Calling all Zonies with snake "problems". (Phoenix, Tucson: home, safe neighborhoods)
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This thread is reserved for those who have seen snakes in their immediate surroundings. Please, no "Ive lived in AZ for 25 years and have never seen a rattler" responses...
Im gonna be in the area again in mid-June with the American Tarantula Society (www.atshq.org) herping up in the Superstitions. After our outing there, Im spending another week there herping various spots in and around the valley, with some jaunts into Prescott and Sedona, maybe even the 4 corners region. What Im looking to gather is some info on particular areas/towns/neighborhoods with sightings of western diamondbacks/sidewinders/mojave rattlesnakes. Last year I ended up in some not-so-safe neighborhoods in PHX and Mesa, and Im trying to avoid that this year since Ill have people with me at least one of those days. Anyways, are there any particular neighborhoods around Scottsdale/Carefree/Sedona/Prescott/Fountain Hills/PV/Cave Creek/etc that are having a decent problem with rattlers? What about those in Ahwatukee that back up to South Mountain Park? Any problems in those areas? Anyone near the PHX Mountain Preserve thats had rattlers in their neighborhoods? Anyone have a home that backs up to a wash thats had problems? The Tucson FD receives over 8K calls a year to have rattlers removed from peoples' yards, so I KNOW some of you have had an issue before. LOL Im looking to hit up some hot spots and need some help pinpointing them. Thank you all for your time.
This might sound like a strange request, but Im hoping some of you can respond with some information that might be useful.
Oh, and whats the best way to get to South Mountain from N. Scottsdale (say, Scottsdale Rd)? And how is the area around South Mountain, any specific streets/neighborhoods we should be wary of? I dont want to get lost in the 'hood, thats never fun.
Steve-o, I don't think you'll find too many rattlers up around Prescott. However, a lady got bitten by one a couple of years ago on a ranch over in the Humboldt area. Sounded like this was the 2nd time. Although I've never heard anyone complain about rattlers up here, there may be a nest of them in that area. I think this ranch is SE of Humboldt along the Agua Fria River.
The other area I know of with rattlers is Black Canyon City. Again, I think the lower lying areas that are fairly close to the Black River and Agua Fria, but then you'd be the expert that knows what habitat snakes thrive in. ;-) Check out the low-lying areas off of Maggie Mine Rd.
Thank you motormaker! Ive been on his site and I actually think he will be at the conference in PHX next month as well. Ive put some emails out to other herpers in AZ, but none have responded yet. Id love to hit South Mountain, from what Ive seen it looks like a prime spot. Same goes for the Superstitions... Thanks again!
Location: 5 miles from the center of the universe-The Superstition Mountains
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Steve, my step son has plenty in his neighborhood near your father in law- 114th just south of Dynamite/Rio Verde. I tossed a baby sidewinder out of his yard a couple months ago. Here's the pic of the s.o.b. that curled up between my boots on the highway by the Renaissance Festival in March, 2004.
Dang, I couldnt find ANY in that neighborhood on my last trip out. Er, I take that back, I almost stepped on a juvie WDB in his yard late at night, but thats all! The neighbors came out and asked what I was doing when they spotted me with a blacklight. I asked him about rattlers and they had 2 in their yard the year they moved in, but none since. I guess he said they came in under his swinging door because the rest of his yard has the adobe-style fence, no way a snake could get in that way. Thanks for help! What neighborhood is he in thats off of 114th?
And was that the same snake that was under your car?
Location: 5 miles from the center of the universe-The Superstition Mountains
1,084 posts, read 3,114,168 times
Reputation: 463
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve-o
Dang, I couldnt find ANY in that neighborhood on my last trip out. Er, I take that back, I almost stepped on a juvie WDB in his yard late at night, but thats all! The neighbors came out and asked what I was doing when they spotted me with a blacklight. I asked him about rattlers and they had 2 in their yard the year they moved in, but none since. I guess he said they came in under his swinging door because the rest of his yard has the adobe-style fence, no way a snake could get in that way. Thanks for help! What neighborhood is he in thats off of 114th?
And was that the same snake that was under your car?
My step son says he's had three or four this season. His property has some large boulders in the back and a wash to one side. No, the one in the picture came across the highway (US60 mp205) in front of the Renaissance Festival late in the afternoon. It had been a real long day and I was leaning against the side of my patrol car talking to the flagger, waiting for traffic to start exiting. He looked down by my feet and screamed, "SNAKE!". I'm not generally afraid of them, but he startled the hell out me when he yelled and then I look down and see this beauty curled up between my boots. It was comic. My initial reaction was to stomp on it and jump, which I did. Only problem was I had been leaning back against the car so I came straight down - straddling the snake again. Fortunately for me I was wearing 11" high boots and the snake didn't know what was happening. His head was going everywhere and his body was thrashing about but he didn't strike. I jumped again but this time pushed off the car. A couple weeks later I almost stepped on a baby coiled up in some high grass along the fence line about 1/4 mile away.
LOL Quite the story!!!! Admit it, you sprouted a few gray hairs and had to change your pants, didnt you?!?! LOLOLOLOLOL
Im gonna give that area another hard look, late at night, with a flashlight. Last time I was in that neighborhood, I must have flipped 2,000 rocks and only found scorpions and black widows. I did find a few snake sheds, but no snakes. Then again it was 95 degrees out and way too dang hot for any snake activity. I kept hopin to flip a rock and find a alterna-kingsnake or a nice little Mojave, but no luck.
Anyone know a good and safe route to South Mountain Park from N. Scottsdale? And how is the neighborhood its in? Decent?
Location: 5 miles from the center of the universe-The Superstition Mountains
1,084 posts, read 3,114,168 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve-o
LOL Quite the story!!!! Admit it, you sprouted a few gray hairs and had to change your pants, didnt you?!?! LOLOLOLOLOL
Im gonna give that area another hard look, late at night, with a flashlight. Last time I was in that neighborhood, I must have flipped 2,000 rocks and only found scorpions and black widows. I did find a few snake sheds, but no snakes. Then again it was 95 degrees out and way too dang hot for any snake activity. I kept hopin to flip a rock and find a alterna-kingsnake or a nice little Mojave, but no luck.
Anyone know a good and safe route to South Mountain Park from N. Scottsdale? And how is the neighborhood its in? Decent?
What few hairs I had left were already gray. As for the pants, no, but it was a helluva rush-being the adrenaline junkie that I am.
The only way I remember going into South Mountain Park was via south Central Avenue. I only drove there a few times many years ago. I ran into and through it many times from the Phoenix Police Academy though. (I don't recommend it) I'd say take the 101 to 60, then go west to I-10 and take the ramp towards Tucson. Move all the way to the right as you near the bottom of the ramp and you'll exit at Baseline Road. Drive west to Central and turn south.
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. My initial reaction was to stomp on it and jump, which I did. Only problem was I had been leaning back against the car so I came straight down - straddling the snake again. Fortunately for me I was wearing 11" high boots and the snake didn't know what was happening. His head was going everywhere and his body was thrashing about but he didn't strike. I jumped again but this time pushed off the car. A couple weeks later I almost stepped on a baby coiled up in some high grass along the fence line about 1/4 mile away.
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