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Snake Removal Updates for Early December 2023

Posted on December 14, 2023December 14, 2023 by Bryan Hughes

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

A couple from Germany visiting Arizona got the full experience – a Longnosed Snake slipped into the garage and they called us out to help the situation. The little snake was captured and released, and our visitors have a good story to tell back home.

A couple from Germany visiting Arizona got the full experience – a Longnosed Snake slipped into the garage and they called us out to help the situation. The little snake was captured and released, and our visitors have a good story to tell back home.

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.

Marissa was called to a property in Anthem where two Sonoran Gophersnakes were spotted eating some rodents. When she got there, the snake doing the eating had left, and the other snake was captured. Left behind was this baby rat, far too young to survive on its own. She released the snake and brought the baby to Libert Wildlife to be cared for until it could be released. She didn’t want to transport it in a stinky snake bucket, so it rode in her lap for a while.

Marissa was called to a property in Anthem where two Sonoran Gophersnakes were spotted eating some rodents. When she got there, the snake doing the eating had left, and the other snake was captured. Left behind was this baby rat, far too young to survive on its own. She released the snake and brought the baby to Libert Wildlife to be cared for until it could be released. She didn’t want to transport it in a stinky snake bucket, so it rode in her lap for a while.

A perfect example of how rattlesnakes rely on camouflage to avoid predators. The owner of this home was putting up Halloween decorations and went up and down the ladder many times before realizing he had a visitor. Bryce was called out and the snake didn’t move until captured.

A perfect example of how rattlesnakes rely on camouflage to avoid predators. The owner of this home was putting up Halloween decorations and went up and down the ladder many times before realizing he had a visitor. Bryce was called out and the snake didn’t move until captured.

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 Western Diamondback Rattlesnake showed up at a north valley backyard. By the time Bryce got there it had moved under some furniture and nearby plants. He was able to get it out and into a packrat nest within its estimated natural homerange.

This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake showed up at a north valley backyard. By the time Bryce got there it had moved under some furniture and nearby plants. He was able to get it out and into a packrat nest within its estimated natural homerange.

This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found on a back patio in north Phoenix. The day was on the warm side, and the artificial grass was way too hot to be around. Luckily, it found some time to cool off on, and Nick was able to relocate it to a more natural situation.

This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found on a back patio in north Phoenix. The day was on the warm side, and the artificial grass was way too hot to be around. Luckily, it found some time to cool off on, and Nick was able to relocate it to a more natural situation.

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.

This home is on the corner right next to a popular hiking trail and often has rattlesnake visitors. The way that shared walls and access works in these situations can act as a funnel to direct snake activity, with the result being some homes having far more encounters than even next-door neighbors

This home is on the corner right next to a popular hiking trail and often has rattlesnake visitors. The way that shared walls and access works in these situations can act as a funnel to direct snake activity, with the result being some homes having far more encounters than even next-door neighbors

A housesitter in Scottsdale called about a pair of snakes on a patio, which Bryce discovered upon arrival to be a pair of mating Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes. The capture was a little difficult as they both became exceedingly defensive but did not separate the entire time. Eventually, he was able to capture them both and get them into a bucket to relocate. They were released together, not stopping their snake-making activities during the entire event.

A housesitter in Scottsdale called about a pair of snakes on a patio, which Bryce discovered upon arrival to be a pair of mating Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes. The capture was a little difficult as they both became exceedingly defensive but did not separate the entire time. Eventually, he was able to capture them both and get them into a bucket to relocate. They were released together, not stopping their snake-making activities during the entire event.

This Sonoran Gophersnake found a comfy spot between the screen and inner door. The home is currently vacant, and was discovered by a realtor on a walkthrough the day before. It wasn’t especially happy to be evicted, but we’re thankful it got the chance to live elsewhere.

This Sonoran Gophersnake found a comfy spot between the screen and inner door. The home is currently vacant, and was discovered by a realtor on a walkthrough the day before. It wasn’t especially happy to be evicted, but we’re thankful it got the chance to live elsewhere.