Rattlesnakes and other venomous species (Scottsdale, Kingman: to live in, dangerous, centers)

[nitram]

Well, here we go again blowing the scorpion, black widows, roaches, snakes, etal outta proportion scare-in the devil out of prospective newcommers. I bet 99.5% of the population here has never encountered anyone of these critters.
As soon as an area is developed the snakes move out. They don't like people anymore than people like them. On a rare you'll see a garden snake.
In 40+ years I've only come across 4or five ratlesnakes way out in undeveloped territory miles from human activity and when i saw them I stopped, stood still and then backed up as they were backing away.
Rattlesnakes usually come out in the early AM or late afternoon at this time of the year to warm up by sunbathing on the warm rocks. During the heat of summer they hide under cool brush or fallen trees and such outta sight.
We don't need people, espaecially those that don't live here telling us scary stories.
I'd be more worried and concerned about the traffic and the nutso drivers we have here that located from out of state with their bad habits.
And if you're into scary stories then 'google' "Jack-a-Lopes. Enjoy...

[Steve-o]

Had you READ any of the posts, youd be able to conclude that we're just trying to help people UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT these critters. If there is anyone on earth who doesnt want to scare people about such things, its me! I have a profound love for them and am the first to tell people to NOT BE SCARED of them.

And your silly "99.5%" comment is hilarious just considering that the Tucson FD rcvs several THOUSAND calls annually just to remove rattlesnakes from peoples' yards.

The only part of your post that is accurate is the fact that snakes sun themselves on warm rocks, but then again anyone who knows anything about ectothermic creatures automatically knows that. Please, dont debate the subject with me, Im well versed and will go toe-to-toe with you on this till the day I die. Im not here to scare anyone, just to give facts and help people understand these incredible creatures that we share our earth with.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by nitram

Well, here we go again blowing the scorpion, black widows, roaches, snakes, etal outta proportion scare-in the devil out of prospective newcommers. I bet 99.5% of the population here has never encountered anyone of these critters.
As soon as an area is developed the snakes move out. They don't like people anymore than people like them. On a rare you'll see a garden snake.
In 40+ years I've only come across 4or five ratlesnakes way out in undeveloped territory miles from human activity and when i saw them I stopped, stood still and then backed up as they were backing away.
Rattlesnakes usually come out in the early AM or late afternoon at this time of the year to warm up by sunbathing on the warm rocks. During the heat of summer they hide under cool brush or fallen trees and such outta sight.
We don't need people, espaecially those that don't live here telling us scary stories.
...

Well - I live here. Born. Raised. Some 60 years. And, these are not "scary" stories - not at all. We are talking about real life.

I have, and do, encounter what I describe, all the time. Admittedly, it may be because I live where "they" do but, encounter nonetheless.

Just part of the wonder of Arizona

[nitram]

Mr Steve-o in Chicago, you're the one that's been rattling on all the time for the past year with your scare stories. And there have been many people saying the same thing I mentioned, you're stories are scare stories.
You've got people frightened by checking their shoes in their bedroom, getting a uv light and checking their walls etc etc. Granted in some new areas you may want to check for those things, but man that's far a few between for any of those experiences. And once an area is completely developed these problems disappear quickly.
Tucson is just one little tiny portion of AZ and they don't have a big problem with the bugs snakes in the populated areas.
I stand by my figures, information received from the local fire depts and dept of Agriculture.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Just part of the wonder of Arizona

Amen! Besides family, thats the biggest draw for me when going to AZ. After the family BS is outta the way, Im out in the desert looking for such critters. We dont have 1/4 of the stuff you guys do, so its endlessly fascinating being out in the desert and turning a rock and finding a coiled up mojave rattler or a tailless whipscorpion. While those critters might freak most people out, Im intrigued. Be thankful you have such wonderful critter, take the time to learn about them rather than shunning them or killing them out of pointless fear or ignorance.

[nitram]

Steve-o, here's a suggestion. Why don't you start a blog about bugs, animals etal, in the general forum, that you and any enthusiats are interested in learning about and enjoy.
It's admirable that you enjoy those critters, but let's not post posts that seem to be of a paranoid nature to the average person.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by nitram

It's admirable that you enjoy those critters, but let's not post posts that seem to be of a paranoid nature to the average person.

I honestly must disagree with you - talking about the real Arizona, rather than the percieved Arizona, is the right thing to do

No one is posting anything to make anyone paranoid - to the contrary. We are talking about the wonderous nature of this great State

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by nitram

Mr Steve-o in Chicago, you're the one that's been rattling on all the time for the past year with your scare stories. And there have been many people saying the same thing I mentioned, you're stories are scare stories.
You've got people frightened by checking their shoes in their bedroom, getting a uv light and checking their walls etc etc. Granted in some new areas you may want to check for those things, but man that's far a few between for any of those experiences. And once an area is completely developed these problems disappear quickly.
Tucson is just one little tiny portion of AZ and they don't have a big problem with the bugs snakes in the populated areas.
I stand by my figures, information received from the local fire depts and dept of Agriculture.

Well, you just keep believing what you want, Ill keep telling the facts. Shoes are a prime hiding spot for scorpions, MANY a folk have slipped on their shoes and gotten stung. And the blacklighting deal? Its a good measure for finding scorpions, w/o a doubt the most effective. The reason I state that you should check walls, etc, is because the most dangerous scorpion in AZ is arboreal, meaning they can climb virtually any surface their little ungues can get a hold of. Many people have found them on ceilings, under chairs, etc. Dont think scorpions are just relegated to ground surfaces, because the bark scorpion can and will climb anywhere it pleases. If you think Im trying to scare people, Id say youre silly. Im trying to help and offer as much info as I can because its, well, kinda my thing and all.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by nitram

Steve-o, here's a suggestion. Why don't you start a blog about bugs, animals etal, in the general forum, that you and any enthusiats are interested in learning about and enjoy.
It's admirable that you enjoy those critters, but let's not post posts that seem to be of a paranoid nature to the average person.

I have.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/pets/...scorpions.html

If people have questions (as the OP did), I answer them, simple as that.

[MFrango]

Originally Posted by carriekn8274

Hi, I am from michigan and my husband and family are thinking about moving to Arizona. I have been reading about all of the venomous creatures there and am deadly afraid to move there now. I have a almost 4 year old boy, who I am scared will get bitten by a snake or some other venomous creature. I know that over half of the snake bites are to smaller children and he is very curious and know that a rattlesnake bite or bark scorpion bite can be deadly to him. I am looking for some peace of mind. We are going to be working at the florence prison and are thinking about moving into magma ranch. Any insight will be helpful and how to keep theses things out of our yard and home. My husband thinks I am crazy, but I told him I dont want to buy a house with any shrubs in it or grass, because I know these can be hiding places for snakes.

Dear Michigan: I lived in the Sonroran desert for ten years and have never had trouble with rattlesnakes. Yes, the desert is their home, but I took it upon myself to respect their space and they likewise left me alone. In fact, there are virtually no deaths per year due to rattlesnake bites in the state of Arizona. In the particular area I lived in there were the variety known as Green Mohaves and they have a passive nature. When my footfall fell near one one time he did not strike, but just slivered off.
I do understand your fear of snakes, but realize that most poisonous snake bites are from a northeastern USA variety of venomous snake known as the copperhead. Hunters are bit by them alot when they are out in the woods hunting.
As for tarantulas, they are big and ugly, but totally harmless. Scorpions do pose a minor problem and you should make sure that your home is sprayed with insesticide and that is a very effective preventitive. The biggest nuisance I had living in the desert, though, was from a bug known as the "Kissing bug"--its gives you a painless bite, but when you wake up in the morning, you'll probably start to swell and itch on the point of contact. The infection is just local. Again, with these bugs, if you spray your house with insecticide, that will solve the problem. There are black widows, but you don't have to worry about them since they rarely leave their webs and will not therefore enter your living space. But I would worry a little about the Brown Recluse. This is a nocturnal spider with a beautiful marking on his back that looks like a violin. You do not want to get bit, even though bites from them are rare, so make sure that you spray your house with good insecticide and that will get rid of them.
If you live in the city, like tucson, you wil probably never encounter rattlesnakes. But they will be seen on the outskirts.
Arizona is a beautiful state (though I live in NY now) and do not be overwhelmed with snake phobia. The best thing to do is be aware of when it is unsafe for your kids to play out side: they hibernate in the winter, but come out in March. They like an optimum ambeint air temp of about 86 degrees (remember they are cold blooded and so their body temperatures equilibriate with ambient air temp) and so the extreme heat of the summer is too hot for them and they burrow into the cool soil to excape it. In the summer they are seen mostly at night after the desert heat subsides and in the early morning hours. And especially they are active during the monsoon season in the summer after a rainfall that cools the desert to a comfortable temperature for their metabolisms. So when gardening in spring and summer make sure to poke around with a rake to make sure they are not any in your garden. They will hibernate in winter since winters in the Arizona desert can get quite cold, especially at night as it drops to sometimes in the 30's and even 20's. But if it warms up to the mid eighties in the Winter, as it sometimes does, they will come out of hibernation, but retreat when the next cold spell comes along.

Keep your backyard clean and free of debris.

Many people have moved to Arizona and the desert is a place of great beauty and wonderful open space. And just realize your chances of getting bit by a rattlesnake are very, very, slim. In the ten years that I lived in the desert not one ever came into my house and though, yes, I did encounter them on my property from time to time, I developend a stoicism and calm acceptance of them and therefore a peaceful coexistence developed between me and the few of them that I did see on my property.

Enjoy Arizona! don't worry!