A Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake as they typically appear around Camelback Mountain in central Phoenix. It’s a surprise to many that multiple species of rattlesnakes are still present within a heavily populated urban area, but they continue to thrive there. Excessive heat from a surrounding sea of pavement makes life difficult in the summer, however, which […]

An Arizona Black Rattlesnake from the western end of their range. Locals in the area often refer to them as “timber rattlers”, though actual Timber Rattlesnakes are a distinct species that is not found in the western states. This one was found on a relatively cold, rainy weekend in August, active on the surface just […]

A big Rainforest Hognosed Pitviper from the high forests of Guatemala a couple of years go. These are impressive little snakes that are nearly invisible in forest floor leaf litter.

The weird little face of a strange little snake. The Spotted Leafnosed Snake can be found in natural desert areas. Often, they are the only snakes moving on hot, dry, full moon nights in May and June, on the hunt for lizard eggs. The specialized scale on its nose, shaped like a leaf, helps it […]

A Blacktailed Rattlesnake from central Arizona. These snakes are often a green shade, leading to misidentification as a Mojave Rattlesnake (which, ironically, are seldom green in many areas). These are large rattlesnakes that live in mountainous terrain, commonly seen by hikers but rarely by homeowners.

We saw this Panamint Rattlesnake crossing a road with a bulge from a recent successful hunt. It had likely just happened, and we were seeing the animal moving back to cover. Typically, immediately after a rattlesnake eats, it will spend time moving in and out of cover to bask and digest, and be protected from […]

Newborn Banded Rock Rattlesnakes resting just outside of the retreat where they were born a few days prior.

A Colorado Desert Sidewinder, one of the three subspecies of sidewinders in Arizona. This one was found in the hot, sandy desert of the southwestern corner of the state.

A Sonoran Desert Tortoise cruising around near one of its burrows. These animals dig out and widen natural caves in caliche or under boulders that they will use for a lifetime. These are protected by law … but did you know you can adopt one as a family pet, for free? If you have a […]

A Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake emerges from its aestivation den for a short time to drink rainwater from its scales. In a rare pre-monsoon summer rain, every drop is needed. Hydrophobic keeled scales collect rain droplets, which the snake drinks over time.