A Phoenix-based company that relocates rattlesnakes encountered near homes responded to a call recently from a Mesa homeowner whose dog had found a snake on the property.
“The homeowner noticed the dog staring at something and backing up (good dog!) and went to check it out,” Rattlesnake Solutions explained Saturday via social media. “And it was this well-hidden Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.”
Can you spot the snake in the accompanying image? (Answer at bottom.)
Western diamondback rattlesnakes are commonly encountered in Arizona and often mistaken for mohave rattlesnakes. They typically feature dark, diamond-shaped markings on their backs and prominent black-and-white tail bands.
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According to Rattlesnake Solutions, western diamondback rattlesnakes can measure to about 4 feet and “can be found anywhere where neighborhoods get close to native desert habitat.”
The company added: “They are generally quick to be defensive, and quite venomous, so keep your distance and leave it alone if encountered.”
The Arizona-Sedona Desert Museum states on its website: “This snake is active at night during the warm months and during the day in spring and fall; it returns to rocky cliffs for a winter hibernation period, but may exit to bask in the sun on warm days.”
The rattlesnake found by the dog was in a weedy area near a shed, which provided “plenty of cover and easy access,” Rattlesnake Solutions continued. “Ultimately, this is what must be addressed to prevent future encounters.”
If you haven’t already spotted the snake, either click here or see the photo below, which reveals the reptile’s location. (The snake is much easier to see if the image is enlarged.)
