I have lived in AZ for over 20 years and I know rattlers, scorpions, coyotes and other native creatures come with the territory but this spring I have seen more rattlers then ever before.

Most of the time they are in the desert where they belong but a few weeks ago we encountered one on the aide of the walking path at night and it almost got one of my dogs. Then last week there was a rather large, angry one blocking said path in the shadows that we had to help along his way to get by. Last night, again, my least intelligent dog almost stepped on a baby (the other two dogs stayed as far away as possible).

For the most part this bike/walking path is both well lit and well traveled but runs along a wash. We have taken to both carrying super bright cree lights to be safer.

I'm in San Diego (PQ area) and we've been seeing the same here.

Thanks. Mom lives in Surprise. I'll advice her to get some snapshot.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Thanks. Mom lives in Surprise. I'll advice her to get some snapshot.

I am right next to Surprise....tell her to keep an eye out, I just looked at my community Next Door page and there be a lot of snake chatter

Viruses and giant hornets and rattlesnakes: Oh, my!

Of the three, I’d prefer the last, but I’d most prefer none of the above. Just be careful.

It's not so bad.
Yet.

Wait til they hybridize with sharks and twisters.

Guess who's fault it is? The quick answer is those who live and let live. Kill every one of the bastards you come across. Carry a hoe (its ok if its dirty). Kill it real dead, its OK to over do it even. Then kill it again. Then when you get home, sharpen the hoe again. Just so it'll be ready the next time. You can even practice out in the garden. Improve your stroke.

There's actually a festival for these things, if you can believe it.

I've had a few close calls while horseback trailing cattle to summer pasture in the Missouri River Breaks. I hate 'em.

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:
There's actually a festival for these things, if you can believe it.

Annual Rattlesnake hunt in Pennsylvania, too.

http://www.noxenpa.com/snakes.html

 
While the Western Diamondback is the most prevalent rattler in AZ, we are oh so fortunate to live in an area where the climate, environment, and whatever else makes it ideal for the Mojave rattler to thrive. I see 8 Mojaves for every 2 Diamondbacks around our neighborhood. Our immediate environs (the 2 or so acres around the house) has been cleared of all bush-like vegetation. The various rodents around here prefer to tunnel under and live under those bushes. Removing the food source goes a long way to keeping the rattlers away. Our other 4 acres are native desert.

Have any of you had or know anyone that has had them get into their homes?

I got a panicked call from a tenant one afternoon about a rattlesnake that had gotten into her kitchen when she left her door open. By the time I got there a neighbor had dispatched the creature with a garden hoe.

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:
Guess who's fault it is? The quick answer is those who live and let live. Kill every one of the bastards you come across.

I collect each one I encounter and return it to the wild.

They're beneficial.

quote:

Originally posted by Bulldog7972:
Have any of you had or know anyone that has had them get into their homes?

Just waiting....my wife leaves outside doors open all the time.

I just scared off a northern AZ Black Rattlesnake from behind my shop this morning. As long as it stays away from the house, it'll get a reprieve. To many rodents, not enough traps, already this spring.

They taste pretty good deep fried... but the secret is in the breading....

Damn, so glad I live where it is cold six months out of the year!!

I just signed up for venomous snake training on May 23. I tried a month ago, but the event was canceled due to the shutdown. I can't wait. I've only ever seen a Rattlesnake in the wild in Zion Nat. Park. All the others were in zoos.

I had an Eastern Diamondback on my freaking stoop to get into the house the other day. My kids and I got out of the car, approached the house, and the kids were about 2 feet way from it when they said, "Dad, look , a snake".

Almost step on snek, snek no more.

I leave em alone in the wild. In my yard with the kids almost stepping on them, they die.