Temperatures are finally coming down and the air in the morning has just a little bit of cool. And, being from Arizona, we’re all pretty excited about that. Not just people but wildlife as well, including rattlesnakes. We are about to enter one of the periods with the most random rattlesnake encounters.
Here’s a summary of what rattlesnakes will be doing this fall, why they do it, and how you can best avoid an unexpected encounter. Note: This applies to Arizona south of the rim. In other locations, timing and behavior will differ.
“Why are rattlesnakes more active in the fall? I thought they loved heat.”
While temperatures were lethally hot in this record-breaking year, rattlesnakes were doing about the same thing we were: hiding. They spend a lot of time in one location, tucked away and only coming out at night to move short distances. The locations the snakes choose to hide away are very specific, which means that rattlesnake encounters are more predictable in some areas.
But now that nights are cool and daytime reasonable, they are out and about with a lot to do before winter sets in. Rattlesnakes need to find prey and water and start their often-long journey to the dens where they will spend the winter. They also may mate during this period, adding even more activity.
This all means that rattlesnakes are on the move in less predictable locations, regardless of the presence of attracting factors. Random encounters with rattlesnakes of all age classes are highest during the fall.
Baby rattlesnakes can be just about anywhere in the fall.
In addition to the adult rattlesnakes, who may have just given birth and need to move and eat, there are a huge number of baby rattlesnakes trying to score their first meal. These newborns have to accomplish a lot in their first couple of months. They must find prey, succeed in hunting, and establish the beginning of their home range.
While this may be informed by scent and interaction with other rattlesnakes, these little ones are on their own. As a result, they often show up in unexpected places. Being under a foot long, they can be easily missed.
During this time, many of them are eaten by predators, fail to find food in time, pick bad locations for hibernation, are killed by cars or the sun, and countless other threats. Many will not survive to the next year, meaning that right now is the highest number of rattlesnakes out there in any given year.
When are rattlesnakes most active during the fall?
During these cooler, transition times, rattlesnakes become crepuscular, becoming most active in the twilight transitions in the morning and at night. They often bask and hunt in the morning, hide away during much of the day, then leave again as the sun sets to travel longer distances.
Throughout September and early October, the first hour after sunset will see a surge in rattlesnake movement. It slows overnight, but rattlesnakes can be active even as temperatures dip into the 50s. Then again in the morning, rattlesnakes will be out in relatively random locations, typically near temporary hiding spots.
In late October through about the second week of November, rattlesnake activity changes a little bit, with less morning movement. Starting in the late afternoon, around 3 pm, they make large straight-line movements towards den locations. This will carry through and peak in the first hour after sunset, then largely stop.
By the third week of November, most rattlesnakes are where they intend to be for the next few months. So while encounters will still happen, their nature and cause are very different.
What can pet owners do about rattlesnakes during the fall?
The situation of dogs with rattlesnakes is very different than it is with people. Rattlesnake bites to dogs are typically on the muzzle and face, meaning it is a secondary encounter. Rattlesnakes don’t attack dogs; dogs go after snakes, and the snakes defend themselves. The difference is intention, and this means that much can be done.
For any dog owner living where rattlesnakes are, here are some essential actions:
- Get your dog rattlesnake avoidance trained. We recommend our friends at Rattlesnake Ready in Cave Creek.
- Walk the yard before letting the dogs out in the morning and at night. Just a quick perimeter check can reduce the majority of snake bites.
- Never leave dogs unattended in the backyard at dusk or in the first hour after. This is when rattlesnakes are most active, and the majority of bites will occur.
- Contact 24-hour emergency vets in the area ahead of time, and have a plan. Be sure to ask if they treat with antivenom. If they say no, find a different one. Doing this work in advance can save time in the event of a bite, which can greatly affect outcomes.
“What can be done to protect my family from rattlesnakes in the fall?”
Unlike dogs, people can learn and change their behavior with new information. It’s unlikely that you’d intentionally stick your nose on a rattlesnake, so that leaves accidental bites as the situation to avoid.
Here are a few things you can do on a single Saturday that would reduce the chances of you or a loved one taking a rattlesnake bite:
- Keep flashlights near all doors, and have a rule that shoes and lights are to be used at all times without exception.
- Clean up any debris in the yard, remove hiding spots, reduce clutter, and do any maintenance necessary to make the yard less snake-friendly.
- Consider having a professional visit to inspect the property, make recommendations, and evaluate if the property may be a candidate for rattlesnake fencing.
- Continue becoming knowledgeable about snakes in the area via passive means. We recommend joining a snake identification Facebook group to get a slow flow of information. Over time, this can help immensely with how you feel about the situation.
- Keep this number somewhere handy: 480-237-9975 (Phoenix area) or 520-308-6211 (Tucson area).
Learn about the snakes in your area:
For a full list and more details of rattlesnake activity during the fall and steps you can take to be safe, take a look at this article:
