busiest season to date. .
In addition to the disruption of the natural landscape, there were other disadvantages. Decorative plants displaced native species and piles of garbage attracted crows, that feed on endangered desert tortoise hatchlings. The use of rat poison killed birds that would normally control rodent populations.
“In my opinion, it’s a losing battle because people will never stop being so selfish,” Wall said. “But I’m going to spend my little time, my part of life here, just helping people, helping snakes.”
Wall’s life changed when he almost ran over a rattlesnake in 2018. He learned there was no 24/7 local service to relocate the reptiles, as animal control usually He chose to kill them on the spot.
A few days later, Wall found a Facebook post from a woman who wanted to remove a rattlesnake from her property.
“So I said, ‘I have a stick and a bucket, can I try it?'” Wall said.
The relocation was a success and, without further ado, he discovered his passion. Wall dropped out of college to take more calls. After her third season, she quit her day job as a lingerie model to pursue snake fighting full time.
The 30-year-old is not easily convinced, but he still has some fears.
As houses were being built on rattlesnake land, Wall received more than 400 calls that season, his busiest to date.
However, the influx of new settlers meant the delicate ecosystem became disorganized, with rubbish piling up and rat poison wiping out bird species.
Wall’s first snake relocation was done using a stick and bucket. She later dropped out of college and quit her job as a lingerie model to volunteer to help the snakes.
The 30-year-old woman says she’s only afraid of two things: “men and distracted drivers.”
“I always tell people I have two things I’m afraid of: men and distracted drivers, and that’s it,” Wall said.
She has attracted attention (and criticism) for her brand, which she describes as a crop top, shorts and cowboy boots.
“I don’t even look at direct messages anymore,” Wall told US Sun.
‘People constantly ask me when I’m going to have an Onlyfans. The joke is that it would be Only Fangs, just me, tits and snakes. But that’s never going to happen.”
The 30-year-old also lashed out at her critics in a Facebook post.
“The irony that men (and even some women) in the snake field come after me for handling snakes, calling me ALL names… when they have multiple venomous snake bites on their history,” he wrote.
‘I am very aware of what could happen. But please “protect me from myself”, call me stupid, it only fuels the fire. Haters are just that… people behind a screen.
However, this hatred has often escalated into death threats and harassment. Wall shares her location with family and friends before leaving to make a call, fearing someone is using a ruse to lure her into the desert.
He frequently faces criticism for his style of dress and the hate has often escalated into death threats and harassment.
Wall cannot operate as a business under California law and supports himself by renting a house on his property.
Clearly, Wall doesn’t want publicity. He refuses to monetize his Instagram account, which has 100,000 followers.
But this is difficult for companies. It is not allowed to operate as a business under state law and lacks nonprofit status, meaning donations are not tax deductible.
During a season, she will typically foot the bill for her own expenses, which range from $1,000 to $3,000.
In a Facebook post on May 3, Wall announced that he would be holding a ‘birthday fundraiser,’ something he does every year.
‘Gas and truck expenses for 8 months of snake disputes add up! Serpent season #7, year 6, I never got paid a cent!’ she wrote.
Wall supports himself by renting a house on his property and taking on cleaning jobs from time to time. This allows her to continue volunteering her time to the community.
She appears as a guest speaker at primary schools, youth clubs and local events, with one goal in mind: to change the way people perceive snakes.
“I think snakes are nice and just misunderstood, and it sucks that they’re misunderstood,” Wall said.
