Amid the warm weather, keep an eye out for rattlesnakes.
When high temperatures in the Valley reach 80 degrees we can look forward to perfect conditions ... for snakes.
According to Daniel Marchand, curator to the Phoenix Herpetological Society Reptile Sanctuary and Zoo in Scottsdale, the desert comes alive when temperatures approach 80.
“That’s when everything comes out of its hibernation or dormant stage,” Marchand said. “Basically around the 80-degree mark is when you start to pay attention. That’s when daytime temperatures are warm enough to start waking them from their burrows underground.”
Roused by the warmth, snakes emerge from their underground lairs to look for food, water and companionship. That can lead to potentially dangerous encounters between reptiles and people.
While many types of snakes pose no threat to people, venomous species — including rattlesnakes — do. According to the Arizona Game & Fish Department there are 13 species of rattlesnakes in the state.
“I don’t care where you live in the state of Arizona, you can have a rattlesnake in your yard,” Marchand said. “In the Valley we have mountain preserves, Camelback Mountain, (Piestewa) Peak. Those are open areas where snakes are thriving.”
Marchand said places such as north Scottsdale, Gold Canyon and other areas with lots of open spaces have the most snake activity. As the weather heats up and dries out, snakes may come closer to homes in search of food and water.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to avoid close encounters with rattlesnakes.
Most importantly, be on the lookout. Avoid reaching under rocks or shrubs without looking first. Be sure to use a flashlight or headlamp when walking at night.
If you’re hiking, Marchand stresses it
is important to stay on trails. Those cleared and compacted paths make it easier to spot snakes. Venturing off trail can lead to trouble.
“If you’re off the trail, you’re not going to see (snakes),” Marchand said. “They’re designed to blend into the environment. They do not want to be seen. That’s what makes them dangerous.”
If you encounter a snake, take a step (or two) back.
“Snakes can only strike at a distance of one-third of their body length,” Marchand said. “A three-foot snake has an effective strike range of 12 inches. The average human stride is 36 inches, so that puts you out of harm’s way.”
Call for help
If someone is bitten, immediately call 911.
While waiting for help, keep the victim calm, remove jewelry and watches from the bite area, keep the bite area below heart level if possible and stay as still as possible. If someone is bitten while out in a remote area, get him or her to a medical facility as soon as possible.
Do not apply ice or a tourniquet to the bite. Do not make an incision and try to suck out the poison. Do not give drugs, alcohol or electric shock treatments.
Rattlesnake removal around your property is not a DIY activity. Someone who tries to remove a rattlesnake without proper equipment or experience could get bitten.
If you encounter a snake in your home or garage, call the non-emergency number for your local fire department. Keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance so you can direct responders to its location.
For other snake-removal needs, call the Phoenix Herpetological Society's hotline at 602550-1090 or the Arizona Herpetological Association at 480-8941625. There also are commercial animal-control companies that handle snakes.
Discourage snakes from your property
The Scottsdale Fire Department's website offers tips for making your property less hospitable to snakes.
» Eliminate rodents — a snake’s preferred food — from around your home.
» Remove wood piles and throw out junk from your yard to eliminate potential homes for snakes and their prey.
» Walls deter snakes from entering your yard. Solid walls 4 feet high with a four-inch lip angling outward will discourage most snakes. Sink the bottom of the wall into the ground. Fill any tunnels burrowed by rodents.
» Install gates snugly against the ground.
» Keep walkways clear of brush.
» Light pathways around your home.