Spring sun in Arizona warms the ground resulting in the emergence of small wildlife and reptiles. This explosion, particularly of small rodents (Rabbits, Pack Rats, Round Tailed Ground Squirrels, Harris's Antelope Squirrels-look like an Eastern Chipmunk, and Kangaroo Rats, and Mice), attract one of their strongest natural predators-snakes.
Of particular interest to the homeowner, business owner, and Property Management Company, is the fact that snakes, which, as the ground warms, begin hunting and foraging around foundations, woodpiles, patios, under bushes, and open garages. In the heat of the summer, snakes are seen well into the night, as they appear on paved roads, patios, and garage cement slabs in order to absorb the heat. In the spring, however, as the ground warms, they are seen more in the daytime and move to protected areas earlier in the evening because, since they are cold blooded, their activity slows in parallel with the temperature.
Snakes serve a very important role in the cycle of life in the Sonoran Desert because, along with Raptors, Raccoons, Skunks, Coyotes, Ringtails, Bobcats, Gila Monsters, and other rodent predators, snakes help keep these nuisance rodents in check. Learning to live with snakes, however, is a challenge to some. The question is how to recognize and accept snakes in close proximity to a home or business and, when to call for help in capture and relocation of those which are determined to be dangerous to family, pets, and visitors.
1st Response Wildlife helps by working with homeowners, business owners, and Property Management companies to identify, evaluate, educate, and, when necessary, relocate snakes. There are snakes which are essentially harmless and great to have around and there are others which, after an evaluation and discussion in regard to their proximity and threat to animals and people, should be relocated.
Whether you decide to request a service call by 1st Response Wildlife to capture and relocate a snake on your property or not, it is probably a good idea to become familiar with a few of the most common snakes seen in and around the greater Tucson area and in the Sonoran Desert-particularly if you hike, have young children, pets, or invite frequent visitors to your home or business. (You can have your dog(s) snake-avoidance trained but, while this may keep your pet safe, if your dog encounters a snake on your property, you still have the dilemma of how to deal with it.)
While Arizona has the largest number of rattlesnakes of any state, and several relatively harmless non-venomous or less venomous snakes, many of the rattlers here are only found in specific regions of the state. What this means is that in the greater Tucson area and, unless you are hiking or exploring at higher altitudes, the species of rattlers you will see in this area are fairly predictable. Below are 6 of the most commonly seen snakes you may see. Three are rattlers and three are beneficial to have around. All consume the rodents, mentioned above, lizards, or even insects.
Most common rattlesnake seen is the Western Diamondback-note the viper shaped head and striped tail
Also seen pretty routinely in certain parts of the Sonoran Desert is the Mohave/Mojave Rattlesnake
Seen in the flat desert in greater Tucson, Marana, etc., often at night, is the Sidewinder Rattlesnake. In addition to its viper shaped head, Sidewinder Rattlesnakes have what look like distinguishing horns, actually protruding scale formations, above each eye.
Beneficial to have around and an excellent rodent hunter, is the Gopher Snake.
Also beneficial as a rodent hunter as well as a snake predator-to include rattlesnakes, is the King Snake.
Less often see in the daytime, but often seen in the evening or night is the Long Nosed Snake.
Note the distinct difference between the poisonous snakes and the beneficial snakes. The rattlers are all pit vipers, have rattles, and have distinct shapes to their heads. The beneficial snakes have no rattles, have more pointed and smooth heads and are usually constrictors.
Snakes can be discovered on your property, observed while hiking, or discovered while you are doing some gardening, working in your garage, or playing outdoors with pets or children-essentially any time. Foraging for prey will take them to search your garage, wood piles, slither under and around bushes, coil up by your planters, and, even cross your property in plain sight.
If you encounter a snake, are unsure of its classification, the best advice is to leave it alone and quietly back away. However, if you would like to consider having it removed, please give 1st Response Wildlife a call.
Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife
Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517
Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7. Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!
Nice distinction of the different types of snakes. Good advice on how to handle them too when your not sure of what to do when you encounter one
Posted by: Mart Bandee | 12/15/2016 at 03:44 AM