It's Rattlesnake Season In The Miami Area. Officials Say Don't Worry.

It's breeding season for rattlesnakes in the South Florida area, including Miami. Officials say this isn't a cause for concern, however.

"Males are out and about searching for a mate and females are giving birth to live young. All native snakes play an important part in our ecosystem, and should be left alone and admired from a distance," according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in a Facebook post.

As a result, residents are more likely to see a rattlesnake in the summer and fall.

Captain Jeffrey Fob is with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Venom Response Team. He told CBS Miami there are rattlesnake populations near SW 152nd Street in the Pinelands, which is near Zoo Miami. Capt. Fob said the snakes "don't disturb anyone."

He also mentioned a rattlesnake sighting last week near SW 344th Street in Miami-Dade County.

CBS Miami reported that the slender reptiles mostly live in undeveloped lands south of Homestead. There are some in the Everglades, too.

Rattlesnake bites in the county are rare, Capt. Fob said, and the snakes "are actually quite beautiful."

“We are more likely to die in a car accident than be injured by wildlife here,” the captain added.

FWC encourages residents to reach out to them for questions or concerns about this time of year.

Photo: Getty Images