Kingsnake In The Yard

A call came in for a mystery snake in the backyard. They knew it wasnt’ a rattlesnake, but definitely wanted it removed. Maggie arrived and found it on the wall between their yard and the adjacent property. It was a friendly California Kingsnake, and the homeowners got to learn all about their harmless visitor. Maggie took the snake to deep cover within its home range.

Mojave Rattlesnake At The Party

Back in September, homeowners called with a baby rattlesnake on the front patio. They were about to have a birthday party, so it was important to have a safe area before the kids arrived. Maggie went out and retrieved this young Mojave Rattlesnake and got it to a better spot.

Northern Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/MojaveRattlesnake

Rattlesnake with Gophersnake Bonus

From Maggie: “Homeowner called with a huge rattlesnake under some foliage in her backyard. She walked right past it on her way to fill the bird feeders and luckily it was not phased. As soon as I placed the western diamondback into my bucket, a huge gophersnake took the opportunity to appear from behind some bougainvilleas. I was able to relocate the gophersnake into the wash at the end of the street and the western diamondback into a rocky hillside parkrat nest. North Scottsdale “

These Bushes Are Rattlesnake Magnets

In this episode, we take a close look at why some of Arizona’s most common landscaping bushes — especially lantana and rosemary — are huge rattlesnake magnets. We start by showing what’s going on inside a typical lantana shrub: deep shade, constant moisture from irrigation, and plenty of rodents. It’s perfect shelter all year, and rattlesnakes take full advantage of it.

We also share a few recent relocation calls where rattlesnakes were found hiding in different types of bushes, to further prove the point.

If you’re trying to make your yard less attractive to rattlesnakes, this video is a great place to start.

Late Night Diamondback Call

Late-night Western Diamondback Rattlesnake for CJ in north Phoenix. Though there was a sliver of habitat not too far away, the home was certainly not the first place he would have suspected to find one. Desert ironwood trees are my microhabitat of choice, and he found a deep packrat nest under one for a release site.

Cameos by lone javelina and multiple white-lined sphinx moths.