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Posted: 3/5/2021 8:06:57 PM EDT
With the weather beginning to warm up, we'll all be enjoying more time outdoors, and rattlesnake encounters will begin to increase throughout Az.
Rattlesnakes remain active to some degree every month of the year in several Az counties, but the warmer weather has them moving farther from their hibernaculum as they begin to look for food and love. Thought I'd start a thread to post field pics of native rattlesnakes, preferably pics not documenting their demise, for ID purpose or general discussion. I'll start of with one of the most commonly encountered species in Az, a Western Diamondback I escorted off of SR 85 N of Gila Bend a few years ago. 
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Posted: 3/6/2021 1:19:44 AM EDT
[#1]
I only escort buzzworms off the earth by feeding them lead.
 Especially them mean green variants! had 2 close encounters with those bastards. They will not stand down! 
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Posted: 3/6/2021 9:53:44 AM EDT
[#2]
If I see one out in the desert I will leave it alone, but if I see one in the my yard, it is toast.
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Posted: 3/6/2021 11:16:34 AM EDT
[#3]
The rare and deadly Arizona striped rattle snake.
 
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Posted: 3/6/2021 11:22:38 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryNice find! |
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Posted: 3/6/2021 1:23:17 PM EDT
[#5]
I had one of those in my yard a few years ago and thought it was a king snake.
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Posted: 3/6/2021 1:33:30 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had one of those in my yard a few years ago and thought it was a king snake. It is, it's an Az Mountain Kingsnake. Are you up north, or southeast Az? |
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Posted: 3/6/2021 2:25:37 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryLooks like a milk snake, Non-Poisonous. Nursery rhyme, to differentiate from nonvenomous king snake: Red on black, friend of Jack Red on yellow, unlucky fellow |
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Posted: 3/6/2021 2:28:53 PM EDT
[#8]
Snakes are the only reason to carry a Judge or Governor with .410 birdshot. I had a Diamondback crawl up behind me and a buddy while we were bird hunting, weirdest thing I had seen a snake do - hunting US. We, the buddy had a 38 with snake shot and he feasted on rattlesnake for dinner. I have little to no use for rattlers, but the non poisonous snakes like hognose and such, great to have around.
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Posted: 3/6/2021 3:51:57 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Looks like a milk snake, Non-Poisonous. Nursery rhyme, to differentiate from nonvenomous king snake: Red on black, friend of Jack Red on yellow, unlucky fellow Quote HistoryQuoted: Nursery rhyme, to differentiate from nonvenomous king snake: Red on black, friend of Jack Red on yellow, unlucky fellow It's an AZ king snake hence the smile icon. |
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Posted: 3/6/2021 4:29:54 PM EDT
[#10]
The AZ king snake was found when my son and I were hiking to the top of Granite Mountain in Prescott. It was the most docile snake I had ever encountered in the wild. My son picked it up off the trail and it didn't try to escape. He carried it to the top where we posed it for that picture. Carried half way back down the mountain and released it where it was found. All the time is was very comfortable being held.
My house is somewhere in the background of that pic. |
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Posted: 3/6/2021 8:40:13 PM EDT
[#11]
I saw a small King in the garage the other day. He booked into a small hole. Little guy.
The only rattler that I have seen here recently was smashed on the road. About 12"long. Our old house had a bunch of gophers. All sizes. Apparently, the owners had them removed.  Killed.  |
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Posted: 3/6/2021 8:42:31 PM EDT
[#12]
Had a baby king snake get in my house (still don't know how) and ojne of the cats was about to go into hunting mode when I spotted it. Was the most docile snake I've ever handled. Was concerned it would bit me and hurt itself but didn't struggle to get away or try to strike me.
Let it go outside and hope it's bigger and still around but who knows. 
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Posted: 3/6/2021 8:54:10 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Had a baby king snake get in my house (still don't know how) and ojne of the cats was about to go into hunting mode when I spotted it. Was the most docile snake I've ever handled. Was concerned it would bit me and hurt itself but didn't struggle to get away or try to strike me. Let it go outside and hope it's bigger and still around but who knows. https://i.imgur.com/5CxxNAz.jpg We had a big one at the old house. Dude was the King. AZJeeper will not give me his number. I have pics and videos of the gophers, Kings, and other sneks in our old house. |
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Posted: 3/8/2021 8:39:01 PM EDT
[#14]
I had 3 kings and an occasional gopher snake at the old house. They were very much welcome. Never had a critter issue. Also found a whip snake once. Never had seen one and had to google it. He was munchin on a lizard.
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Posted: 3/8/2021 10:05:41 PM EDT
[#15]
Every year I almost step on a rattler it seems in the back country. Haven't been bit yet lucky. The underachieving ones scare me the most, need the ones that rattle to breed more.
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Posted: 3/8/2021 11:57:30 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryAny photos of our real deal, Micruroides euryxanthus? 
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Posted: 3/9/2021 5:10:14 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Any photos of our real deal, Micruroides euryxanthus? https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/4bk3Ozd5GxnGlK7hWdoxiwo6oZWLa9N57QRNun6iRrPKkr0w0pgoeeA6V0G0hzOsUTqjOs-dIXJon5nKxuCo_MwKH8ielDYSb6NeT-brRHz22A Quote HistoryQuoted: Any photos of our real deal, Micruroides euryxanthus? https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/4bk3Ozd5GxnGlK7hWdoxiwo6oZWLa9N57QRNun6iRrPKkr0w0pgoeeA6V0G0hzOsUTqjOs-dIXJon5nKxuCo_MwKH8ielDYSb6NeT-brRHz22A Not my pic, borrowed from the interwebs. 
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Posted: 3/9/2021 5:22:21 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Every year I almost step on a rattler it seems in the back country. Haven't been bit yet lucky. The underachieving ones scare me the most, need the ones that rattle to breed more. They're all capable of rattling. In some instances, they may choose to remain motionless in an attempt to blend in with their surroundings and go unnoticed, only rattling if the perceived threat does not retreat. |
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Posted: 3/10/2021 12:14:59 PM EDT
[#19]
This is Elvis -The King-...
 at close to 5' and a frequent visitor in our yard he (or she?) seems to keep the buzzers away. |
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Posted: 4/3/2021 3:40:12 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryHuachuca Mountains? |
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Posted: 4/3/2021 8:39:36 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had one of those in my yard a few years ago and thought it was a king snake. Red next to black is a friend of Jack. Red next to yellow will kill a fellow. |
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Posted: 4/3/2021 9:03:26 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is Elvis -The King-... https://i.imgur.com/SGTlxCM.jpg at close to 5' and a frequent visitor in our yard he (or she?) seems to keep the buzzers away. If you ever don't want him in your yard let me know. I'll come pick him up.
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Posted: 4/3/2021 11:11:13 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is Elvis -The King-... https://i.imgur.com/SGTlxCM.jpg at close to 5' and a frequent visitor in our yard he (or she?) seems to keep the buzzers away. Nice! That Cal King will definitely keep the buzztails away! |
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Posted: 4/4/2021 12:12:36 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice! That Cal King will definitely keep the buzztails away! Had one of those as the 3rd grade class "pet." Maybe a foot long. Directly responsible for my feelings that snakes are cool and deserve respect (don't try to pick up a flipping rattler, no matter how much you've had to drink) I'd love to see some az corals in the wild and shoot them with a camera. |
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Posted: 4/4/2021 1:14:38 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Had one of those as the 3rd grade class "pet." Maybe a foot long. Directly responsible for my feelings that snakes are cool and deserve respect (don't try to pick up a flipping rattler, no matter how much you've had to drink) I'd love to see some az corals in the wild and shoot them with a camera. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Nice! That Cal King will definitely keep the buzztails away! Had one of those as the 3rd grade class "pet." Maybe a foot long. Directly responsible for my feelings that snakes are cool and deserve respect (don't try to pick up a flipping rattler, no matter how much you've had to drink) I'd love to see some az corals in the wild and shoot them with a camera. A very secretive and rarely seen snake. Your best bet would be to hike washes at night during monsoon season, preferably right after a storm. |
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Posted: 4/4/2021 2:28:27 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A very secretive and rarely seen snake. Your best bet would be to hike washes at night during monsoon season, preferably right after a storm. Saw one once in Cave Creek hiking early AM. Tiny little thing too. But I knew it packed some potent venom. Beautiful snake. |
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Posted: 4/5/2021 12:16:33 PM EDT
[#27]
I came across a Coral Snake on one of the trails in Thunderbird Park about 14 years ago. During the same period, I cane across a couple of rattlers, one of which I discovered on a trail only by the sound of its rattles being dragged across rocks as it crossed the trail. That's when I quit running those trails before daylight.
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Posted: 4/22/2021 8:51:24 PM EDT
[#28]
What are some good herping spots near Tuscon? I will be visiting in May and want to try to find some new species I haven't caught before.
Thanks! |
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Posted: 4/22/2021 10:03:20 PM EDT
[#29]
Have seen a few in my yard here in Tucson close to Sabino Canyon. 2 acres and fence is open iron. No keeping the little critters out. Neighbors say I need to add a snake fence along the bottom. Haven't had any close encounters. Wife says "no killing" because they eat the squirrels and pack rats which I don't have a problem with. Last one I saw disappeared into a pack rat nest. Hope our two new dogs manage to avoid them.
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Posted: 4/23/2021 11:53:59 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What are some good herping spots near Tuscon? I will be visiting in May and want to try to find some new species I haven't caught before. Thanks! Which species? |
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Posted: 4/23/2021 2:39:27 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Have seen a few in my yard here in Tucson close to Sabino Canyon. 2 acres and fence is open iron. No keeping the little critters out. Neighbors say I need to add a snake fence along the bottom. Haven't had any close encounters. Wife says "no killing" because they eat the squirrels and pack rats which I don't have a problem with. Last one I saw disappeared into a pack rat nest. Hope our two new dogs manage to avoid them. My wife and I had our two cattle dogs trained to avoid rattlesnakes. They learned quick and the follow-up visit confirmed it. One of them is good at indicating the presence of snakes around and letting me know. Look in your area for snake avoidance trainers. |
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Posted: 4/24/2021 1:39:18 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Which species? Pretty much anything native. I haven't had the time on any other trips and I've caught most things native to the midwest which isn't a very impressive list. Planning on spending a day or two hiking the Santa Catalina preserve. |
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Posted: 4/24/2021 2:40:03 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Pretty much anything native. I haven't had the time on any other trips and I've caught most things native to the midwest which isn't a very impressive list. Planning on spending a day or two hiking the Santa Catalina preserve. You have a good chance of seeing snakes in the Santa Catalina preserve. I usually see snakes more during the early morning hours or around sun down. Saguaro National Park may be a good area. I have seen a lot of diamond backs on Redington road from the Chimney Rocks cut off east to the San Pedro river and then all along Cascabel road from San Manuel down to where Cascabel turns to pavement north of Benson. There is a lot of private property along most of this route. Also, you may not be allowed to catch snakes in a National Park. If you wanted to extend your range even further, Kartchner Caverns south of Benson, French Joes canyon in the Whetstone mountains, the Huachuca mountains near Sierra Vista. |
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Posted: 4/25/2021 12:55:02 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Pretty much anything native. I haven't had the time on any other trips and I've caught most things native to the midwest which isn't a very impressive list. Planning on spending a day or two hiking the Santa Catalina preserve. Sabino Canyon, Madera Canyon would both be good spots, and close. A hunting license is required for take, no take in preserves and Nat'l Parks. |
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Posted: 4/27/2021 1:17:33 AM EDT
[#35]
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Posted: 4/27/2021 10:59:36 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Arizona Ridge Nose Rattlesnake. First one I’ve ever seen in Az. Madera Canyon https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83786/38BEBFDF-3C40-4A63-9B5E-F3455972F687_jpe-1920668.JPG Nice! Look at those eyes! |
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Posted: 4/27/2021 1:57:30 PM EDT
[#37]
Part of my security position at this resort was to catch and relocate snakes. Got a call that a snake was around the spa. I found I and it was the biggest King snake I’ve ever seen. It was at least 4 feet long. I had video but I can’t find it. The funny thing is that a lady from Sweden was there and asked if she could touch my uhhh snake.
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Posted: 4/27/2021 6:49:51 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Arizona Ridge Nose Rattlesnake. First one I’ve ever seen in Az. Madera Canyon https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83786/38BEBFDF-3C40-4A63-9B5E-F3455972F687_jpe-1920668.JPG Az State reptile, always great to see one! |
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Posted: 4/27/2021 7:48:48 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Az State reptile, always great to see one! Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Arizona Ridge Nose Rattlesnake. First one I’ve ever seen in Az. Madera Canyon https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83786/38BEBFDF-3C40-4A63-9B5E-F3455972F687_jpe-1920668.JPG Az State reptile, always great to see one! I’ve seen hundreds of Diamondbacks. Never a Ridge Nosed until the other day. |
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Posted: 4/27/2021 9:02:59 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've seen hundreds of Diamondbacks. Never a Ridge Nosed until the other day. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Arizona Ridge Nose Rattlesnake. First one I've ever seen in Az. Madera Canyon https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83786/38BEBFDF-3C40-4A63-9B5E-F3455972F687_jpe-1920668.JPG Az State reptile, always great to see one! I've seen hundreds of Diamondbacks. Never a Ridge Nosed until the other day. Just Kings at the new house. There are two Long-nosed snakes here now. They are small and shy. I miss the gophers. Those things ate well. I need them here to deal with the rodents. |
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Posted: 4/28/2021 10:54:25 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I’ve seen hundreds of Diamondbacks. Never a Ridge Nosed until the other day. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Arizona Ridge Nose Rattlesnake. First one I’ve ever seen in Az. Madera Canyon https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83786/38BEBFDF-3C40-4A63-9B5E-F3455972F687_jpe-1920668.JPG Az State reptile, always great to see one! I’ve seen hundreds of Diamondbacks. Never a Ridge Nosed until the other day. One of three protected montane species that occur in the Sky Island mountains of south east Az. Here's one from the Huachuca Mts a few years ago. 
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Posted: 4/28/2021 12:37:20 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: One of three protected montane species that occur in the Sky Island mountains of south east Az. Here's one from the Huachuca Mts a few years ago. https://live.staticflickr.com/280/19606949454_641595e022_b.jpg Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Arizona Ridge Nose Rattlesnake. First one I’ve ever seen in Az. Madera Canyon https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83786/38BEBFDF-3C40-4A63-9B5E-F3455972F687_jpe-1920668.JPG Az State reptile, always great to see one! I’ve seen hundreds of Diamondbacks. Never a Ridge Nosed until the other day. One of three protected montane species that occur in the Sky Island mountains of south east Az. Here's one from the Huachuca Mts a few years ago. https://live.staticflickr.com/280/19606949454_641595e022_b.jpg “sky islands”. That’s probably why I finally saw one. I just started hiking again several months ago for wildlife photography and been going to Madera Canyon a lot. |
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Posted: 4/28/2021 3:00:35 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: One of three protected montane species that occur in the Sky Island mountains of south east Az. Here's one from the Huachuca Mts a few years ago. https://live.staticflickr.com/280/19606949454_641595e022_b.jpg Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Arizona Ridge Nose Rattlesnake. First one I've ever seen in Az. Madera Canyon https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83786/38BEBFDF-3C40-4A63-9B5E-F3455972F687_jpe-1920668.JPG Az State reptile, always great to see one! I've seen hundreds of Diamondbacks. Never a Ridge Nosed until the other day. One of three protected montane species that occur in the Sky Island mountains of south east Az. Here's one from the Huachuca Mts a few years ago. https://live.staticflickr.com/280/19606949454_641595e022_b.jpg I need your number before I take a shovel to a rattler. I hate to kill things. |
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