Boondocking in S Arizona desert and Rattlesnakes

Where exactly? That will determine which species are there.

Some corrections to misinformation in this thread so far:

- Mojave rattlesnakes don't chase people.
- Gila monsters are nothing at all to worry about. If you're bitten by one, you deserve it because you're holding it.

The best advice is to just leave them alone if you see one. That's it. Depending on where you are, you can get people to come catch and relocate the snakes for a small fee. Keep your area clean and rodent free and you shouldn't have any issues at all.

Calisdad wrote:
Good advice from mockturtle. There is no antivenin for the green Mojave.

Not at all true. CroFab includes mojave toxin. http://www.rxlist.com/crofab-drug.htm

rocmoc wrote:
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

The mojave is quick to become defensive, but is not aggressive. Anyone that says they have been chased by one is simply lying.

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

They are very slow, shy, non-aggressive creatures. There has never been a gila monster bite that wasn't to someone intentionally going after it or picking it up. They're not an issue whatsoever.

Camped in AZ and CA for years, and never seen a snake. Saw maybe one scorpion. I've seen several tarantulas however, but they're no problem.

When we were down there last spring my friend's dachshund was bitten on the nose by a buzzworm while it was in camp with lots of people sitting around. The snake was under the trailer in the shade. Vet bills were $1700.00. Be very careful when the weather is warm.

Hmmmm ... luckily the Mojave Rattlesnake (or "Green Mojave") isn't mentioned here (However, I'd still like to RV in Australia sometime.):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dangerous_snakes

Other research on the Mojave Rattelsnake indicates that around 2000 or 2001 the anti-venom for it started to be included in some/all rattlesnake anti-venom formulas. Do you own research to make sure that the anti-venom commonly available in Southwest U.S. area contains this mixture.

So far we have encountered zero rattlesnakes in our California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas rockhounding. However, we try to generally tread very carefully and always beat the bushes ahead with a walking stick before coming close.

I have lived in the desert SW most of my life and only had one encounter with a rattlesnake and he went one way and I went the other. Lucky I heard him rattle and was alerted. Now in Washington I've had a couple encounters with black bears and they went one way and I went the other.
Now if you want to worry about something, spiders are more likely to come visit. And they go where ever they want. Scorpions are another SW treat, they like boots.

Always watch where you are about to step and carry a hiking stick to poke ahead of you if the brush is thick. I've never seen a Mohave but my wife shot one last year here on our property. Diamondbacks are very polite and will warn you if given a chance, so walk slowly and enjoy the desert.

One note, though, if you have to kill one (or find a dead one) chop it's head off and bury it fangs down under a tree so they will not be stepped on accidentally. They are just as deadly dead as alive.

LS

LenSatic wrote:


One note, though, if you have to kill one (or find a dead one) chop it's head off and bury it fangs down under a tree so they will not be stepped on accidentally. They are just as deadly dead as alive.

LS

Don't do that. There are a good number of bites that happen when people go to mess with a dead snake. If you do end up with a dead snake, leave it where it is.