A call came in for a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake discovered near the front door of an Ahwatukee home. Austin found the snake resting in the corner, taking advantage of the shade and conductive cooling from the foundation. There was a lot of cover in the yard, despite the landscaping being well maintained. The snake was relocated in a deep drainage within its estimated home range (bonus Sonoran Desert Tortoise seen at the release site)
This little snake is a Desert Nightsnake, one of the most common snakes to find inside a home in the Phoenix area. Their small size lets them in through even minor openings in sliding doors, etc. This one was found in a living room and taken outside.
Blacktailed Rattlesnakes are large, usually greenish snakes found in mountainous habitat. Of the rattlesnake species in the areas where we work, they are the least likely to be found at a home. This one was on the patio near Prescott, Arizona. Dane carefully relocated the snake to suitable habitat, based on the natural history of the species, time of year, and other factors.
A few recent captures in an afternoon from Apryl. The fall is almost as busy as the Spring for the relocation team, as snakes have a lot to do before the winter.
From Cheyenne: “The caller manages a complex of apartments and was calling on behalf of a tenant that had seen a snake on their patio, but no longer had eyes on it. The snake had made it through a tiny gap under the door and into a storage closet off of the patio. I had to pull out multiple sets of patio furniture to find him in the back corner. It turned out to be a coachwhip. The fiesty fella attempted six bites (three were successful) and was relocated to a pack rat midden under a giant ironwood tree. “
More about why we sometimes relocate harmless snakes: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/snakeblog/rattlesnake-solutions/why-relocate-harmless-snakes/
Can you see it? A very gravid Western Diamondback hiding under a watered Lantana in Mesa.
24/7 Snake Removal & Prevention:
Phoenix-metro: 480-237-9975
Tucson-metro: 520-308-6211
https://rattlesnakesolutions.com
Homeowners called in with a rattlesnake on the back patio. It had been there a few days, but at this point it was time to go. It was relocated to a deep cave in a rocky area within its estimated home range.
An early morning call with a rattlesnake curled up at the side gate. The homeowners were leaving for vacation and they were not able to leave the house through the front entrance. But, the snake moved before Maggie arrived, and she found it in the corner of the backyard near the trash cans. She brought the snake to a deep packrat nest in a nearby preserve.
This coachwhip was using an opening alongside the front patio where a fountain had left an eroded gap. Maggie was able to get the snake out, which can be a bit of work for this species!
Since it will be asked: it’s red because it’s in a red bucket in the light.
Rattlesnake Gives Birth Under a House! Late summer in Arizona means baby rattlesnake season, and things can get interesting fast. In this episode, Marissa responds to a call at a home she’s been to before. A western diamondback is resting along the side of the house, but as she approaches, it quickly disappears into a small hole. When she floods the hole to safely remove the snake, we find out it’s not just one—this is a mother with babies.