This clever little gophersnake almost outsmarted everyone. I thoroughly searched the N. Phoenix garage, which was very clean and offered very few hiding spots and was beginning to think the snake had slipped out unnoticed. I had the homeowner close the garage door so we could check the gaps, only to discover that it had been watching us from above the entire time. Thankfully it was completely unharmed and is now living on the ground floor of a large packrat nest. – Jason
An evening call in the Red Mountain area. The homeowner was working in the garage and his young nephew was just outside the backdoor of the shop playing when he noticed a rattlesnake moving about the rocks just outside the doorway, after alerting his uncle, I was called out to relocate the snake who had gone further down the side of the building and settled into a large pile of tile and brick materials. After the snake was contained they pointed out a Chuckwalla who sleeps every night between the gap along the side of the garage 😍 . The snake was released far from buildings within its home range into this cozy packrat nest for continued food and shelter. – Alivia
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake had just finished consuming a cottontail when it was found by homeowners, and subsequently got to meet Dave and his red bucket. Extra care was taken during the capture and release to make sure the snake did not lose such an important, large meal, and that the mammal didn’t lose its life for no reason.
Heading home from a snake relocation, Dave came across this Sonoran Gophersnake cruising across the road. Often times, on days where our hotline is busy, it’s not a surprise to see several wild reptiles during the the course of the day just from being out in habitat. This one did not need any assistance getting off the road.
This young Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found at an apartment complex near Loop 101 and Hayden in Scottsdale. Unfortunately, much of the surrounding desert habitat has recently been bulldozed for new construction, which likely displaced this snake along with many other native animals in the area.
Austin was able to safely relocate the rattlesnake to a healthier patch of nearby desert habitat that currently appears safe from development pressure. The new location offered much better cover and long-term shelter opportunities within the snake’s estimated home range.
The owner of a Paradise Valley home carefully placed this Speckled Rattlesnake into a bucket before contacting us to help relocate it back into suitable habitat.
For Jason, that meant a fairly strenuous hike up Camelback Mountain in search of ideal release conditions. Along the way, he found plenty of rocky structure, abundant signs of rodent activity, and excellent natural shelter, all while remaining within the snake’s estimated home range.
As an added bonus, Jason spotted another Speckled Rattlesnake during the hike, further confirming the area was an appropriate relocation site. The snake was ultimately released into the rocky mountainside far from surrounding homes.
This homeowner contacted us after discovering a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake cruising through his backyard cactus garden. Josh arrived quickly and safely secured the docile adult rattlesnake in a bucket.
While searching for a suitable release location nearby within the snake’s estimated home range, Josh stumbled across what could only be described as a jackpot of habitat. A large active stream running near a canyon created the perfect environment for wildlife, and alongside the water was an active rodent den absolutely teeming with life.
With abundant access to food, water, and shelter, the rattlesnake was relocated to an ideal area where it can hopefully live a long, healthy life with far less chance of future human conflict.
This Sonoran Gophersnake was taking full advantage of the shade and standing water at a North Phoenix home. The presence of a potted plant with an overflow basin underneath was likely enough to draw the snake right to the front door.
Jon quickly and quietly captured the snake and released it to suitable habitat within its estimated home range, where it can continue living its best snake life.
A homeowner living alongside the South Mountain Preserve contacted us after discovering a very “whiteish” rattlesnake beneath a water bowl inside their Sonoran Desert Tortoise enclosure. The family has participated in Arizona’s tortoise adoption program for nearly 20 years, so wildlife encounters are nothing new to them.
While servicing the tortoises and refreshing their water, they uncovered the snake and gave us a call. By the time Alivia arrived, the rattlesnake had moved into the shade beneath a nearby hose caddy. Excitedly, she explained to the family that it was actually a beautiful Speckled Rattlesnake, a species specially adapted to the rocky terrain of the mountain preserve directly behind their home.
As fellow desert wildlife enthusiasts, the homeowners shared in the excitement and agreed the best solution was to relocate the snake nearby within its estimated home range, but away from their beloved tortoise pen. During the conversation, the tortoises themselves slowly emerged from their burrow one by one, seemingly curious about all the attention.
Alivia ultimately relocated the Speckled Rattlesnake deeper into the preserve, hiking to an isolated rocky outcrop farther from surrounding homes and buildings.
This time of year in Arizona, one of the most common things we hear is that rattlesnakes “love the heat.” The reality is a little different. Like anything else out here, rattlesnakes have to deal with extreme temperatures too, and once it gets too hot, they adjust their behavior to stay out of it.
Marissa responds to a home with two rattlesnakes tucked in beside pool equipment. Jeff heads out after dark for a large western diamondback in a flower box in a neighborhood surrounded by new development. Down in Tucson, Josh is called to a backyard for a rattlesnake and ends up finding another one unexpectedly on the way.
