Blacktailed Rattlesnake At A Den

Posted on November 10, 2024November 10, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

I found this Blacktailed Rattlesnake with a few others hanging out around a winter den early in 2024. Unlike other rattlesnake overwintering sites in the area, this one does not seem to be shared with the other rattlesnake species that can be found there – just lots of blacktails.

Dens like this have been difficult to pinpoint in environments that are mostly open rock, but over time the specifics have become more apparent and sights like this come easier these days. I’m looking forward to a return visit this spring.

Arizona Black Rattlesnake In An Old Wall

Posted on November 9, 2024November 9, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

I’ve been watching this old Arizona Black Rattlesnake for more than 10 years now, each year returning to the same location to hunt for small animals looking to get a drink at an isolated water hole. The rock wall built by ranchers long ago serves as perfect daytime refugia.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes Group Summer Den

Posted on November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

A group of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes aestivating during the lethal Arizona summer heat in the summer of 2016. In this cave, they can stay consistently cooler than the 115˚F+ daily temperatures outside and survive until monsoon rain brings relief.

Baby Blacktailed Rattlesnake

Posted on November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

Seeing a baby Blacktailed Rattlesnake isn’t especially common. This one was seen in southeastern Arizona just over 10 years ago. As it grows, it’s eye scale will darken, and in this region, the contrast between light and dark will remain just as vibrant. Hopefully today, this animal is still out there somewhere, midway into a long life.

Arizona Black Rattlesnake From Southern Arizona

Posted on November 7, 2024November 7, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

Arizona Black Rattlesnake giving me a reminder to keep my distance and leave it alone. I spotted this one crawling from a small drainage back to tangled debris at the base of a sycamore in southern Arizona.

Arizona Black Rattlesnake From Southern Arizona

Speckled Rattlesnake On A Cold Spring Day

Posted on November 6, 2024November 6, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake resting under a bush on a cool Spring day. With temperatures still in the low 50s at night, this snake sat out overnight waiting for prey to wander by, nearly a quarter mile from its den further up the bajada.

Desert Phase Blacktailed Rattlesnake

Posted on November 5, 2024November 5, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

Blacktailed Rattlesnake showing off the “desert phase” phenotype, typical of lower, hot desert regions where this snake is common in rocky hills and mountains. This chaotic pattern can range from a yellow-green to silver, at times with the pattern degrading to the point of a unicolor appearance. This one is typical for mountains west of Phoenix.

Arizona Black Rattlesnake

Posted on November 2, 2024November 2, 2024 by Bryan Hughes

Arizona Black Rattlesnake from a desert population. Many of the snakes here are all black, missing the white or yellow scales that are typical in the more often photographed locations. This one has just a hint of yellow in some dorsal scales, but is otherwise all black or grey, including the belly.