Boondocking in S Arizona desert and Rattlesnakes

Watch where you walk. Be aware that they will seek cool and damp places so check under your rig (we had a nest of baby rattlesnakes under our MH once). If you are bitten, get emergency help right away. Some species of AZ rattlers are highly venomous. Chances are good that you won't see one at all, however.

Good advice from mockturtle. Keep Sam on a short leash too. There is no antivenin for the green Mojave. Avoid rocky areas as well. They want to avoid you and will if given the chance. Just be very careful and you should be ok.

We get our dog rattlesnake shot. If you spend any amount of time in snake country it is a good idea. You still have to get them medical aid but it could save their life. Dogs get one shot, about 5 or 6 weeks later another shot. Then booster once a year.

Snakes like to hang out in rocks, in brush, under RVs etc. Probably won't see one unless you are off hiking. Dogs root them out so that is the problem.

The Green Mojave is the nasty one. They are in the general area and are known for chasing critters including people. Just beware. Look them up on the net and learn what you can. Best info is from the locals.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

They KILL. Been going to Az for 10 years and have not seen the first one.

Be wary of Gila Monsters their bite can be very nasty.

darsben wrote:
Be wary of Gila Monsters their bite can be very nasty.

That's because they belong to the only family of VENOMOUS lizards in the world.

Chances are that you won't even see a snake...really. Just be aware of your surroundings and where you walk; keep your dog on leash and don't let him sniff under bushes; don't put your hands around boulders. At this time of year they won't be roaming during the day - it's too hot, but always take a flashlight at night.

It's not like there are hundreds out there ready to chase you. :)

Have fun and don't be too obsessed with it. Just use common sense. We've been tromping around the AZ desert for 18 years and haven't seen any while hiking...just dead on the roads.

If it’s hot they stay in the shade of brush and rocks. When it cools off at night they come out on the blacktop and pavement and open ground to absorb the heat. So pay attention where you’re walking and don’t put your hands or feet anywhere that you can’t see. If you have a dog, keep it on a short leash and don’t let it stick its nose in the brush or rocks. It’s nothing to worry about, just be aware of your surroundings and and odds are you’ll never even see one.

We have camped all over the West, Southwest and South for 40 years and have seen 1 rattlesnake in all those years and that was in Everglades National Park. But, like a friend says about Grizzles, it only takes once. Seriously, you aren't likely to encounter one but just be aware of where you put feet and hands.