Both the Sonoran Gophersnake and the person that came to take it off the patio were pretty exciting to this little guy.
A homeowner spotted a Sonoran Gophersnake while watering a palmtree over a wall. But, the drain the snake was hiding in was too small, and it eventually came out to be taken to a better situation by Marissa.
Thankfully, the sign is just a joke. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found digesting a meal on a well-shaded back patio in north Phoenix.
Some Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnakes from recent relocations around the south end of Phoenix.
A Phoenix homeowner was out in the backyard with her dog when she noticed it messing with something. Thankfully, she got there fast enough to get the dog inside after seeing that it was a Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake.
Security guards at a hotel in Phoenix saw this Speckled Rattlesnake crossing a roadway. By the time Bryce got there to capture it, it had coiled into this shaded space in adjacent rocks, where it would have likely spent much of the day. With the heat, careful consideration is necessary for relocations like this, and the snake was relocated to specific microhabitat where it can survive.
From Jeff: “Had a fun back and forth with this one. Went out to Florence to look for a Gophersnake that wasn’t watched and disappeared by the time I arrived. I searched all over the place, including the next door neighbor’s yard to no avail. I was confused because it was 108 outside and it could not have gotten far. As soon as I got home and started office work, I was called back because the snake was right back where it was originally. Turns out, the steel door frame was not capped at the bottom and it was hiding there. When I arrived it had almost given me the slip again in the door. With some gentle coaxing it eventually came out.”
From CJ: “Little Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was having a mouse meal in a horse stall when the customers found him. Customer said that they’ve had several rattlesnakes on the property throughout the years and someone in the household would always dispatch them with a shovel. The customer who called stated they always felt bad because they knew the snakes meant no harm so they decided to call RS this time. Was able to talk conservation for a bit before seeing this guy off to a good home underneath a big palo verde nearby. Cave Creek.”
Some of a newly rattlesnake-fenced property near Tucson. This one used black coated steel to blend into the existing aesthetic and become barely visible, if that. There’s a lot more to it than it seems, and when it’s all done this backyard is in a much safer situation than it was before.
This little Sonoran Gophersnake was found at a home on a rocky yillside in Williamson Valley. The hole was in a shaded are between the home and the AC unit. When it’s hot, places to stay cool are great resources for snakes and other wildlife. Dane moved this one to a better situation.
This little Sonoran Gophersnake was found at a home on a rocky yillside in Williamson Valley. The hole was in a shaded are between the home and the AC unit. When it’s hot, places to stay cool are great resources for snakes and other wildlife. Dane moved this one to a better situation.
This heavily gravid Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is about to pop any minute, as many are around the state. CJ found her in an area where another had been seen days before in north Phoenix, and relocated her carefully to a place where she can safely have her babies.
From Tim on our overnight hotline: “A girl near the pool at the resort in Phoenix said, “Dad, look at that big snake!” Needless to say, we came. We saw. We captured. We relocated. Who ya gonna call? “
This Tiger Rattlesnake was waiting out a heavy rain at an Oro Valley entryway. Nik helped find it a better spot to hang out.
A recent Rattlesnake Fence project completed near Tucson. It’s not as visible as many people (HOAs) often think it is, providing the most effective division between rattlesnakes and the patio possible without changing how things look.
It took two visits to a packed two-car garage and workshop to locate this Mojave Rattlesnake in the Prescott Valley area. Dane eventually found it behind a tablesaw, and relocated it to a carefully selected site.
Dave found this adult Western Diamondback Rattlesnake using a deck and cover with a water leak as a summer aestivation site. It was carefully captured and relocated to a suitable replacement. Working within this aspect of the animal’s natural history is essential to its survival.
There may be a day when we don’t get a rattlesnake out of a garage somewhere in the state, but today isn’t that day.
Standard garage Western Diamondback Rattlesnake relocated by Dave in Tuscon recently.
This small Western Diamondback Rattlesnake disappeared when the homeowner went to call our hotline, but Dave was able to find it behind some pots. With the temperature approaching 110˚F when he arrived, its hiding location was pretty predictable.
Sometimes we don’t even get to ring the doorbell before a rattlesnake ends up in the bucket. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was there to greet Dave as he arrived, making for a quick and easy relocation.
A homeowner in Queen Creek called in with a report of this California Kingsnake that had caught a Tiger Whiptail on their patio. Jeff went out to help the snake to a different spot, carefully handling it so that its prey stayed in place. When he got there, the lizard’s tail was still sticking out of its mouth like Sonoran spaghetti.
This little Gila Monster was stuck in a backyard in Tucson. Nik went out to help it back to suitable habitat before it could have a bad run in with the family dog. Gila Monsters require very specific habitat and require special care when being worked with.
This Mojave Rattlesnake wasn’t super excited about being captured, not understanding the common alternative. Nik relocated it to the correct habitat for the species.
A homeowner called in after her dog was bitten by a rattlesnake•. Marissa was called out a few days later to see if the snake was still in the area. When she got there, the situation was obvious: dense, thick landscaping. Common plants like lantana and natal plum create cool cover that rattlesnakes and other animals often find useful as long term homes. That was the case here – not only did she find one rattlesnake, but another one hanging out as well.
This is an excellent example of a common saying of ours “the snake is the symptom” – regardless of these two snakes being moved away, the real issue remains: supporting habitat. The homeowner was informed of the situation.
•Note: Unless the information is offered outside of educational support to the homeowner, we typically do not later inquire about bite situations unless information is requested. These can be sensitive situations, and sometimes our job is knowing when it’s appropriate to neither ask or report.
This Mojave Rattlesnake was found at a construction site. It had been run over by a vehicle, receiving injuries that may not be survivable.
Some photos from the post-installation quality inspection from a recent Rattlesnake Fencing installation from Brent and Bre! Looks great, when it looks like anything at all 😉
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
This pretty little Speckled Rattlesnake was hanging out on a cool patio on a very hot Arizona summer day. The home was up on a mountainside, where this species is common. It was tagged, then released to suitable cover for the species and time of year – if we see this snake again, it will not likely be at this same home.
The family dogs notified the homeowner to a snake in the yard. They thought it was a rattlesnake until Marissa was able to catch it, and show that it was just a Sonoran Gophersnake making a lot of noise. There was also a Sonoran Desert Toad by the door, so they got to be best friends for a short time during transport.
This Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake was enjoying the cool, freshly watered grass at a home backing up to the preserve. But with people active in the area, relaxing time was over and the snake was moved to a carefully selected spot back in the desert.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake taking the welcome mat literally in Peoria.
A newly developed neighborhood with desert all around meeting the existing residents. As the valley continues to develop westward, these situations will become increasingly common there. This one was relocated to some of the remaining natural habitat, and the new homeowners are keeping our number handy.
Marissa said “I was going to release a snake when I had to hop over this pancake posted up early morning.”
A standard gate with some barely-visible additions that will keep this pool area rattlesnake free from now on.
This Mojave Rattlesnake laid in this exact spot while Bryce made a long run to Mesa. It didn’t appear to be injured or anything and acted perfectly normal upon capture.
Nik was called to an overnight relocation at a home in the Catalina Foothills. Along with the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, he found a kingsnake cruising the property. One got to stay, the other went with Nik. Any guesses which?
This sizeable Arizona Black Rattlesnake had been hanging out for a few days on a hillside home near Dewey before the homeowner decided it was time to move along. Dane helped find it the perfect location.
