With the arrival of monsoon, many people will start to notice a significant increase in snake activity throughout the state of Arizona. As a matter of fact, I ran a snake relocation call this morning up here in Prescott, Arizona, which turned out to be a Sonoran Gophersnake.
You are probably asking yourself, why does the rain cause the snakes to become more active? Well, that is mostly because after spending months underground or in deep cover, they have gone a long time without a sip of water. When those first heavy rains hit our state, the snakes will emerge from their underground lair for that first sip of water and a meal. Often times, Rattlesnakes will be seen coiled up in the rain, drinking water off of their scales during these first few heavy storms. For us reptile enthusiasts, it is a fascinating behavior to see in the wild. Dr. Brendan O’Connor has taken some amazing photos of this behavior as seen at the bottom of this article.
Another reason why snakes become more active during this time of year is that their food source also becomes more active. This makes it much easier for them to get that first meal that they desperately need after emerging. Once they get that first much-needed drink of water and meal, they are ready to rock and roll!
This time of year, we will start to see a significant increase in the number of rattlesnake bites here in Arizona. Below are some things to know that may help you avoid a rattlesnake bite.
If you are out hiking, stay on the trail. A lot of rattlesnake bites happen when people wander off-trail and into the bushes or rock piles. Don't put your feet or hands in places you are not able to check for rattlesnakes first. One thing I always like to discuss is night time activity with rattlesnakes. Most people do not realize that rattlesnakes become incredibly active at night this time of year. So don't think that you can let your guard down when that sun goes down. Always use a flashlight when outdoors at night and watch where you are stepping and/or putting your hands.
You might be wondering, what do I do if I encounter a rattlesnake?
I always tell people that remaining calm is probably one of the most important things you can do in these situations. When you stay calm, you can make more rational decisions. Unless cornered with nowhere to go, most rattlesnakes are going to flee when a human encounters them. We are big and scary and are not looked at as a food source. Therefore, they want nothing to do with us. But, they will defend themselves when necessary. That being said, throwing rocks, sticks, or anything else at a rattlesnake is never a good idea. That gives them a reason to defend themselves.
The best thing you can do is walk away. No, the rattlesnake's will not chase you, but it is an excellent idea to keep an eye on the snake as you are walking away. Here is a video made by Bryan at Rattlesnake Solutions proving that rattlesnakes do not chase people.
If you have a rattlesnake encounter that calls for relocation, call your local rattlesnake relocation service immediately such as Rattlesnake Solutions.
If you have any questions regarding snakes, you can email me directly at zeldinadventures@gmail.com. Feel free to follow me on Instagram or Facebook to learn more about our wildlife through my photography.
Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus pyrrhus) drinking water from its scales.
Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus pyrrhus) drinking water from its scales.