Rattlesnakes and other venomous species (Phoenix, Scottsdale: neighborhood, living in, vs) - Arizona (AZ) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

Steve-o · 01-24-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFrango

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

First off, copperheads are not in the NE USA.

The only venomous snake in the NE is the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Secondly, of all venomous snakes in the USA, the copperhead (Agkistrodon piscivorus) is the LEAST venomous. The snakes that kill the most people in the USA are the Crotalus atrox (western diamondback) and the Crotalus scutulatus (mojave rattler), which are found in the SW USA. Not only that but rattlesnakes in the SW are very abundant, unlike the midwest, SE, plains, etc.

Just thought Id throw that out there...

kdog · 01-24-2008, 06:07 PM

Arizona is a big state, and I think it depends greatly on where you live as to what critters you may see. On one hand we've seen reports in this forum of people that claim their house is full of scorpions. While others, like me, have yet to ever see one. I take long mountain bike rides into the desert every weekend in the warm weather. I even go through an area called Rattlesnake Wash, and yet still haven't seen any rattlers. And believe me, I'm looking for them. Ditto with scorpions. Haven't seen any of them in Kingman yet either, and I'm looking for them as well.

I would advise folks that are looking at a community to ask the locals that live there. The state is just way too big with all sorts of micro-climates, elevations, and varying degrees of urban development to make any sort of blanket statements about the existence of particular critters.

Steve-o · 01-24-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdog

I even go through an area called Rattlesnake Wash, and yet still haven't seen any rattlers. And believe me, I'm looking for them.

Are you looking, or really looking?

carriekn8274 · 01-24-2008, 06:57 PM

I want to thank everyone for all the information. Does anyone know anything about Magma Ranch in Florence? I have already decided we will most definitely spray around our home and windows to keep critters out. I also heard a cat is good to have as they are immune to scorpion bites and kill them and am wondering if this is fact or myth. As for the snakes, I am not one that wants to live in peaceful coexistance with them, I just never want to see one. I have always been scared of snakes as are a lot of people. I am looking forward to flying out in Febuary though. We are going to visit the a couple of different areas and decide where we want to live and talk to neighbors to see what type of dangerous species they have come across. I showed my son a picture of a rattler with his fangs today, and told him if he sees one not to touch it and to back away slowly. If a child gets bit, how long do they have to get medical attention from either a scorpion bite or rattler bite? I heard the mojave rattler is very aggressive and have heard of them actually chasing people. That has me a little freaked out. I have lived in the city for most of my life, where we see virtually no wildlife. Arizona will be a HUGE change for me and my family, but we hope it will be a good decision.

Steve-o · 01-25-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carriekn8274

I want to thank everyone for all the information. Does anyone know anything about Magma Ranch in Florence? I have already decided we will most definitely spray around our home and windows to keep critters out. I also heard a cat is good to have as they are immune to scorpion bites and kill them and am wondering if this is fact or myth. As for the snakes, I am not one that wants to live in peaceful coexistance with them, I just never want to see one. I have always been scared of snakes as are a lot of people. I am looking forward to flying out in Febuary though. We are going to visit the a couple of different areas and decide where we want to live and talk to neighbors to see what type of dangerous species they have come across. I showed my son a picture of a rattler with his fangs today, and told him if he sees one not to touch it and to back away slowly. If a child gets bit, how long do they have to get medical attention from either a scorpion bite or rattler bite? I heard the mojave rattler is very aggressive and have heard of them actually chasing people. That has me a little freaked out. I have lived in the city for most of my life, where we see virtually no wildlife. Arizona will be a HUGE change for me and my family, but we hope it will be a good decision.

Where to start, where to start? First off, snakes dont chase people.

Many people see a snake heading towards them and immediately think theyre "chasing" them.

Snakes are passive, and definitely defensive, but not aggressive (at least not in the states). Whats nice about snakes is that theyll let you know theyre there with a rattle or two. If you continue to pester them theyll assume their coiled strike pose. That is your last warning that they dont want to be messed with. If people continue to fuss with the snake and get bit, thats when I laugh.

Seriously, if people cant get the hint that the snake is upset then theyre beyond stupid. Not many animals on earth give you a warning that theyre about to attack, which is what makes snakes rather forgiving if you ask me.

As for a snake bite to a child, make sure they get to the hospital IMMEDIATELY, neurotoxins act faster on those with weaker immune systems and low body weight. As for a scorpion sting (not bite), ID the scorpion and call the AZ poison control immediately or get to the hospital. In this case I recommend killing the scorpion or putting it in a glass jar and taking it to the hospital with you, making it easy for the doctors to ID and administer anti-venin if necessary. The only scorpion that is considered medically significant in the USA is the bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda), which are very abundant in Arizona. A sting by one of those can be life-threatening and needs to be treated promptly. Signs of a serious envenomation would be roving eye movements, sweating, pallor, tachycardia, uncontrolled tongue movements, etc. If those signs are noticeable in your child after a suspected sting, its imperative you get to the ER as fast as you can.

As for cats, yes, they kill scorpions, but are not immune to their stings as some would believe. Its unlikely that theyll die from a sting, but they definitely wont be comfortable.

kdog · 01-25-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Are you looking, or really looking?

Thanks for proving my point. All of these reports are from southern or southeastern AZ. Let's see you find reports of those critters from northern, AZ. Like I said, it's a big state.

Steve-o · 01-25-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdog

Thanks for proving my point. All of these reports are from southern or southeastern AZ. Let's see you find reports of those critters from northern, AZ. Like I said, it's a big state.

Would you like a list of rattlesnake species found in northern Arizona and be humbled, or would you like to bow out peacefully?

And youre correct, its a big state, but every inch of the state has rattlesnakes (even the desolate Four Corners area).

kdog · 01-25-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Would you like a list of rattlesnake species found in northern Arizona and be humbled, or would you like to bow out peacefully?

And youre correct, its a big state, but every inch of the state has rattlesnakes (even the desolate Four Corners area).

No thanks. The question at hand is whether in real life one is likely to encounter these animals in their locales. Actual experience from locals carries much more weight than silly little color charts in reptile books. As a resident, and somebody who spends a lot of time outdoors in the Kingman area, I can state with authority that sightings of rattlers and scorpions are not at all common out here. Whether or not books claim these creatures can be found isn't really helpful information to people who want critter information as criteria on whether to move to an area. Is there a chance of seeing a rattler here? Of course. In real life are you likely to encounter one in a residential area? Absolutely not. I don't know anybody who's seen one here, at least on my side of town. Now heading away from the city into the deserts of Mohave County is a different story, and that exactly proves my point. Your books are not going to have such fine-granularity that takes into account populations centers, and so that isn't necessarily helpful information to people who actually want to live in those places.

In summary, venomous creatures are more prevalent in certain place in AZ than in others, and text books are no substitute for actual up-to-date empirical data from residents of these areas.

Steve-o · 01-25-2008, 11:18 AM

Whatever, Im done arguing. If you want to think that Kingman is almost devoid of rattlesnakes, feel free. Im coming to AZ in April and will be sure to herp the Kingman area, youll probably be quite shocked at what we're likely to find.

Greatday · 01-25-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdog

. The question at hand is whether in real life one is likely to encounter these animals in their locales. Actual experience from locals carries much more weight than silly little color charts in reptile books. .

OK - as a resident of Pinal County, at the base of the Superstition Mountain, I can assure you I see these "critters" fairly regularly. Although we do have good pest control, there is rarely a month that goes by that we do not see scorpions in, or near our home.

And, during the summer, seeing a rattlesnake is not that uncommon either. Same with the mountain lions, javelina and coyotes.

How's that?

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