As we have covered in previous articles about just how and why rattlesnakes choose garages as prime den real estate , rattlesnakes in the warmer parts of Arizona tend to have quite a few options for a survivable winter refuge.
These cold-weather sleepy rattlesnakes are often discoveries by people using the holiday downtime to get to long-neglected projects, like cleaning out the garage or tearing down the old shed in the yard. Another common one throughout December are rattlesnakes found under boxes of Christmas trees and other holiday decorations that have remained untouched in the deepest corner of the garage for 11 months.
These discoveries are small rattlesnake dens, of only one or a handful of individuals,. Here is a trio of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes that I captured in a storage closet at an apartment complex in Cave Creek:. I touched the surface of the rock where it had been coiled and found that the surface was very warm. The snake never rattled upon seeing us even though we partially surrounded it. A few rapid tongue flicks was the only response our presence seemed to generate until the rattler returned to the crevice.
The second winter encounter happened on a trail a few hundred feet above Palm Desert. It was a cloudy day in early February. My thermometer read 43 degrees with the wind blowing snow flurries around me. To my surprise, I nearly walked into a two-foot-long speckled rattlesnake that was crawling across the trail. The snakes bask on rocks and roads and they are sometimes found near trails where there aggressive nature can put humans and animals at risk. Rattlesnake winter dens are often located on exposed south-facing slopes with rocks that form natural dens beneath the ground.
The rocks absorb heat and the slopes are the warmest zones available in cold regions. This increases the comfort and survivability odds for the snakes. The areas also attract rodents that provide an immediate food supply after hibernation. Snakes are also known to den under residential houses. Zach Lazzari is a Montana based freelance outdoor writer and photographer. Food Sources: Snakes are known to feed on rodents, lizards, and frogs. Eliminate these pests and you will help eliminate snakes.
Get rid of any areas of standing water on your property. Keep landscaping well maintained to deter rodents. Inside your home, make sure to keep areas clean especially kitchens and pantries where spilled food and crumbs are readily available for rodents to feed on.
Professional Service: Depending on the species, snake removal can be dangerous to undertake on your own. It is usually in your best interest to contact a professional wildlife control company when dealing with a snake issue. Establishing a regularly scheduled service plan can help identify pest risks before they become an issue.
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