{"id":543,"date":"2019-03-07T13:13:17","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T20:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rattlesnakesolutions.com\/snakeblog\/?p=543"},"modified":"2019-03-07T13:13:20","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T20:13:20","slug":"wildflower-bloom-means-more-rattlesnake-encounters-but-not-for-the-reasons-youd-think%ef%bb%bf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rattlesnakesolutions.com\/snakeblog\/rattlesnake-safety\/wildflower-bloom-means-more-rattlesnake-encounters-but-not-for-the-reasons-youd-think%ef%bb%bf\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildflower Bloom Means More Rattlesnake Encounters, But Not For the Reasons You\u2019d Think\ufeff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Going out to photograph Arizona\u2019s spectacular wildflower display is irresistable! The entire desert is beginning to bloom. As more people travel into the desert to see flowers, more people will have rattlesnake encounters.
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The weather is perfect for hiking. It\u2019s also perfect for snakes to move. Wildflower photographers may cross paths with rattlesnakes that are trying to complete their springtime tasks. Is this something to worry about? Not really.<\/strong>
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\"Sidewinder
Sidewinder in the flowers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More People + Same Number of Snakes = More Snake Encounters<\/strong>
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If you\u2019re seeing an increase in snake photographs on Facebook and Instagram, it doesn’t mean that there are more snakes than usual. It just means that there are more people outside. Snakes don\u2019t want to see people, but they need to use this valuable time before temperatures rise. Rattlesnakes will seem more active because more people are accidentally encountering them during the snakes\u2019 normal springtime behavior.
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Rattlesnakes don\u2019t have a passion for photographing flowers, but they do love springtime. It\u2019s the time of the year<\/a> when they begin taking short trips away from their dens to hunt, mate, thermoregulate, and more. Basically, the more Instagram-addicted people are out there taking yoga pose pics with the flowers, the more snake encounters there will be, even if the number of snakes is exactly the same.
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\"Speckled
Speckled rattlesnake underneath a plant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hikers and photographers may interrupt rattlesnakes travelling across trails. In these situations, the snake might choose to freeze and blend into their surroundings. Snakes don\u2019t realize that their camouflage doesn\u2019t work on open paths.
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Snakes see people as predators and don\u2019t want to be eaten, so they might coil or \u201cstand up\u201d in a defensive pose. Rattlesnakes (and several species of nonvenomous snakes) may rattle their tail to scare you away. In most cases, the rattlesnake will retreat when it feels safe enough to do so.
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Rattlesnakes may also be encountered while they\u2019re basking. They can use vegetation as partial cover. The combination of shade and sunlight helps them achieve the perfect temperature. They generally bask at the edge of rocks, bushes, dried brush and other plants.
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They may be hunting in those areas as well. An increase in flowers can encourage rodents to run around gathering food. Rattlesnakes are hungry after winter brumation and would love a tasty rodent snack.
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Does this mean that you should stay inside? Not at all. Go out and enjoy the flowers! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Western
Western diamondback rattlesnake hiding in the grass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to stay rattlesnake safe during the flower bloom:<\/strong>
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Rattlesnakes do not want to encounter people. We look like giant predators to them. This is why they act defensively towards us. They will not chase you and they cannot jump.
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Here are several rattlesnake safety tips for wildflower photographers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n