This guide is a Phoenix metro resident’s go-to for identifying snakes in everyday places: your backyard, a trail, or even indoors. It gets right to the point: What is it? Is it dangerous? What should be done … or can I just ignore it?
This isn’t your average field guide, drawing on data from thousands of snake relocations over more than 20 years, encounters from homeowners and hikers, and researchers’ first-hand observations. We’ve tailored the information to reflect real-life comments and questions from people just like you, focusing on situations and species that are most relevant to everyday life.
For instance, we discuss Shovelnosed Snakes and Coralsnakes side-by-side, not because of scientific classification, but because it’s a practical pairwise comparison. Similarly, the rarely-seen Glossysnake is reserved for latter pages, despite its resemblance to the more commonly seen Sonoran Gophersnake. We don’t list the world record size; we give the biggest that people may actually see.
Some illustrations are adjusted to highlight key identification features, making it easier to identify an animal without counting scales or getting too close. This guide is designed to be a practical, easy-to-use tool for all who may encounter snakes, regardless of whether they like them.
Each species and topic includes a QR code to go to more information, which will continue to expand over time. The goal: someone may see an unknown snake on a path and just want to know what it is, but has access down the rabbit hole to depth of information on its natural history, photographs, videos, and much more.
How to get it?
The best part: we are distributing it for free. As these cost more to print than a simple flyer, our plan is to offer it to the community as a self-sustaining resource. Here’s the plan:
- A simple advertisement for our Rattlesnake Fencing system as the last page of the booklet
- Offered for sale online, at a price that covers postage, printing, and taxes
- Offered for free at presentations and events, with a donation box that will go entirely to printing the next run
- Given free to all new rattlesnake fence consultation clients
- Given free to many* snake relocation clients (we have some distribution details to sort out)
- Available for pick-up at some local businesses, TBD (if you want to be one of these businesses, email bryan@rattlesnakesolutions.com)
Available for pickup at:
Local Jonny’s Tavern & Cafe
6033 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
With an initial run of just 3000 copies, we will order a larger run as soon as funds are generated to match the print and shipping costs, and do the same.
More information coming soon!