Living in Arizona means that running into a snake is always a possibility. Fortunately, the violent times of the past have largely given way to smarter methods of dealing with the issue. This includes snake relocation and prevention, and we are thankful to work with homeowners every day who choose these options. Here are just a few of the situations where we’ve been called to assist during the month of June, 2024.
CJ was called to Cave Creek to pick up this defensive Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in the backyard. He found a great new spot for it, deep in a packrat nest shaded by Ironwood. These animals would prefer not meet people of course, but they’ve been handed an often unwinnable situation. Fortunately, there are understanding homeowners who choose to peacefully resolve the situation.
A big Sonoran Gophersnake found hanging out in a garage in the Catalina Foothills. They’re not harmful animals, but it’s understandable that people may not want to share space with them. The snake was provided an alternative hiding spot.
A handful of Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnakes from recent relocations.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake resting on the patio of a Marana home recently. Nik came to assist.
A late night Western Diamondback Rattlesnake call in an unexpected part of the city. The area was nearly entirely urbanized except a small fragment of native habitat not too far away where a small population apparently has managed to persist. CJ managed to find access and get the snake back to its home to resume its very sneaky life.
Backyards at new homes adjacent to native habitat will be visited by wildlife, including rattlesnakes. Or in this instance, ‘would be’ is a more accurate term.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake sent Nik on a call to the direct center of an apartment complex. The entire outer habitat had been deleted, and it had managed to survive in the landscaping. Fortunately the neighbors called to have it removed, and a release site was carefully selected where it can hopefully live a long, bulldozer free life.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found its way from a wash to the courtyard of this Scottsdale home. The dense boxwood and higher ambient humidity can’t be ignored by wildlife fighting to stay alive in the Arizona summer. CJ was careful to find the perfect release site where it could continue to aestivate safely. This not only increases the chances of the snake’s continued success but reduces the likelihood of future conflict with people.
A dog was bitten at a dog park, and the dog owner brought the rattlesnake to the emergency vet. The vet then called our hotline, and CJ went out to return the snake to a suitable situation back within its estimated home range. For a release site, he found a deep cave in an arroyo wall.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake showed up on the patio just as family was arriving for a visit. Nobody was happy about it. CJ found it a great new location at the nearby preserve.
From Savannah: “This goofy pool noodle was found at a house in Mesa right next to an undeveloped dirt field, across from county land. Upon arrival, I was concerned because they had lost sight of the snake. But after searching for a couple minutes we found both the giant rat this snake was after AND this guy in their shed where there was more evidence of rodents. They were treating the rodent issue unsuccessfully with a bait station outside the shed. I explained how snakes are attracted to rodents as a primary food source and suggested a fencing consultation, removing the rodent habitat (shed and yard items), and removing any outside water or food that would continue to attract rodents. Snake was taken near a wash on a much larger piece of county land nearby, south of where it was found.”
A Cave Creek homeowner was watering her garden when she noticed an odd rock. The rock, was of course not a rock, but a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. The snake was taking advantage of the cool cover and high humidity of the garden, which is what they’d do in the wild in a similar situation. Marissa captured the snake and relocated it to a carefully selected location, releasing directly into deep cover.
From Marissa: “The homeowner was walking back from getting the mail in a Chandler neighborhood when she saw a snake’s head poke out from a very large, overgrown lantana bush in her front yard. I regret not taking a picture of it. It took me a good 30 minutes to work my way through the lantana before I spotted this beautiful, large gopher snake. It attracted the attention of all the neighbors. Some of them wanted to keep the snake, while others didn’t. I decided not to disturb it, so it could continue living its life as it knew how.
This particular snake was very dull in color compared to most Sonoran Gophersnakes in the area. While it may just be a unique individual, it could also be Axanthism, or a mutaion which causes the suppression of yellow pigment. Either way, this giant was released unharmed back to its native environment.
From the patio, the new rattlesnake fence installed on this view fence is invisible. The coated black mesh is quite an upgrade for those who prefer the newly-safe backyard to look the same … and HOA communities 😉
Dogs barking a ‘different’ bark in the backyard alerted the homeowner to this small Western Diamondback Rattlesnake on the patio. The snake was easily captured and relocated to suitable microhabitat within its estimated home range.
From Marissa: “Earlier in the morning the homeowner was out with his dog in the back yard when they ran into a rattlesnake and his dog was bitten. He rushed his dog to the vet which ended up being ok but didn’t know where the snake had went. This home backs up to a mountain preserve, so I wasn’t sure if the snake had stuck around, but after searching the whole yard, I checked one last place behind a box on the back patio, and there it was.”
Rattlesnake Fencing added to a unique backyard situation, leaving no gap small enough for the tiniest baby rattlesnake to get through or low enough for the largest to climb over.
