A couple of recent rattlesnake relocations from the Tucson area. Dry conditions have suppressed activity to some degree this year, but scenes like this are still a thing many times a day.
If you’re wondering what a rattlesnake track looks like, here’s a before and after of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake captured near Tucson. This circular depression is what is left behind when a rattlesnake nestles into a spot to rest or hunt, and is something we can look for to detect activity in an area. This is particularly useful in garages, where rattlesnakes sometimes come and go, but leave tell-tale prints in dust in the corners. If you’ve ever seen one of us pop into your garage for 2 seconds before stating definitively something like “a rattlesnake has been in here”, that’s what we’ve seen.
This snake was relocated to suitable habitat within its estimated home range.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake displayed about as much defensive behavior as we typically see. When Dave arrived, she was halfway into a burrow beneath an AC unit. She did not appreciate the disturbance and responded with persistent rattling and occasional strikes. She was safely contained in a bucket, where she continued rattling and struck the lid several times over the next 20 minutes while I searched the rest of the yard and flooded the burrow to check for others.
She remained highly alert during the short drive to a suitable relocation site near a packrat midden. Even after being released, she stayed mostly within the burrow entrance, rattling steadily and keeping eyes on me the entire time. This elevated defensive state continued throughout the entire encounter. Fortunately, this kind of sustained defensive state is rare. Most removals involve calmer snakes that settle quickly once out of the immediate threat zone.
A recently completed rattlesnake fence installation. From a short distance, it’s more or less invisible. The best indication of this are the people who routinely comment on photos like this to say things like “wont work snake can crawl right through it”. Thanks for making our point!
Jill rescued this little Western Groundsnake from a glue trap in Scottsdale. These snakes, which eat invertebrates, are likely much more effective to the control of the intended target than this trap will ever be.
A homeowner in Cave Creek noticed his cat react to something in the bushes, jumping backward (it was not bitten). It was a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, taking advantage of the shady corner. When Marissa arrived, only the tail was visible as it moved to the neighbor’s yard through a gap in the wall. She was able to push it back through from the other side, then run around to the original location to capture the snake. This is both a good example of how shaded areas are useful to snakes, and that all gaps need to be sealed up if rattlesnake fencing is ever an option.
While in the backyard looking for something, a homeowner noticed this sizable Sonoran Gophersnake resting in the shade. It had a belly full of quail eggs. Learning that it is harmless (unless you’re an egg, of course), the homeowner opted to let it stay. This is the best outcome.
More about why we sometimes relocate harmless snakes: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/snakeblog/rattlesnake-solutions/why-relocate-harmless-snakes/
A gate with modifications made to keep out rattlesnakes of all sizes. With newborn snakes just a bit wider than a ballpoint pen, attention to detail is required. Fortunately, that’s what we do.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
A homeowner spotted this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake cruising through the backyard. The property is wide open, with a wash running through – it’s just something that’s going to happen from time to time in areas of open contact. Jeff was careful with her, as at this time of year she may be pregnant, with developing babies easily damaged with any rough handling. She got a drink of water, and was released directly to deep cover within her estimated home range.
A resting Western Diamondback Rattlesnake delayed work in this front entryway. It was watched until we could arrive and help it to a better shaded spot. During the heat of the summer, staying cool and keeping any moisture possible is driving force behind most encounters.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was trapped under a garage door when found, which can quickly kill a snake. Apryl got there quickly and opened the door right away, and thankfully the snake was without detectable injury. She relocated it to deep cover (shown here) at the base of an old tree.
Rattlesnakes on pool day doesn’t have to be a thing this summer.
Notes from Austin in our internal chat: “I know you’re all going to be pretty jealous of this one. Customer called about this absolutely gorgeous Blacktailed Rattlesnake that was chillin right next to his grill in the backyard. This home backs up to the northern foothills of South Mountain and the yard’s back fence had plenty of space for snakes and rodents to find their way in. Hiked the snake into the nearby hills and found it a nice deep cave in a wash bed that was surrounded by rocky hills on both sides. “
Snake fencing works.
If you live in the desert, snakes are part of the deal — but that doesn’t mean they need to be in your yard. We install clean, effective barriers that actually keep them out, without messing up your view or your landscaping.
Pets and kids on one side, and snakes on the other.
Send us a message if you want a quote or have questions. We’re local, we know snakes, and we’ve seen what works.
A homeowner called in a rattlesnake coiled on the front porch, but it ended up being a Sonoran Gophersnake. Often, the shape of the coil can be an indicator of whether or not a snake is a rattlesnake. While rattlesnakes tend to rest in tight coils with their heads in the center, gophersnakes and other harmless species usually rest in loose, unorganized coils. This one is a bit of an exception, at least being in a somewhat circular shape.
Baby rattlesnakes, in May, are the least-seen age class of snakes. It’s not just that they’re small – the odds of survival through the first year without becoming roadrunner food or Arizona snake jerky are not great. This one was seen on a patio by a homeowner, but moved before Austin arrived to get it. It was found nearby, and looked every bit like it has had a hard time in one of the driest seasons in Arizona history. The little snake got a good drink of water before being released into deep cover. Hopefully it will make it to its first birthday, and find some prey when the monsoon comes again.
Nick was doing a property inspection service of a home, where the homeowners suspected some habitat may be suitable for a rattlesnake in the future. They were right, and didn’t need to wait long. Nick found this young Western Diamondback Rattlesnake hiding out right there. He carefully captured it to relocate to suitable habitat within its estimated home range, and educated the homeowners on all of the things that can be done to help reduce the chances of future encounters.
Can you see the rattlesnake fence we installed at this property?
A landscaper went to sit on this rock to rest for lunch, and it was already occupied. Marissa was able to get the snake out with some water. See it?
This little one was coiled up by the front door of a north Phoenix apartment complex. It got a ride back to a better situation. These kinds of corners that offer shade and cover from predators, as well as a chance to get a drink from time to time, are common spots to find rattlesnakes.
A homeowner saw a Sonoran Gophersnake going up the fence in the backyard, climbing a citrus tree, then disappearing. Marissa got there and the snake was gone. She saw a tree on the other side of the property, however, and asked the neighbor to check their yard. Sure enough, there it was, hiding out up in the tree.
More about why we sometimes relocate harmless snakes: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/snakeblog/rattlesnake-solutions/why-relocate-harmless-snakes/
A common critique we get on social media about photos like this of rattlesnake fence installation (edited to remove weird anger): “Rodents can dig under it!”
But! There’s more going on under the ground here than it seems, stopping rodents from digging under it. Trenching, usually by hand tool on much rougher terrain than this, is a big part of our installers’ lives.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
An adult Sonoran Gophersnake was first spotted under a table, but was found cruising through the lawn when Marissa arrived. This community in Queen Creek is perfect for these snakes, who adapt very well to new situations compared to other native snakes.
A Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake was seen on the back patio of a Phoenix home. Marissa got it just as it was about to head under a bush. It was then measured and tagged before release as part of our ongoing research on urban rattlesnake populations.
A late night Western Diamondback Rattlesnake from a backyard that was bordered on either side by a wash … a perfect spot for a rattlesnake. The homeowner said this was the first rattlesnake they’d seen on the property in the six years of living there, and CJ gently informed them that it’s very likely just the first one they’ve noticed.
These are not ideal situations – a Gila Monster was dug up while a homeowner was moving a stack of cinderblocks. Gila Monsters are very tied to their existing home range (not that rattlesnakes aren’t) and great care must be taken to relocate them. Fortunately, culture has shifted a bit in the last decade or so, making it an easier conversation to have about moving it to the boulders *just over there*.
A gate with modifications to make it impossible for a rattlesnake to get through it.
Sometimes we can use the same bucket for a relocation of two separate species in a pinch … sometimes we can’t. Any guesses why?
A homeowner sent us this fun one. It’s a harmless Sonoran Gophersnake of course, who are excellent climbers and get themselves into all kinds of fun situations.
From Austin “Homeowner called about a “large rattlesnake” in their backyard. Upon arrival it was determined that it was a Gopher Snake. Nevertheless, they still didn’t want it hanging out in their backyard. There was a nice patch of grass and lots of trees and bushes, a desert snake’s dream habitat. I took the snake across the street and hiked it far into the desert away from the neighborhood and placed it into a nice big packrat nest above a small wash. “
