Rattlesnakes and other venomous species

[savagehud]

We moved to the county area of Sierra Vista a year ago from San Diego. Since then we've had two Mojave's on our property. The first one my wife came around the side of our shed and with it against the shed rattling, stopping my wife in her tracks. She was about 4 feet from the snake. After my wife stopped it crawled away. I got my snake hook out, put it in a trash can and let it go at the far end of our 4 acres.

The second time I was out of town and the Mojave was in front of our house coiled up inside a Mesquite. My wife got her camera out, took a picture from about 2 feet away to show me when I got home.

Nothing aggressive, nothing scary just don't be stupid. Sure I could of gotten my shotgun out the first time but why? They are more scared of you, plus they eat rodents.

Originally Posted by j760

I've heard the same thing about that snake, that it's very aggressive and will not run away from danger. I also heard they won't go looking for trouble either, but since they have been known to chase people is that really true that they won't go looking for trouble?

I suppose a good majority of people they do chase brought it on themselves, but there are plenty of others such as the woman ess mentioned that perhaps were bit by accident.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by savagehud

My wife got her camera out, took a picture from about 2 feet away to show me when I got home.

Well, let's see the picture then.

[savagehud]

Originally Posted by savagehud

we moved to the county area of sierra vista a year ago from san diego. Since then we've had two mojave's on our property. The first one my wife came around the side of our shed and with it against the shed rattling, stopping my wife in her tracks. She was about 4 feet from the snake. After my wife stopped it crawled away. I got my snake hook out, put it in a trash can and let it go at the far end of our 4 acres.

The second time i was out of town and the mojave was in front of our house coiled up inside a mesquite. My wife got her camera out, took a picture from about 2 feet away to show me when i got home.

Nothing aggressive, nothing scary just don't be stupid. Sure i could of gotten my shotgun out the first time but why? They are more scared of you, plus they eat rodents.

[retiredcop2001]

Originally Posted by Peeperpuppy

Some snakes are just more temperamental. I know of two people in my home state of Missouri that were chased by a coach whip (non-venemous) snake. Both of these snakes were quite large. I don't know if someone else ticked the snake off prior to the chasing encounter... but it happened. I saw both incidents. I went stock still & the other person took off & guess who the snakes bothered. So it's not just the mojave that will give chase. The coachwhips had a longer endurance than what I'd imagine some of those big ol thick rattlers would have.

My biggest concern with the snakes & scorpions if we move to AZ is I have 3 pound dog who's scared of everything (so I'm hoping her sense of self preservation will mostly keep her safe) but a bite or sting from anything would probably be the end of her for certain. And then I have a belgian shepherd who is my ultimate protector & she's every bit as fast as a rattler strike. Teaching her not to go after them will be a challenge.

I have moved to AZ from Florida without a thought of dangerous critters here. I mean, after Florida, what could be worse?

I didn't give consideration to venom stinger things that could hurt my 5 little dogs. I mean, two of them are only 5 lbs. The others aren't much bigger.

Anyway, I am in Maricopa in a new housing development. I just had a pool put in and have only been here about 4 months.

At first, when I first arrived there were a lot of crickets in the garage, but soon disappeared.

As time has gone by, I have noticed some brown spiders. Now every day I see more and more spiders. It's like a horror movie. My dogs chase them across the patio. They are seen in my house more and more.

I wonder if it had anything to do with digging the pool. Are they dangerous to my little dogs?????? How would I know if one was bitten???
Should I race them to a vet????

I wonder if anyone knows of someone to exterminate outside my house in the Maricopa area. I'm really far from most businesses.

Oh yeah, they seem to be getting bigger. I saw two sunning themselves this morning on my patio around 6 am. I also saw one in my bedroom last night. I couldn't sleep after that. Geez, help!!!