A Sonoran Desert Tortoise cruising around the rocky outcrop it calls home each Winter. It shares the space with a few Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes and at least one Gila Monster … and a beehive.
Sonoran Desert Tortoise On The Move
Tag: winter
Western Diamondback Out in the Rain
One of many Western Diamondback Rattlesnake out in the rain on a cold December night. Being warm is great and all, but water drives activity in the desert.
You may see us issue a statement from time to time to give a heads up before going to firewood piles, etc. These events are largely predictable, where rattlesnakes behave in ways that are surprising to most people, and we may assume it’s not possible to see a rattlesnake. When you see something like that from us, know that it’s from a lot of data and getting out of bed in the middle of the night in December to stand around in the rain waiting to see if snakes come out 🙂
Blacktailed Rattlesnake At A Den
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.
