The leading rattlesnake fighter in Joshua Tree National Park has opened up about how she navigates a rapidly changing desert ecosystem and the equally treacherous world of online criticism.
Danielle Wall, 30, works from April through October, answering requests from people in the area who want snakes removed from their property.
And while an influx of new settlers has skyrocketed demand, she is all too aware of the impact of change on reptiles.
“The balance is really being disrupted,” Wall told the newspaper LA times.
In 2020, the pandemic sent dozens of new residents flocking to the Mojave Desert, lured by low interest rates and a desire for isolation. Investors built new houses and converted some into short-term rentals, desperate for profit.
Danielle Wall, 30, has earned the title of Joshua Tree’s first rattlesnake fighter
Wall discovered her passion for snakes after almost running over one in 2018
Demand for her services skyrocketed as investors flocked to the Mojave Desert and built new homes, some of which were converted into short-term rentals.
Little did they know they were entering rattlesnake territory — and as rumbling machines sent the reptiles running from their dens, Wall received more than 400 calls, marking her busiest season yet.
In addition to the disruption of the natural landscape, there were other disadvantages. Decorative plantings crowded out native species, and piles of trash attracted ravens, that feed on the young of endangered desert tortoises. The use of rat poison killed birds that would normally keep rodent populations in check.
“In my opinion, it’s all 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 my life here, helping people, helping the snakes.”
Wall’s life changed when she almost ran over a rattlesnake in 2018. She discovered that there was no local 24/7 service to move the reptiles, as animal control usually opted to kill them on the spot.
Just a few days later, Wall came across a Facebook post from a woman who wanted a rattlesnake removed from her property.
“So I said, ‘I have a stick and a bucket, can I try?’ Wall said.
The move was successful and she discovered her 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 wrangling full-time.
The 30-year-old is not easily upset, but still has some anxiety.
When the homes were built on rattlesnake land, Wall received more than 400 calls that season – the busiest yet
However, the influx of new settlers left the fragile ecosystem in disarray, with waste piling up and rat poison killing bird species.
Wall’s first snake move was performed using a stick and bucket. She later dropped out of college and quit her day job as a lingerie model to free up her time helping snakes
The 30-year-old says he is only afraid of two things: ‘men and distracted drivers’
“I always tell people I’m afraid of two things: 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 the DMs anymore,” Wall told the newspaper American sun.
‘People keep asking me when I’m going to have an OnlyFans. The joke is that it would be Only Fangs – just me, boobs 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 of men (and even a few women) in the snake field coming after me for freehandling, calling me ALL the names… when they have multiple venomous snakebites to their credit,” she wrote.
‘I know very well what can happen. But please, “protect me from myself,” call me stupid – just fuels the fire. Haters are simply people behind a screen.”
However, this hatred has often escalated to death threats and stalking. Wall shares her location with family and friends before leaving to make a phone call, fearing someone is using a ruse to lure her into the desert.
She is regularly criticized for her clothing style, and hatred has often escalated into death threats and stalking
Wall is not allowed to operate as a business under California law and supports herself by renting out a house on her property
It is clear that Wall does not want publicity. She refuses to monetize her Instagram account, which has 100,000 followers.
But this proves difficult for the business community. She is not allowed to operate as a business under state law and does not have nonprofit status, meaning donations are not tax deductible.
During a season, she typically foots the bill for her own expenses, which range from $1,000 to $3,000.
In a May 3 Facebook post, Wall announced she would be holding a “birthday fundraiser,” which she does every year.
‘The gas and truck costs during 8 months of snake fight are adding up! Snake season #7, year 6, never charged a cent!’ she wrote.
Wall supports herself by renting out a house on her property and occasionally taking on cleaning jobs. This allows her to continue volunteering her time in the community.
She appears as a guest speaker at local primary schools, youth clubs and events, with one goal in mind: to change the way people perceive snakes.
“I think snakes are nice and just misunderstood, and it sucks to be misunderstood,” Wall said.