Tag: Rattlesnake

Can you spot the rattlesnake hiding in Arizona backyard?

A Phoenix company that relocates rattlesnakes issued the photo challenge after being summoned to a residence to capture the reptile.

–A version of this post was published by FTW Outdoors in 2021.

A Phoenix-based company that relocates rattlesnakes reported by concerned residents has quizzed Facebook followers by posting the accompanying image and asking:

“Western Diamondback Rattlesnake spotted in a backyard by Dave recently. See it?” (Answer at the bottom of this story.)

Can you spot the rattlesnake? Photo: Rattlesnake Solutions

While many will spot the rattlesnake after a brief inspection, the image reveals how adept rattlesnakes are at blending into their surroundings.

The image was posted to Facebook by Rattlesnake Solutions, which operates in Phoenix and Tucson. The company is licensed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and maintains that snakes are not harmed during capture or relocation.

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Many in the comments section correctly described the location of the rattlesnake in the image. But some were merely intrigued by the prospect of discovering a rattlesnake in one’s yard.

Reads one comment: “Not your average backyard thankfully! Note to self – do not buy a house with a backyard with rocks to hide under in Arizona, in fact buy a condo on the 12th floor!”

For those who would like conformation that their guesses are correct, the snake is circled in the image posted below.

Western diamondback rattlesnake circled in red. Photo: Rattlesnake Solutions

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Can you spot the rattlesnake testing its new hiding place?

The western diamondback rattlesnake had blended almost perfectly into its surroundings near a Tucson home.

–In May we featured an image from Arizona as part of a quiz challenging readers to spot a camouflaged rattlesnake. Below is a repost for those interested in testing their spotting skills.

An Arizona company that relocates rattlesnakes reported by concerned residents has been busy dealing with snakes flushed by rain from more remote hiding spots.

Rattlesnake Solutions shared the accompanying image showing one such reptile: a western diamondback rattlesnake hiding in a new and “less ideal” spot near a Tucson home.

Can you spot the rattlesnake in the accompanying image? (Answer at the bottom of this post.)

Rattlesnake in hiding. Photo courtesy of Rattlesnake Solutions

It’s a difficult quiz for many because only a small part of the snake is visible. Dozens of followers chimed in on the Rattlesnake Solutions Facebook post.

A sampling:

– “Nope. I’d be dead.”

– “Wow! Best camouflage ever.”

– Took me about 5 minutes, that’s crazy camo.”

– “That was tough. Excellent camouflage.”

– “I finally found it.”

Rattlesnake Solutions waited hours before sharing the answer in a separate post. Click here to view that image, showing the snake circled in red.

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Phoenix homeowner ‘shocked’ when welcome mat starts rattling

In Arizona, where there are lots of rattlesnakes, welcome mats can be deceiving. Footage shows the snake being captured.

In Arizona, apparently, welcome mats can be deceiving.

From the Phoenix-based Rattlesnake Solutions, which relocates problem snakes back into wild areas, via Instagram:

“A homeowner got a shock when the welcome mat started rattling at her! Bryce went out to discover a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake hiding under it. You can see the lump here.”

Understandable comment: “New nightmare unlocked.”

The lump is visible in the image atop this post. Below is video footage showing Bryce carefully lifting the mat with plastic tongs and capturing the venomous snake for relocation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAHjookM06e/

 

Bobcat caught on trail-cam ‘spicing up’ menu with rattlesnake

The striking image is reminiscent of “nail-biter” footage – that we’ve included – showing a bobcat battling a rattlesnake.

A motion-sensor camera at the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona has captured a striking image showing a bobcat walking atop a hill with a rattlesnake in its jaws.

“Bobcats like to spice up their usual meal planning with an occasional rattlesnake,” the U.S. Fish ad Wildlife Service explained Thursday via X. “Rabbits and hares tend to be a favorite meal, but venomous snakes make the menu every now and then.”

Although challenging a rattlesnake might seem risky for a bobcat, their quickness and instincts are such to make the task of subduing the reptiles look fairly routine.

Perhaps the most notable example was from “nail-biter” footage captured in California’s Angeles National Forest in 2020. That clip is featured below.

A rattlesnake that climbs trees; why that shouldn’t worry you

“No, this does not mean that they’ll now drop from branches into the yard or on your head,” one rattlesnake expert assured.

An Arizona company that relocates rattlesnakes captured near homes and businesses has shared an image showing a rattlesnake scaling a tree.

“Yes, rattlesnakes can and do climb trees when it suits them,” Rattlesnake Solutions stated Wednesday via Instagram.

Such a revelation might be alarming to folks who had previously thought they only had to watch their step.

But Rattlesnake Solutions attempted to alleviate concerns with the following bullet points:

–“No, this does not mean they can climb all surfaces, including smooth surfaces.”

–“No, this does not mean that they’ll now drop from branches into the yard or on your head.”

–“Yes, your uncle who tells the story about the ‘nest of rattlers that jumped in his boat’ is full of s**t.”

–“No, you do not now need to fear trees knowing this.”

The company explained that the northern blacktailed rattlesnake in the image scaled the tree after being released following its capture near a construction site in Cochise County.

“Upon release to carefully selected habitat, it fled … straight up,” Rattlesnake Solutions continued. “This species, in particular, may spend more time high in trees than is currently realized.”

–Image courtesy of Bryan D. Hughes / Rattlesnake Solutions

Can you spot the rattlesnake hiding after a fresh rain?

Rain has flushed some rattlesnakes out of their winter hiding areas, forcing them to find new areas. Wherever they end up, they can be very difficult to spot.

An Arizona company that relocates rattlesnakes reported by concerned citizens has been busy because recent storms have flushed several snakes from winter hiding spots.

Rattlesnake Solutions on Thursday shared the accompanying image showing one such reptile: a western diamondback rattlesnake hiding in a new and “less ideal” spot near a Tucson residence.

Can you spot the rattlesnake in the Rattlesnake Solutions image accompanying this post? (Answer provided in the link below.)

It’s a difficult quiz (for many) because only a small part of the rattlesnake is visible in the vegetation.

Dozens of followers chimed in on the Rattlesnake Solutions Facebook post.

A sampling:

– “Nope. I’d be dead.”

– “Wow! Best camouflage ever.”

– Took me about 5 minutes, that’s crazy camo.”

– “That was tough. Excellent camouflage.”

– “I finally found it.”

Rattlesnake Solutions waited hours before sharing the answer in another post. Click here to view that image, showing the snake circled in red.

Can you spot the rattlesnake? Property inspector almost didn’t

A property inspector walked past the rattlesnake a few times before spotting the camouflaged reptile.

Rattlesnakes are masters of camouflage and some are more difficult to spot than others.

Can you spot the rattlesnake in the accompanying image? (Answer at bottom of post.)

Photo: Rattlesnake Solutions

The image was captured in Casa Grande, Arizona, by Rattlesnake Solutions, which explained Sunday on Facebook that it took a while for one of its inspectors to locate the snake:

“Even Marissa missed this one, walking past it a few times before spotting the snake on a recent property inspection in Casa Grande. Captured and relocated safely.”

Some followers spotted the snake quickly, while others required a period of visual adjustment before locating the venomous reptile.

“Took me forever to find it and I’m glad it was seen by others before it was stepped upon by ‘anything,’ one follower wrote.

“So easy to have missed this snake, the blend-into-its-surroundings is crazy cool,” reads another comment.

A frustrated follower chimed in: “Still can’t find it.”

The image was reminiscent of another photo shared by Rattlesnake Solutions in 2021, showing a rattlesnake camouflaged in an Arizona man’s yard. Click here to test you spotting skills.

Meanwhile, the Casa Grande rattlesnake relocated by Marissa is circled in red below:

Photo: Rattlesnake Solutions

Can you spot the rattlesnake ‘on patrol’ in unlikely spot?

A rattlesnake expert in Arizona on Sunday shared an image showing a large western diamondback rattlesnake stretched out in a tree. Can you spot the reptile?

A rattlesnake expert in Arizona on Sunday shared an image showing a large western diamondback rattlesnake stretched out in a tree.

It might require some adjustment, but viewers should be able to easily spot the reptile among the branches.

Perhaps a better question, which Rattlesnake Solutions owner Bryan D. Hughes addressed in his tweet, is what inspired the rattlesnake to climb a tree?

Hughes explained: “In this area, multiple males come in to challenge for the prime location at the den. This big one is on patrol, searching for these rivals and making sure everyone is where they should be.”

To be sure, the vast majority of rattlesnake sightings occur on the ground, where the reptiles blend into their surroundings while resting or waiting to ambush prey.

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But rattlesnakes occasionally climb trees.

Last year, a hunter in Georgia was horrified to discover a timber rattlesnake tucked into the seat of his deer stand, 20 feet up a tree.

Jason Clark, of Southeastern Reptile Rescue told Georgia Outdoor News that the snake was likely on the scent of a squirrel or other prey.

In 2020, a New Mexico resident shared video showing a nearly 6-foot rattlesnake near the top of a mesquite tree. (Watch video below.)

“The snake was up high, soaking up the early morning sun, but his rattler was going at high speed,” Jerome Perez told McClatchy News. A small sparrow was flapping frantically in front of the snake, trying to keep it from a nest likely hidden in the tree.”

In August 2020, the Bureau of Land Management – Arizona shared an image of a diamondback rattlesnake “basking” on a branch in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

The agency wrote: “Did you know? Rattlesnakes are rarely observed in trees, except when basking, hunting prey such as birds and rodents, or to escape from extreme heat or a high water level.”

The image shared Sunday by Hughes was captured last year in Yavapai County, Arizona.

Rattlesnake eats too much, can’t squeeze back into its den

An Arizona rattlesnake wrangler was called to a horse ranch to relocate a gluttonous rattlesnake. It was suspected of being in a food coma.

An Arizona rattlesnake wrangler was called to a horse ranch to relocate a gluttonous rattlesnake that ate so much it couldn’t squeeze back into its den.

“I was laughing,” Marissa Maki of Rattlesnake Solutions told McClatchy News, describing the moment she saw the overstuffed rattler. “It was too full to do anything. It barely moved. The snake didn’t even know what was going on. I think it was in a food coma.”

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The rattlesnake, a western diamondback, was suspected of eating a chubby kangaroo rat or ground squirrel on the Scottsdale ranch.

It was discovered when riders from the ranch took a break in the shade and, as McClatchy News put it, “saw the snake’s butt hanging out, so to speak.”

“Look at how fat he is,” Maki said when picking up the venomous snake with tongs.

Commenters took a mostly mocking tone on the Rattlesnake Solutions Facebook page. A sampling of comments:

“I can’t tell if he ate a kangaroo rat, or a kangaroo!”

“I know how the rattlesnake felt. For me, it is no longer fitting into my jeans! Sigh!”

“What a fatty.”

“Looks like that one was temporarily rendered safe by its gluttony.”

“What a piggy!”

“I feel her pain!”

“Was definitely eating well by the looks of her.”

“Fatso!!”

So, what happened to the overindulging rattlesnake?

“It was relocated safely, without losing its meal,” Rattlesnake Solutions wrote.

Photos courtesy of Rattlesnake Solutions.

Can you spot the rattlesnake in this photo?

A company that captures and relocates rattlesnakes has quizzed its followers, asking if they can spot a snake hidden in an Arizona yard.

Another rattlesnake season is upon us and below is a repost from last fall to test your sighting skills and show how well the venomous replies blend into the environment:

A company that captures and relocates rattlesnakes discovered on public and private property recently quizzed its Facebook followers by posting the accompanying image and asking:

“Western Diamondback Rattlesnake spotted in a backyard by Dave recently. See it?”

While many might spot the rattlesnake after a brief inspection, the image reveals how adept rattlesnakes are at blending into their surroundings.

The image was posted to Facebook by Rattlesnake Solutions, which operates in Phoenix and Tucson. The company is licensed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and claims that snakes are not harmed during capture or relocation.

Many in the comments section correctly described the location of the venomous reptile in the image.

For those wondering if their guesses are correct, the snake is circled in the image posted below.

–Images courtesy of Rattlesnake Solutions