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.

A young Blacktailed Rattlesnake breaking position to hide in rocks. We’d accidentally disturbed it by showing up, but it held this pose long enough for us to back off and get a few photos. This is in a remote canyon far from any road, and being bothered by people isn’t a regular thing for the […]

A colorful Banded Rock Rattlesnake from southeastern Arizona. These small rattlesnakes, when encountered, almost always quickly flee. This may be accompanied by a high pitched rattle that could easily be ignored as a cicada, or not heard at all. An interesting note on these snakes: of all of the ranchers, hunters, and cabin owners I’ve […]

One of several Rainbow Boas we found moving through the layers of leaf litter covering the ground in the Peruvian Amazon. Back home, these are popular pets. In the wild, they’re every bit as colorful … but typically highly defensive and quick to bite.

A Great Basin Rattlesnake from northern Arizona, showing off its sharply patterned face. These are a wide-spread rattlesnake species, found throughout the Great Basin Desert in the western US, and some transitional habitat with influence from Mohave and Sonoran deserts, and high-elevation pine forest. Personally, I think the rosy-cheeked variety often seen in the Arizona […]

A dull Arizona Ridgenosed Rattlesnake found out at night in madrean oak forest of southeastern Arizona. Nocturnal activity is common with this species during the humid, hot nights of monsoon season.

A young Blacktailed Rattlesnake moving up from the rock wall where it lives to catch morning sun in southeastern Arizona. Structures like this provide a range of options, allowing the snake to very precisely control its temperature – warming when it needs to, and retreating to shade as the day gets hot.

A Grand Canyon Rattlesnake from the northernmost part of Arizona.

A Nose Horned Viper we found in Greece a few years ago.