The family dog gets credit for finding this exceptionally pretty Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake beside a home in North Phoenix.

With rocky mountain habitat nearby, it hadn’t wandered far from exactly the kind of landscape this species calls home. Jason captured the snake and relocated it within its estimated home range, releasing it into deep cover among the large rocks on the nearby mountain.

It quickly disappeared into a landscape where a speckled rattlesnake is very good at becoming almost invisible.

This beauty was tucked against a Phoenix home enjoying the shady back patio. The mountainside property has thick vegetation and sprinklers running throughout the yard and even into the desert. With water, shade and rocky habitat available, it’s no surprise we get several snakes here each year.

This guy was hanging around right outside of several hotel room doors and making a real speck-tacle of himself. He was parked outside a deep cave I su-specked has been used by other snakes before as it went deep inside the rock. It was at an awkward angle with a structural pillar in the way and it was able to slip away into the cave on my first attempt. Went back about an hour later and was able to get him secured in the bucket. Walked him on the other side of the ridge and was able to find him a speck-tacular north facing cave just above a wash. – CJ

This Paradise Valley homeowner spotted a Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake near her front door and kept an eye on it as it slowly explored the front yard while waiting for Marissa to arrive. By the time she got there, the snake had made its way onto the patio, where it was safely secured. The home sits right against the mountain, surrounded by boulders and excellent native habitat. With bird feeders attracting plenty of Gambel’s Quail, the yard offered abundant food for local wildlife, making it easy to see why such a beautiful snake was passing through. After the removal, it was relocated within its estimated home range to suitable rocky habitat away from homes.