Rattlesnakes and other venomous species (Peach Springs, Seligman: how much, vacation home, living)

[LBear]

Most insurance companies supposedly DO NOT cover snake bites. It requires a "special" policy.

Anti-venom is NOT cheap, nor is the treatment. Coming from a para-military background, I ALWAYS wear proper attire when hiking. I see people hiking in shorts and flip-flops Your in a desert area with jagged rocks, cactus', dozens of things that bite and poke, poisonous rattlers, yet they go out hiking in shorts and flip-flops.

You can always tells a professional hiker vs. an amateur. The professional has long pants, boots, hat, two or more layers of upper clothing, so they can regulate their clothing in regards to outside temperature. The other looks like they are on a beach wearing a tank top with shorts and sandals/flip-flops.

In the military you are taught to protect your feet. Without them, you ain't going anywhere....

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Pettrix

Most insurance companies supposedly DO NOT cover snake bites. It requires a "special" policy.

Anti-venom is NOT cheap, nor is the treatment. Coming from a para-military background, I ALWAYS wear proper attire when hiking. I see people hiking in shorts and flip-flops Your in a desert area with jagged rocks, cactus', dozens of things that bite and poke, poisonous rattlers, yet they go out hiking in shorts and flip-flops.

You can always tells a professional hiker vs. an amateur. The professional has long pants, boots, hat, two or more layers of upper clothing, so they can regulate their clothing in regards to outside temperature. The other looks like they are on a beach wearing a tank top with shorts and sandals/flip-flops.

In the military you are taught to protect your feet. Without them, you ain't going anywhere....

Ya got that right! But with some snakes in the world, it wouldnt matter if you got bit on the foot or arm or butt, you aint goin nowhere regardless.

[Sarah1063]

I have lived in Arizona for 13 years now. Honestly I have only seen about 5 snakes and only 2 of them have been rattlesnakes. We ride ATV's so in the snakes defense i was in their territory when i saw them. I have seen alot of scorpions and they still scare me if i see them. The key is to get a cat becasue they like to est them and the poison doesn't affect them. Arizona is beautiful and you should give it a chance. We moved here from New York without even visiting first.

[mattyk]

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.

lived here for 4 and a half years and i've only seen a scorpion and it was outside when our house was brand new.. we didnt know about these pests until we moved out here and for the first 6 months (neibors scared me lol) i checked my bed before sleeping and watched the carpet when i walked barefoot in the rental house

[Greatday]

A Carefree woman should be OK after a rattlesnake bit her Sunday morning outside her home.

Rural/Metro Fire Department responded to the 911 call and found the woman alert and clear-headed, Assistant Fire Chief Kore Redden said.

azcentral.com | Phoenix Arizona News - Arizona Local News

[Steve-o]

Nows the time of year when bite reports skyrocket....

[Savetuba]

6th generation Arizonian here, born in Flagstaff and have lived in the Cottonwood area since. Most critters are disturbed by new construction, in fact the first snake I ever saw was a bull snake shortly after our new house was built, and my mother killed it thinking it was a rattler. Silly mother. :P In the past 18 years of my outdoor adventures in Az I have seen LOTS of these critters.

Snakes like to either sun them selves on warm rocks in the winter of hide under rocks during the day. Avoid rocky places to avoid rattlers. Most rattlers will start shaking their tails when you get within 5-6 feet. When you here such sounds FREEZE and look around. Find the source and move AWAY. If you are too close move slowly as quick motions will cause them to strike, but don't take your time about it or they will pre-empt you. And please don't think you can play with them. I have seen to many idiots try to grab one and get bitten for it. (many a story I have for those who want to hear) and please don't try to suck the poison out. that is a myth. I have kicked 2 idiots in the ass for trying such and I'm sure I'll be doing the same for years to come.

Scorpions like BLACK places. Under tarps, trash bags, shoes, sleeping bags (that is a fun story), ECT... They will also infest your house if you live on a hill/mountain. Scorpions can live for up to 3 days(or longer) in toxins meant to kill them. I've tried it and the dam thing live till day 5. However, Scorpions normally follow their food. Spray for insects and Scorpions won't bother you much. Also an old mexican trip is to place a 1 inch thick rope around your house. If bitten apply ICE and call your doctor/hospital. you know you will be bitten when it stings like a (jelly fish...bee sting on steroids...multiple cactus spines in one spot)

Black widows also like dark places. You will find them in people's garages in that corner where no one goes. Keep some insect spray on hand and if you find one give it a shot. I've never really seen a black widow web in the wild, just in suburban homes where the garage is the junk storage unit.

Your average back yard is usually dangerous for the cacti, not the critters. and here in AZ Pools are more dangerous than a Scorpion.

If you are going hiking remember boots, pants (even if it is 120 out), HAT (I've been burned on that one a few times), WATER, Knife (It is like a mirror but easier to carry and more useful). In the desert the sun is your worst enemy. Cacti your second. Idiots from Chi Town your third.(No disrespect meant here, just speaking from personal Exp)

[123rjr]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

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...

Finally somebody who knows about snakes...But may I add that the most dangerous snakes in Az as well as all the world are of the human variety ..Alas there are laws to protect those dangerous critters..

[Sockeye]

Originally Posted by 123rjr

Finally somebody who knows about snakes...But may I add that the most dangerous snakes in Az as well as all the world are of the human variety ..Alas there are laws to protect those dangerous critters..

You're absolutely right! I would also add that when in shakeytail country, be sure to move more slowly and make sounds. I use my rod case as a walking stick and noise maker. Better a strike on that than my calve. Folks moving too quickly and quietly are more prone to bites.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Sockeye

You're absolutely right! I would also add that when in shakeytail country, be sure to move more slowly and make sounds. I use my rod case as a walking stick and noise maker. Better a strike on that than my calve. Folks moving too quickly and quietly are more prone to bites.

Well, snakes dont have ears, so making noise wont do a dang thing. They can pick up vibrations in the ground through their jaws, so striking the ground will alert them to your presence. However, the snakes see you anyways, looooong before you see them. Your best bet when trudging around through the heavy desert brush is to buy some snake boots and snake chaps/gaitors. Dont step over fallen flora (ie logs, cacti, etc) w/o looking first, and never put your hands or feet where you cant see them.