The homeowners were taking out the trash when they noticed this little Western Diamondback Rattlesnake coiled up near where they had just walked. Unfortunately, it was in an area where the last remaining native habitat was just bulldozed for new apartments, so this little one had to go further than we’d typically take it to hopefully settle in.
When we got a call for a reported “copperhead”, we knew something was up. That’s what the neighbor told the homeowner, who saw this orange Speckled Rattlesnake hanging out next to a trash can. It was likely there waiting for rodents, who’d be drawn in by some trash that ended up on the wrong side of the can.
This was near a rocky mountainous area in Peoria, which is where the snake was returned to.
Homeowners in Phoenix noticed that their dog was acting oddly and throwing up. They rushed her to the vet, and it was determined she’d been bitten by a rattlesnake. The dog received treatment and did well.
Before she went home, the homeowners wanted to have the yard checked out to see if it was still there. There was a lot of vegetation and great places to hide, as well as some packrat nests. After a long search, the snake just showed up, crawling out of the grill area with a large rodent in its belly. The snake (and rodent) got a ride to a natural area.
Wow, this is a pretty one! Some workers spotted it in a courtyard of a south Phoenix home, and alerted the homeowners. The home is situated against a large preserve, which is where the snake was brought back to. As always, it went to direct cover within its estimated home range.
The homeowner went into the backyard to search for golf balls, being next to a golf course, and spotted this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake stuck in the pool catchment. It was still floating, thankfully, but wasn’t able to climb out on its own. Marissa went up to Scottsdale for this one, returning it to dry land.
A worker at a home said they saw a large rattlesnake behind a pot in the side yard. It ended up being this Sonoran Gophersnake, who’d found a whole lot of something to eat recently.
Rattlesnake fencing is hard to see, and easy to forget about. It’s one of those things that you don’t really know is working, then just realize one day that it’s been years since you saw a rattlesnake in the yard.
A Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake basking this morning in our large outdoor enclosure. It’s already been helpful in learning about how certain weather conditions may affect rattlesnake activity … and it’s just a fun thing to have outside the office 🙂
A call from Phoenix for a Speckled Rattlesnake at a home surrounded by perfect habitat for the species. This snake looks like it was having a tough time, which could be both an indication of the brutally dry conditions this year, and the reason it was in the well-watered backyard to begin with. Austin took it to a better situation, where it will hopefully recover.
The home where this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found has a great, well-watered natural area full of drinking opportunities, bird feeders, and other wildlife-friendly things. Of course, a rattlesnake looking for food and water isn’t going to ignore something so courteously presented, so here we go. Gary helped this one, who was likely hunting birds at the base of a bird feeder, out of the immediate area.
We got a call for a big snake cruising around a backyard in Scottsdale. The homeowner and her daughter had eyes on it for a bit, but eventually lost track—pretty common when there’s good cover. Marissa showed them a few ID photos and they pointed to a Sonoran Gophersnake, so that gave me a starting point. The yard was pretty lush, lots of places to hide, so she worked the ground first and then started checking higher up.
While poking around under the grill, the homeowner suddenly shouted, “There it is!” And sure enough, the weirdo was halfway into the grill like it was no big deal. Looks like it’s stuck in the photo, but it wasn’t—just exploring. We all had a good laugh. It’s a big, healthy Sonoran Gophersnake, about four feet long.
Rattlesnake fencing installed correctly, with a few little tricks that help keep rodents from digging under, ensuring the full perimeter is protected as it needs to be.
A dog sitter was out back with the pup when she spotted the black and white banded tail of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake disappearing under the patio furniture. She wrangled the dog and called us out. Marissa found the snake cruising around the pool deck, and couldn’t care less about the whole ordeal. The home backed up to a natural wash area, which is likely home to many of these animals.
This backyard was very well kept and had few places to hide. But, the location itself, situated alongside natural habitat and between properties that may have more ideal hunting or hiding situations, mean a traveling rattlesnake is out in the open and easy enough to notice. Even then, it’s likely more travel this path than will ever be known to the homeowners. Chris picked this one up and relocated to suitable conditions, on his first solo rattlesnake relocation call after training.
A rattlesnake fencing client called to say she had a Gila Monster in the yard. These animals are exceptional climbers, and rattlesnake fencing won’t stop them from going wherever they want. Marissa was nearby and went to check it out … but, on the way, she spotted this gila crossing the road. She helped it to the side and snapped a photo. The gila in the backyard was long gone by the time she got there, but considering the timing and location, this one very well may be the one.
And BTW, if anyone ever claims that snake fencing will keep out ALL species of snakes and reptiles: you’re being lied to 😉 We call it “rattlesnake fence” for a reason.
A previous Rattlesnake Solutions customer called about this gorgeous Speckled Rattlesnake in the front yard. The snake was curled up resting next to the side yard gate. The home, which is nestled into the northern foothills of South Mountain, has tons of great habitat all around, and is likely just one of many spots this snake knows it can get prey or a drink.
Austin captured the snake and found the perfect situation to release it to, one which is within its estimated home range, and emulates conditions at the location of capture.
A homeowner saw a neighbor taking a picture of something in the bushes in her front yard … then noticed the subject. A Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake was resting underneath. It’s the only bush in the yard, but the backyard had a lot more heavy vegetation, leading up to a drainage of the mountain. It’s likely this very cryptic snake has been using the area for quite some time before being noticed.
A call came in for a rattlesnake in the driveway. By the time that Austin got there, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake had moved to the street, where it was resting. The yard was well-kept and had minimal places to hide, which may be why this small snake had moved on rather than stayed. Austin hiked it into the desert and found a rodent burrow under dense brush to release it.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in the lobby of a church, where a door had been propped open to get a little air earlier in the season. Rattlesnakes inside buildings is very rare, with doors left open as the most common reason.
Rattlesnake fencing done right, by licensed, insured professionals. This is guaranteed by two warranties, for workmanship and materials, and free rattlesnake removal in the event of failure for a period of 2 years.
CJ’s first Sonoran Gophersnake of the season. The homeowner wasn’t sure if it was a rattlesnake or not, but was relieved to learn that this was a harmless and beneficial species.
A little Western Diamondback Rattlesnake made an appearance at a home in Cave Creek. With only a couple of segments on the tail, this is a big baby from last year, likely born earlier in the birthing season and succeeding with prey right away. It was moved to a packrat nest, shaded by a mesquite tree at the edge of a drainage.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found in a typical spot alongside the front entryway of a home in Oro Valley. These shaded areas often emulate the natural situations where snakes would normally hide away from the heat for the day.
A mellow Sonoran Gophersnake seen slowly cruising around a neighborhood. It was at a different house than the one that originally called it in, both on the edge of a golf course where these snakes are very common.
A couple of lovebirds spotted under a bush on a nice Spring day. CJ was very careful to capture them at the same time, and released them to a perfect spot where they would hopefully continue the task of making more little diamondbacks.
After Nick captured a diamondback on this patio, a neighbor said that they’d also seen a rattlesnake at their place a few minutes prior. So Nick searched for another, and found it by temporarily removing the metal door step. Both were relocated together to suitable habitat.
A wet, happy Western Diamondback Rattlesnake that had emerged from the garage to take advantage of a rare drinking opportunity. Even in cooler temperatures, rain events can bring rattlesnakes out to get the only drink they may have for, sometimes, months.
