This pretty Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake was spotted by the driveway in south Phoenix. Bryce was called out to help get this snake to a better spot. These are highly specialized rattlesnakes, requiring a great deal of precision in selecting a release site.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.Tell kids that if something looks like a snake, it’s not a Halloween decoration. One of the common statements we get each Halloween on our free removal service calls – “I thought it was a decoration at first!”This one was in New River, Arizona.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.A typical morning trash-to-the-curb run ended up having some extra wake up factor. A baby Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was taking cover underneath, getting not only cover from the sun, but maybe a chance at a rodent. Relocated safely to suitable habitat.Decorations = just more stuff to hide under. Rattlesnakes are still quite active in the evening and places like this are common spots to temporarily hide away for the night. Keep eyes open and use flashlights for trick or treat time!
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.So far in this neighborhood, we’ve only ever been called out to capture Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes. On this one, however, Marissa got a nice surprise… a Blacktailed Rattlesnake. These rattlesnakes, even though they are quite common, are relatively rarely found at surrounding homes compared to other species. Relocation of one of these takes some extra care, and Marissa made sure that happened.This Sonoran Gophersnake was found in a mountain-side apartment complex. It was requested to be moved back to the mountain, so off it goes.The family dog spotted this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake from inside the house, through a window. It was in a well developed part of town, having survived entirely within backyards for who knows how long. It was relocated carefully.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 Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake. This home is right up against a mountain in Phoenix, and this pretty species of rattlesnake is one of the most common to encounter in the area. It was, as always, relocated safely to a carefully-selected location.On a recent property inspection, Marissa found a couple of Western Diamondback Rattlesnake hiding out. We’re often called to inspect a property to advise on situations that might attract rattlesnakes, and it’s not uncommon to actually find rattlesnakes in those spots during the process. They were relocated responsibly and the homeowners advised of methods to avoid this situation in the future.While disposing of garbage in the trash cans at the rear of the house, the homeowner heard a rattling sound. Upon investigation, she discovered a rattlesnake inside a box meant for rodents. The homeowner mentioned that the snake had recently crawled into the box. Upon opening the box, there were two snakes – one already dead and the other stuck. Marissa managed to free the stuck snake, and it should recover. Scottsdale, AZA 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.
More snake removals from our snake removal service areas in Phoenix and Tucson.
Phoenix-metro: 480-237-9975
Tucson-metro: 520-308-6211
This Tiger Rattlesnake was using this patio in the same way it would a similar functional structure in nature. Rock in partial sun, largely-shaded and offering thermoregulatory opportunities. By managing exposure to air and conductive cooling, rattlesnakes are able to control their temperature to a fine degree. Tiger Rattlesnakes are specialists that require care in release site selection. Far from simply “taking it out to the desert”, these situations are handled with precision to find a suitable situation that emulates the natural history of the animal.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/Rattlesnake found in a backyard in Scottsdale.A very easy-going Western Diamondback Rattlesnake that took cover under a small pile of tools that hadn’t even been leff out for a day. It was moved away from private property to public land and released into a perfectly situated packrat nest, shaded by ironwood above a sandy wash.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 GophersnakeA 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 RattlesnakeA 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.
