A glance out the back door caught a surprise visitor on the patio. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was likely disturbed by nearby construction, which had just deleted the habitat that it was using to hibernate. Marissa was called out to capture the snake and move it to a better spot that is neither a patio or crawling with bulldozers and survey tape.
Dogs were barking outside at a home in Scottsdale, and the homeowner went to investigate. She found this large Western Diamondback Rattlesnake under a bush, and got the dogs inside. The snake disappeared, so she called us to come find it. Marissa arrived and was able to locate the snake laid out in the shade a few yards from the bush it was first spotted in. The home has a view fence (without rattlesnake fencing) backing up to native habitat with a large drainage nearby, so a rattlesnake there makes perfect sense.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was seen in the bushes near the front patio of a unit at an assisted living community. The complex is surrounded on all sides by native habitat, and we are called to visit several times each year. Cheyenne helped the snake find a similar location, a packrat nest, elsewhere.
A Mojave Rattlesnake found hanging out in the yard near Casa Grande. The snake may have just been passing through (this was in early October), but it’s that time of year when they were looking for dens … so maybe not. Unlike what many expect a den to look like, these snakes often stay alone or with just a few other snakes in relatively temporary refugium.
Some rattlesnake diversity for a night! Jeff was called to pick up a Tiger Rattlesnake in south Phoenix, then rushed to Florence for a Sonoran Sidewinder.
Both are specialist species that require special consideration for where they are to be released.
A homeowner saw a young rattlesnake in the yard and hoped it would move on, but gave us a call after about 45 minutes. Jeff got there and the snake had disappeared, but he saw it near its original location and was able to safely capture it. He took it to a packrat nest (the pile of sticks) in a rock pile that would be a very good spot for the winter.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was tucked in under a plant by the front door, but a light gave it away. This snake has been living at the home for some time, most likely, based on its condition and time of year.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was discovered in a rodent box and called in by the pest control company. The homeowner was concerned about the snake, and was hoping it would be ok so it could continue to help with the rodent situation. Thankfully the trap seemed to only catch its skin, making a painful but recoverable situation.
This snake will, within its lifetime, remove more rodents from the area than these traps ever could. Make your own analogies about making better mousetraps, etc.
A great example of snake fencing at work. This young Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was spotted outside of a gate in Cave Creek, which was protected by an older installation of ours. The gap at the bottom is within the proper tolerance, meaning even tiny rattlesnakes are going to have to search elsewhere for a winter spot. Apryl took this little one to a good location within a nearby preserve.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing:https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
A small Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was seen hiding in the garage, where it likely intended to spend the winter. It disappeared but Apryl was able to find it nearby, under a shoe rack, and safely capture it. She took it to season-appropriate microhabitat for it to continue its life.
