Rattlesnakes
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How common are rattlesnakes in Arizona?
Rattlesnakes are relatively common in Arizona, particularly in the desert and semi-arid regions.
Where are rattlesnakes found in Arizona?
Rattlesnakes are found throughout Arizona, which has a diverse range of habitats suitable for these reptiles. Here are five places where where rattlesnakes are frequently found in Arizona: h Sonoran Desert. h Chiricahua Mountains. h Superstition Mountains. h Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
h Grand Canyon region.
Where are the most rattlesnakes in Arizona?
Some parts of Arizona have more rattlesnakes than others.
“In general, there are more snakes at lower elevations where it’s warmer,” said Brian Sullivan, professor emeritus of herpetology at Arizona State University.
“So if you were to go to Flagstaff, there are fewer snakes. If you were to come to Phoenix, there are more snakes. But it’s still not the case that if we go out on a regular basis we can count on seeing a lot of snakes. We do not live in a place where you count on seeing snakes regularly.”
What time of year do rattlesnakes come out in Arizona?
Rattlesnakes are ectothermic, or cold blooded, and hibernate in winter.
“March is typically viewed as the beginning of activity of most reptile species and that holds for snakes,” said Sullivan. “And then September and October are when their activity declines. And that’s because they’re ectotherms.”
Sullivan said rattlesnakes also tend to be inactive when it’s extremely hot and dry.
“June is often a month that they aren’t very active until the monsoon comes. They’re more active when it’s wet, less active when it’s dry,” said Sullivan.
“One of the ways that you can find snakes more predictably is to go driving on a road in the middle of nowhere out in the desert or out in the forest or even out in the woodland during the summer after rains and you find them on the roadway because they’re ectotherms,” said Brian Sullivan, professor emeritus of herpetology at Arizona State University.
“They come onto the paved road to get warm.”
How many types of rattlesnakes are in Arizona?
That’s a matter of discussion.
“The total number of species depends on who you ask, as there have been some recent divisions. People are constantly revamping whether something’s a species or not but, in general, people think of there being at least 15 different kinds of rattlesnakes in Arizona,” said Sullivan.
Common Arizona rattlesnake species
h Western diamondback rattlesnake. h Mohave rattlesnake. h Black-tailed rattlesnake. h Prairie rattlesnake. h Arizona black rattlesnake. h Tiger rattlesnake. h Banded rock rattlesnake. h Grand Canyon rattlesnake.
Are rattlesnakes protected in Arizona?
In general, rattlesnakes are not endangered or threatened species in Arizona, but they are protected under certain state regulations and laws.
“All the wildlife in Arizona, whether game animals that we hunt, or nongame, which include reptiles and amphibians, are all protected by the state and you require a hunting license to collect or kill one,” said Sullivan. “Some of them you can’t even kill with a hunting license, and that includes some of the rare mountain rattlesnakes.”
“We have some rattlesnakes that are found in the southeastern part of the state, in places like the Chiricahua Mountains,” said Sullivan. “There are some small, very beautiful rattlesnakes that are found just on the very tops of those mountains which are completely protected. You can’t collect them or hunt them or kill them.”
Sullivan said some snakes, like the
Western diamondback rattlesnake, can be collected if you have a hunting license.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department issues permits to collect or possess rattlesnakes for scientific, educational or other purposes. These permits often come with specific requirements and limitations. Go to azgfd.com for the regulations.
What do I do if I find a rattlesnake in my house?
Finding a rattlesnake in your house is scary. It’s important to stay calm and take appropriate steps to ensure your safety and the snake’s well-being. Here’s what to do if you find a rattlesnake in your house:
● Keep your distance: Back away slowly and maintain a safe distance from the snake. Give it plenty of space to move without feeling threatened.
● Secure pets and children: Ensure that pets and children are safely away from the snake. Keep them under close supervision.
● Do not attempt to capture or kill: Engaging with the snake could lead to a bite. “The vast majority of snake bites in Arizona are what we call an illegitimate bite because what we’re trying to imply is the snake didn’t strike you and you were innocent of any sort of behavior that elicited that response,” said Sullivan. “So a legitimate bite would be, I’m walking down the trail innocently and the snakes hiding behind the bush and bites my leg as I go by. We call that a legitimate bite.”
● Contact a professional: Do not attempt to handle the situation on your own. Call a professional snake removal service, pest control company or your local animal control agency.
● Keep an eye on the snake: While waiting for the professionals to arrive, keep an eye on the snake’s location from a safe distance. This will help ensure that it doesn’t move away and become difficult to locate.
What attracts rattlesnakes to your house?
Here are common things that attract rattlesnakes to your house, according to Rattlesnake Solutions, a snake removal company in Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott:
● Food sources: Rattlesnakes feed on small mammals, birds and reptiles. If your property provides habitat for mice, rats and other small animals, rattlesnakes may be attracted.
● Shelter: Rattlesnakes seek shelter from harsh weather conditions. Your house, shed, garage or other structures on your property can provide suitable hiding places and protection from the elements.
● Vegetation: Tall grass, dense shrubs and other vegetation create cover for rattlesnakes and their prey.
● Rock piles and debris: Piles of rocks, firewood, debris or clutter in your yard can create hiding places for rattlesnakes.
How to get rid of rattlesnakes in my house?
The safest course of action is to contact a professional
snake removal service, pest control company or your local animal control agency. These experts have the experience and equipment to safely capture and relocate the snake without causing harm.
“The first thing for anyone who encounters a rattlesnake in their garage, in their house or inside somewhere is to call one of these removal services,” said Sullivan.
What should I do if I encounter a rattlesnake?
Encountering a rattlesnake on the trail or in your yard can be nerve-wracking. Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and usually try to avoid confrontation, but they may strike if they feel threatened.
“Always keep your distance and simply back up and move away,” said Sullivan. “They can’t strike more than about a third of their body length, and the average size of a Western diamondback — which is one of the biggest ones in Arizona — is about three and a half feet long. Near Phoenix, they do not get over about four feet long.”
Sullivan said rattlesnakes are typically coiled up and as long as you’re more than 2 feet away you can simply back up and go in the opposite direction.
When sticking to well-defined hiking trails in open areas, the risk of encountering rattlesnakes is very low, and snake bites are rare. There is a slightly higher risk of accidentally stepping on or near a hidden snake when hiking off trail or amid vegetation or rocky terrain.
“If you’re walking on a trail you don’t really have to worry about it, you’re going to see the snake in the trail,” said Sullivan.
“The trail is wide enough that if you’re in the middle of the trail, they’re not going to be lurking to the side of the trail just waiting for you to come by to latch on to your ankle. That’s not how they work.
“It’s possible that a snake will be coiled on the edge of a trail, but it’s waiting for a little rabbit to come by.”
Are rattlesnakes aggressive to dogs?
Rattlesnakes generally avoid confrontations with dogs and other large animals but may become defensive and strike in self-defense if a dog gets too close or harasses them. The snake usually provides warning signs such as coiling up, rattling their tails and hissing.
What should I do if I encounter a rattlesnake with my dog?
While rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive toward dogs, it’s crucial to keep dogs on a leash to prevent them from approaching or provoking snakes. Bites can occur when dogs investigate or harass rattlesnakes.
“We love them, but many dogs are not used to being out in the environment,” said Sullivan. “And you probably know the type of big goofy friendly sort of dog that just goes bounding around and chasing after anything that you might see out in the park.
“Which is why you should always have your dogs leashed, because then you don’t allow them to run up to a coiled rattlesnake, even though they’re not really intending to kill the snake, they’re just being the exploratory kind of dog they are.”
Here’s what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake with your dog:
Leash and control your dog.
Back away slowly.
Do not try to capture or harm the snake.
Keep your dog calm.