This Phoenix homeowner found a Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake that turned out to be a gravid (pregnant) female, and the property offered everything a snake could want during the hottest part of the year. Abundant rocky cover, mature shade trees, and reliable water sources made the yard much cooler and more inviting than the surrounding desert. After Austin safely captured the snake, he hiked her back into the adjacent preserve and found a deep cave along the side of a shaded drainage. The location provides excellent shelter for summer aestivation, allowing her to remain cool and protected as she prepares to give birth later in the season. She was released into suitable habitat within her native range.
