Maggie was called out ot a home with a rattlesnake hanging out next to a watering station in the chicken coop! The chickens stayed away, thankfully, and really didn’t seem to even care about it.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was safely relocated to a nearby preserve.
Maggie and Cheyenne teamed up to try and find a teenie tiny snake in a home. After some effort, Cheyenne found the little snake hiding behind a bookcase. They caught the juvenile Coachwhip and relocated it to a network of rodent burrows within its estimated home range. The coachwhip, of course, wasn’t a fan of any of this, but he’s got a long life to learn who his friends are!
A quick step out the front door to get a package revealed a visitor at this home in Mesa. This shaded corner, which never gets sun during the day, was a nice spot for this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to hide out until temperatures cooled for the day.
A new rattlesnake fence installation at this large property looking great! By great, we mean you can barely see it unless you’re looking for it.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
A homeowner sent in a photo of a shed skin, worrying it could be from a rattlesnake. Marissa let her know it was from a harmless California Kingsnake. However, the homeowner still wanted to have the property inspected, to make sure other snakes that aren’t as harmless weren’t also living there. The yard was nice and cool, shaded with plants and lots of available water, which was also being used by some owls. No rattlesnakes were found, though a kingsnake, perhaps the owner of the shed skin which prompted the call, was found and moved a short distance.
Sometimes a rattlesnake can be waited out to see if it will just leave, and sometimes that’s not really an option. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found coiled right up against the front door is an example. Shaded entryways are often places rattlesnakes are found, which isn’t exactly loved by the local delivery drivers. This one was relocated to a safer area for all involved.
A Sonoran Gophersnake was spotted shedding its skin in a tub full of mint in a garden. Once it was identified as a harmless species, it was left alone to finish changing its clothes.
Nick was called out to pick up this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found cruising around a backyard in Tucson. While he was hiking it out to release, he spotted another Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in ambush, a good indication that he’s found the right spot.
To those who have followed us for awhile: what in the photos might a reason this snake was here and what could be done to prevent future encounters?
A homeowner called about a rattlesnake curled up right by the front door. When Austin arrived, the snake was in the same spot. During the hottest times of summer, we usually don’t need to worry too much about a snake seen mid-day moving around … they’re trapped by the heat in the place they are. The snake was released to deep cover within its estimated home range.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake taking advantage of a dripping pipe in 110Λ weather. Without ways to hide and stay cool, these temperatures can be lethal to rattlesnakes very quickly. This can make relocating them especially challenging during the summer months, but Nick was able to find a deep, dark spot for it to get out of the heat.
Watch that last step!
Small snakes are often found inside homes. This Western Groundsnake is one of the most common species to find in these situations. Austin responded to a call to Mesa to retrieve this one, which was described as a much larger snake initially. This one is certainly not a big snake, but it’s pretty large for a groundsnake! It was released to some watered-grass within its home range so it can continue eating bugs and being cool.
A Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake was seen hanging out by the fron door of a Phoenix home for a few days. With temperatures above 115ΛF that day, this snake was not going to leave its cool hiding spot next to the water. Marissa helped it get to a better spot, directly into deep cover that would be suitable for a naturally aestivating speckled rattlesnake.
A homeowner found this second rattlesnake inside the perimeter of a backyard that had snake fencing installed (not by Rattlesnake Solutions). The first was a larger Western Diamondback Rattlesnake that left before Joss arrived. There were some openings left by whoever had installed it, which had not been addressed.
Rattlesnakes near front entrances of homes are common. You can help keep them moving along by keeping the corners free of decorative elements, pots, etc. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found a nice hiding spot behind a monkey (that’s a fun sentence). Marissa helped the snake get to a better spot.
A perfect aestivation spot to beat the summer heat β a packrat nest at the base of a pool pump. Out of the way, higher ambient moisture, few visitors, and insulated by a busy roommate (the packrat!). The snake was just barely visible, with only a small bit of scaley skin seen through the twigs and sticks. The other photo, with the rattle disappearing, is the replacement packrat midden where Joss released it later.
A visitor while Mark and Brent were working on a rattlesnake fence installation. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was likely a regular visitor to the backyard, but now has to find another spot to hide out.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake showed up on the job site for our newest snake fence installation apprentice, Ethan. Work stopped for just a bit to carefully collect the snake to get some mutually-beneficial space while the installation continued. These moments can be important for our team, to always remember why we are there and how important every detail is in the installation process.
The homeowner in Chandler went into the garage to grab something when she saw the snake stuck in a sticky trap by the back door. It was a juvenile gophersnake. Marissa was able to get the snake free, with what look to be superficial injuries. It was released to keep doing they do best: remove far more rodents from the environment than these sticky traps ever will.
A homeowner let the dog out into the backyard and hear that “strange bark” that alerts so many homeowners to a visitor. The snake moved around in the yard while Marissa was on route, and it was found in the back corner cruising around in the bit of shade that was left. Heat in even mid morning right now can be deadly, so this snake may have been displaced and got lucky that it was seen and moved to a cooler area.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found behind a backyard grill in Tucson. Derek brought it to a safer spot.
CJ was called to pick up a little Western Diamondback Rattlesnake on a Sunday morning. It was in a bit of an odd place, at a home on the interior of the community with no obvious access through the maze of stucco and cinderblock to the spot it was found. He found a nice, dense shaded area with a series of rodent burrows to release it, outside of the neighborhoods.
It’s very hard to see the materials added to this viewfence that make it inaccessible to rattlesnakes. It’s so hard to see, in fact, that if we just post photos like this without mentioning it, we get all kinds of angry faces in our comments. Thanks for proving the point, fellas!
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
A homeowner went to get package from a doorstep and spotted something else instead. This young Western Diamondback Rattlesnake had found something to eat that was likely almost as big as it was, so Jeff was very careful to handle as gently as possible to make sure it didn’t lose its hard-won meal. He found a deep packrat nest to release it to.
A homeowner called for a rattlesnake in the backyard. Austin found this large Western Diamondback Rattlesnake settling into some flat dirt between a couple of bushes. The home backs up directly to the open desert, so the property was essentially an oasis, offering some water and shade in these brutal conditions. The snake was taken into the nearby preserve to find the right spot β a dense packrat midden nestled into rocks in a location where aestivation is likely already happening.
Jeff found this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake resting in a backyard while putting together an estimate for rattlesnake fencing at a property near Tucson. Sometimes, the need for the preventative service make themselves obivous.
From Greyson: “Got called out to Morristown/Wickenburg to capture this stunner of a speckled rattlesnake. The fountain itβs located in sits next to a main wash that is overlooked by a cliff face where this snake has likely spent its entire life. The property is essentially an oasis, it sits on the mouth of a wash nestled between two cliffs. “
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was hiding out in the shade in mid-day heat. Nick found it on a property inspection near Oro Valley.
For more information on our Property Inspection service: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/rattlesnake-prevention.php
Greyson made a friend in a backyard in the Vistancia area. The backyard had some “snake fencing” that was the wrong size, wrong height, had lots of gaps, and otherwise was unfortunately just a waste of money for the homeowners. Internally we call this “the landscaper special”, an example of why we got into the snake fencing game to begin with. Greyson found a better home for this snake.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was discovered by the homeowner when she went out to feed the horses. She tried to capture the snake, but ultimately decided it was safest to wait for a professional to arrive. The barn was much cooler than the rest of the area, making it hard for an animal to resist when it’s as hot as it is outside right now. Marissa helped the snake along to a better spot to aestivate.
Well, that’s one way to try to get over snake fencing.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was spotted by a resident at an apartment complex, apparently waiting for the elevator. Thankfully, it was safely moved to a better spot before [insert elevator-themed joke of your choice]
The pool guy walked into the backyard and spotted this snake headed towards the gate, and got out of there. Marissa arrived shortly after to try and find it … but had no luck in the backyard where it was last seen. She thought to check the neighbor’s property, and sure enough, the snake was coiled in the shade in the courtyard.
Wow, this property turned out amazing! Rattlesnake Fence installation from Elias and Daylan. No gaps, no climbable surfaces, trenched in and secure.
Hey buddy, can’t you read the sign???
While tending to outdoor plants, a homeowner noticed she had a visitor. The patio is a nice, shady area with some higher ambient moisture thanks to the plants, so seemed like a nice place to hang out. The homeowner didn’t agree, however, so Cory went out to help the snake find a better spot to be.
The homeowner noticed a small snake curled up in a shaded corner of the front entryway. He sent a photo to chatgpt, which correctly identified it as a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. For all the fun stuff AI can do, however, it still can’t catch a rattlesnake. So, Maggie went out and helped the snake along to a packrat nest where it can stay out of the heat.
Dane went out to this house around midnight to pick up a Mojave Rattlesnake in the Prescott Valley area, and got another call in the morning for a second snake. This is at a large subdivision backed up to open grassland, so the presence of homes is more or less an oasis situation. This snake got a ride back to a safer spot.
And … notice the color of this snake is not green. Mojaves in this area seldom are.
A homeowner let her dog out and heard it barking at something it had cornered in the back of the yard. She then saw the big rattlesnake and got the dog inside, unharmed. Marissa caught the snake slithering alongtryihng to escape the property. The home backed up to some desert and a nice drainage area, so she helped it do just that. Along the way, this sign says it all about what it’s like to work outside this time of year π
A dog spotted this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in the yard. Thankfully, the homeowner was back there as well and was able to get the pup inside safely. The backyard wasn’t especially shade, so this snake was just a visitor, though as almost all rattlesnakes are found during the peak heat of summer, has been living very nearby for quite some time.
Another rattlesnake spotted while taking measurements for a rattlesnake fencing quote. Jeff spotted this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake hiding out in the shade at a property in Tucson.
With abundant natural habitat nearby, installing a physical barrier to keep them out of the situation of most critical contact is effective and sustainable. It’s a win-win for wildlife that is often otherwise killed on sight, and homeowners that want to enjoy their backyards with small children and pets.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
This Chuckwalla was living near a front door. It’s an entirely harmless animal, but we know by now what happens if we push too hard on that fact and refuse to help.
Reptiles, even harmless ones, often scare people. Especially “our” side of things, it’s easy to forget people are often conditioned from childhood to fear these animals. Curing that isn’t as simple, and can take some time, eduction, and more than anything, the will to change it. We do all we can.
In the meantime, when a second chuck showed up, they were gently fished out of the gap by the door and moved to nearby boulders.
More about why we sometimes relocate harmless snakes: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/snakeblog/rattlesnake-solutions/why-relocate-harmless-snakes/
A homeowner called to have a leaking outdoor faucet repaired. It was in a shaded courtyard, making for a pretty good spot to spend the heat of the day. The plumber came, he reported “two rattlesnakes” under the overhang of the home. Marissa arrived and found two large Sonoran Gophersnakes hiding out under there. The homeowner let them stay, with this news π
A small Western Diamondback Rattlesnake by the front door. This is also a good example of why sometimes, relocating a snake is necessary. It’s easy to be idealistic and imagine people with visitors, kids, and packages coming can ignore this situation. It’s lazy to blame them for having purchased a home and existing in modern times. However, both are useless; these situations warrant responsible action, which in this case was to place the young snake into a carefully selected spot within its existing home range, and discussing the situation with homeowners to help prevent the next encounter.
On a recent rattlesnake fence installation, Brent and Mark were working right above this young Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. When they were finished, this little one won’t be able to visit the back patio any more, and will need to remain in the wild areas on the other side of the fence.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
Can you identify each of these snakes from recent relocation calls?
