A Speckled Rattlesnake from the Belmont Mountains, west of Phoenix. These rattlesnakes in this range often lack much of the characteristic speckling within the eye, leaving solid-colored, light grey or pale white eyes. A typical response when we post a snake from this area is something like “it’s ready to shed skin”, though that is not at all the case.
A California Kingsnake I saw crossing a road near my house. I was out looking for baby Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes to move off the roadway, which were out in force that night. I think this kingsnake and I were doing the same thing, though hoping for different outcomes. I moved it to the side of the road and wished it luck.
A red-hued Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake from Phoenix, Arizona. Its red coloration is typical of the local phenotype, which may include many variations of reds, orange, purple, and all shades in between.
These snakes are common in popular hiking areas, but are not an issue for people. Considering the hundreds of people that visit area trailheads each weekend during the peak of these animals’ activity, bites are incredibly uncommon. Hikers can keep that status by staying on trails, not wearing headphones or texting while walking, and keeping dogs on leash (it’s the law, too).
A female Western Diamondback Rattlesnake pausing on a bit near a large bush where she likely lives. These are the most common rattlesnake, if not snake, seen by hikers and homeowners in the Phoenix area.
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.
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.
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 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.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake on a hot night time survey of a county park. Thermal cameras show snakes selecting the coolest surfaces in the area to rest in and against – there is possibly more to this, which we are looking into.
An Arizona Black Rattlesnake in ambush in the first sun of the day. The flat rock is on the only, narrow path to a natural water hole – the only water in the region. Any small mammal wanting to visit it would have to jump across this rock. This is likely something this snake knows very well by now, an example of how much can go into the selection of a hunting position. If I may anthropomorphize a bit, I’d call it strategic.
