Snake Removal Updates for Early December 2023

We’re still predictably a bit slow, but of course there’s lots to catch up on and still a few snake removal calls a day. As always, if you need help, give us a call:

24/7 Snake Removal & Prevention:

Phoenix-metro: 480-237-9975

Tucson-metro: 520-308-6211

This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found in October, taking advantage of a shady spot offered by the broom. Any shade is good shade, and this rattlesnake may have kept on crawling without it.
This little California Kingsnake call came in as it was spotted disappearing into a crack between a home and the driveway. Marissa was able to get it out and help this little snake to a safe spot.
Bucket o’ Snakes from a Scottsdale backyard. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was discovered an overhang by a pest control company during some rodent-proofing work, and then saw the two Sonoran Gophersnakes using the same location. Nick was able to get them out safely and help them to another area. It’s commonly believed that gophersnakes eat rattlesnakes or in some way repel them – this is not the true. Gophersnakes may compete with them for prey and have some superficial suppressive effect, but it would be hard to say that this would directly relate to fewer rattlesnake encounters. And while there are a handful of records of them eating young rattlesnakes, these are not generally considered snake eaters. Kingsnakes, coachwhips, and whipsnakes DO eat rattlesnakes regularly, however. I am often at events where an old timer will tell me we’re full of it because he “seent it with his own eyes!”, but then proceeds to show me a photograph of a coachwhip, or is otherwise unaware of what a coachwhip is, etc. Colloquial diversity in many areas is limited to just a few types: “rattlers”, “bullsnakes”, “kingsnakes, and “red racer” – anything else is a considered a hybrid bullsnake of some sort. This topic of what does and does not eat a rattlesnake has generated some really interesting conversations over the years 🙂
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake got around some DIY snake fencing and found a rabbit. After eating it, the snake was no longer able to get through the gaps in the fence and became stuck. Thankfully it was seen and Nick went out to help get it to a better spot … rabbit and all.
This Sonoran Gophersnake was originally called in as a rattlesnake on a shaded patio in Scottsdale. Nick was called out to help it find a little different spot and become an educational opportunity.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found under patio furniture in Scottsdale. The shaded areas are useful to rattlesnakes for the same reason they are to people: a place to keep cool.

Arizona Snake Removals for October 2023

This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was spotted late at night in a Cave Creek backyard. By the time we got there, it had moved around the front for curbside pickup.
This little Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was cruising around a backyard in Ahwatukee a few weeks ago, possibly unable to have found a suitable winter den. Marissa helped it get to the perfect place (not in the yard!)
This Sonoran Gophersnake was hanging out at an apartment complex in the bushes. It was super yellow compared to the typical brownish individuals we find in the area! Relocated nearby to help it avoid possibly dangerous (for the snake) encounters with humans.
Even Marissa missed this one, walking past it a few times before spotting the snake on a recent property inspection in Casa Grande. Captured and relocated safely.
Halloween decorations, even little ones, can make a corner of a doorway even more appealing to a snake looking to hide on its way to its winter den.
Derek caught this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in a courtyard near Tucson. It was well hidden in the plant, but a little water from a nearby garden hose convinced it to come out. Relocated safely to a suitable situation within its estimated homerange.

Rattlesnake Removals for November 2023

Things slow down considerably in November, as expected. By now, rattlesnakes are more or less in the places they intend to spend the winter. There are of course, still sightings, but the nature of these is quite different. If a rattlesnake is seen at a home this time of year, it has likely been there for awhile already, and would stay until March or so. This can also make relocation more difficult, as we must search carefully for a suitable replacement den, which requires a high level of knowledge of the animal’s natural history. This is one more reason why rattlesnake relocation is best left to professionals.

Here are just a handful of our November relocations:

This Sonoran Desert Toad was seen a few days before and showed up again in this old water feature. After we were called out to capture and relocate it, it was drained to prevent future visits.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake thought this trench was a nice little humid spot for a nap, but the homeowners disagreed. It was relocated safely and responsibly.
A home in a large desert tract had a visitor, seen over the past few days. After it appeared again by the front door, the homeowner called it in for relocation. It has been denning in the area, likely in an opening in the faux rock facade of the home. It’s a common misconception this time of year that rattlesnakes are searching for warm places – they are at the right places, which isn’t necessarily warm. In the low desert, moisture retention is a major factor in den site selection, and they often choose areas that are stable over one that is warmer. This is one of many factors that come into play when selecting a release site.

Arizona Snake Removal Updates for September

24/7 Snake Removal & Rattlesnake Prevention:

More snake removals from our snake removal service areas in Phoenix and Tucson.

Phoenix-metro: 480-237-9975

Tucson-metro: 520-308-6211

A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake denning in an outdoor storage closet, on a shelf about 3′ off the ground. The homeowner thankfully spotted it before reaching for something next to it. It was relocated to carefully-selected replacement hibernacula within its estimated homerange.
A call came into Amy with our Prescott hotline to report a rattlesnake, which they identified correctly as a Blacktailed Rattlesnake. This species often climbs trees and bushes – maybe this wicker chair seemed like a place it might get a bird 🙂
Amy relocated the snake safely to a situation perfect for this species at the time of capture.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found a nice spot near an in-ground fountain on a property tucked against the Deems Hills preserve. In addition to the fountain, there was supplemental water and feeders for birds – rattlesnakes will continue to visit and take advantage of the free lunch. Nick was sent out to capture the snake and provide an assessment, and the snake was carefully relocated to a suitable situation.
This little baby rattlesnake found its way into an office building on a rainy night in September. It’s generalist camouflage worked surprisingly well against the floor pattern, but not quite good enough for the security guard not to notice. Back to the desert little guy.
This was a fun one. A bucket of 6 Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes all found at one property under some dense bushes. This was found on a property inspection in advance of a football-related party … which is good because this bush was right next to the cornhole boards. All snakes relocated safely, and homeowners know more about what to do with those bushes.
Wow! Look at this pretty, faded Sonoran Gophersnake found in a woodpile in Mesa. It was released safely, and the homeowner learned a bit more about the woodpile placement. More about why we sometimes relocate harmless snakes: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/snakeblog/rattlesnake-solutions/why-relocate-harmless-snakes/
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in a place we often find them – the place in the yard that is often least-visited by the homeowner. When rodents help create some additional hiding places under the pool equipment, rattlesnakes have everything they need to hang out for the winter.
Sonoran Gophersnake
A Sonoran Gophersnake found in Phoenix that was released under large boulders with nearby rodent activity. It was found in a backyard with a very similar situation, and can continue doing its thing with a slight change in scenery.
Speckled Rattlesnake found just ouside a service panel to a patio fountain. The inside of the structure had signs of rodent activity, which when combined with shade and moisture, provided the perfect spot for this rattlesnake. It was released to carefully-selected microhabitat within its usual homerange.
Speckled Rattlesnake
A big Western Diamondback Rattlesnake taking advantage of a shaded corner on a hot day. The homeowner said they had already walked past it before noticing on the way back in. This is a great example of how a rattlesnake’s true primary defense works – stay hidden, let predators leave, and avoid confrontation.

Snake Removals in Arizona – September 2023

Here are just some of our snake removal calls we handled in September. It was a pretty typical month, busy with baby rattlesnakes and all of the others working to get some last meals before the fall set in.

A friendly little Sonoran Gophersnake found in a crack in a tree. The homeowners had thought it was a rattlesnake initially, and were relieved when Nick told them it was a harmless species.
This was a fun one. A bucket of 6 Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes all found at one property under some dense bushes. This was found on a property inspection in advance of a football-related party … which is good because this bush was right next to the cornhole boards. All snakes relocated safely, and homeowners know more about what to do with those bushes.
This little baby rattlesnake found its way into an office building on a rainy night in September. It's generalist camouflage worked surprisingly well against the floor pattern, but not quite good enough for the security guard not to notice. Back to the desert little guy.
Wow! Look at this pretty, faded Sonoran Gophersnake found in a woodpile in Mesa. It was released safely, and the homeowner learned a bit more about the woodpile placement.
A tiny rattlesnake found outside a home in the Tucson area. These little guys, when this happened back in September, were all over the place. This one was relocated safely to a better situation.
This little Mojave Rattlesnake from a north Phoenix apartment complex made it three buildings in from the desert before being spotted. The rest of the complex was searched (this can take awhile) but that day, this is the only one visible

Arizona Snake Removal Updates

Here are some of our recent snake removals from around the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Things are starting to cool down finally, which means the rattlesnake activity will largely cease shortly. However, as they continue to move towards dens, and get some last meals and drinks in, it’s not quite over yet we expect this year’s activity to cease around the second week of November, which is typical for this area.

Hot Hot July Rattlesnake Removals

The heat is here! With the extremely high temperatures, snakes and other reptiles are having a hard time staying cool and hydrated. Imagine living out there without AC … so, they end up near homes to take advantage of all of the shade and water we leave out there for them.

This is a big part of why it’s so important to know a lot about the natural history of these animals before even attempting to relocate them. They need very specific cover in order to survive, and moving them even a few feet in this heat can be deadly.

With clouds on the horizon, we are hoping things change soon.