Just a reminder – any decoration that looks like a snake may be a real rattlesnake. We were called to get this speckled rattlesnake hiding in the decorations last Halloween.
Halloween Decorations Can Be A Real Snake
Category: Snake Removal
Blacktailed Rattlesnake In Tucson
A homeowner in Tucson called about a rattlesnake on the front porch. They’d just hired some people to do some yard work, and a couple of packrat nests had been removed. When Gary arrived, he found this nice looking Northern Blacktailed Rattlesnake, likely displaced by the rodent nest removal. He relocated it to a different packrat nest on a rocky slope within its estimated home range.
Rattlesnake in Scottsdale
A big, defensive Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in the backyard of a home in Scottsdale. It wasn’t that way originally, of course, spotted resting in the corner, thermoregulating against the stable temperature of the home’s foundation. But, it didn’t love being disturbed when CJ arrived to help it get to a safer spot. He was taken to a deep cave under a large granite outcrop shaded by palo verde that will provide the same stable temperatures as this spot.
Garage Rattlesnake and One At A Den
This was a fun one, and the mark of the official start of “rattlesnake in a garage” season for our team. I was called to a home in Cave Creek where homeowners saw a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake that had come into the garage while the door was left open for a few hours in the afternoon. The snake rattled any time they tried to see where it was. I got there and started searching, and found it trying to escape by climbing up into some shelves.
On the release, I was careful to find a spot that emulcates the situation of capture – a suitable winter den. I went to an area where this would be likely, within the snakes estimated home range, and started searching. Within a relatively short amount of time I found a adult Western Diamondback Rattlesnake coming out from a dense packrat nest on a south-facing ridge – perfect. The garage snake was released here, a much better situation than it had been in before.
Rattlesnake Gets A Free Lime
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was first spotted resting in the shade on the back patio. The homeowner originally thought he snake was dead, but a lime tossed in its direction woke it up and got the snake to move to the other side of the yard, where it found this place to hang out. Greyson arrived shortly after to help find the snake a new spot to nap.
Rattlesnakes In The Backyard
A call came in for a pair of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes at a property in Tucson. They were both resting alongside a planter box in the yard, likely taking advantage of the higher ambient moisture. Gary safely captured them and took them to a perfect spot within their estimated home range.
Mother and Baby Rattlesnakes In Rio Verde Yard
A mother Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and two of her babies were spotted (just barely) in dense vegetation at a home in Rio Verde. There was a massive storm the previous night that blew debris from nearby construction into the yard, and may have played a part in why the snakes were where they were. Jeff went out and was able to recover two of the babies along with the mother, and relocate them to a suitable replacement site.
Rattlesnake Encounters Are Often Optional
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was spotted by a homeowner coiled up on the back patio. The yard doesn’t yet have rattlesnake fencing, so the side gates might as well be propped wide open for an animal that’s only an inch tall. Austin went out to capture the snake and search for others (there weren’t any) and relocated the snake to a deep packrat midden within the snake’s estimated home range. The optional nature of this encounter (as many are) was discussed with the home owner as well.
The release site:
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake By The Front Door
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake coiled up behind a pot by the front door. These situations are easy hiding spots that snakes can use to get out of the sun for the day. Cheyenne helped this one get to better surroundings.
Mojave Rattlesnake Found by a School!
It’s late in the season, and the snakes are on the move one last time before things cool off.
Marissa heads out to a school where a Mojave rattlesnake was found tucked against the building — a good reminder that rattlesnakes don’t just live out in the desert. Jeff gets an alert on the Ring app about a loose snake in his own neighborhood and heads out into the mud to see what’s going on.
I end up in a neighborhood surrounded by perfect desert habitat, relocating a big western diamondback just a few streets away from where I was bitten years ago.
