Boondocking in S Arizona desert and Rattlesnakes

If I can stretch the topic to venomous snakes in general, and not just AZ snakes (which I've never seen), I would agree strongly with the assurance that any North American snake just wants to be left alone. What little energy and venom they have must be used to strike and retrieve prey. This is the whole point of a rattle and bright colorings on top--to warn anybody but a rodent that you're a poisonous snake, without having to actually use up all your venom.

When hiking and biking in the hills around LA I saw plenty of rattle snakes and they were all dozing lazily in the sun. In fact one day I was trail running (waddling) just past Malibu Creek park near the water works and came on a fat rattler stretched straight across the trail with no room to go around it.

Now I ask the group, is there somebody here who would step across a rattler, no matter how docile it looked? I wouldn't either, so I spent the next few minutes stomping my foot on the ground trying to get it to wake up and move. Eventually it did edge off of the trail, but sat there coiled, watching me walk past (within strike range).

I think this may be where the OP is going:

Oxbow BLM

OP: You do know it's going to be very hot there, don't you? :)

Again, all I can say is be aware of your surroundings and don't let the dog run off leash. Have a good trip!

If you plan to much time in snake country a snake avoidance class can be had for $50 to $75. Best insurance you can buy. Any local vet should be able to recommend a good one. (That's for Sam, not you.)

We want to buy some snakebite gators to wear around the bottom half of our legs when out and about in the desert ... we're tired of "worrying about snakes" all the time out there. I have snow skiing gators but am not sure these would protect against snakes bites.

Does anyone know what kind we should get (for desert use - not too hot) and where to get them?

rfryer wrote:
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.

molossus wrote:
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.

These two comments, are the best advice and found here in the Boondocking Forum.

I couldn’t have said it any better and I worked on a team collecting, documenting and milking venomous snakes. This was for a University Study documenting these reptiles. University of Texas, El Paso still conducts annual research and the collection and release continues to be the same now as it was then. We never had an incident in the hundreds of snakes we captured, recorded and then released, 40 years ago.

Don’t put your hands or feet in places you are unable to see and keep your children and pets controlled, while visiting known reptile, venomous or not, country. If one is encountered and bitten, stay calm and travel to the nearest medical facility. Rattlesnakes are Hemotoxic and this impacts the blood system and the cells that repair the injured area. Thus the bite location will have scarring. Gila Monsters are Neurotoxic and typically will not be a threat to humans, if left alone. (Interesting Fact, Gila Monsters have no Anus. So they are naturally cranky. Wouldn’t you be too?)

Snake Bite Kits? Throw them away. You will do yourself more harm and injury using them than the bite will do.


b



Yep, thats me Collecting a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) in mid 70’s

pnichols wrote:
We want to buy some snakebite gators to wear around the bottom half of our legs when out and about in the desert ... we're tired of "worrying about snakes" all the time out there. I have snow skiing gators but am not sure these would protect against snakes bites.

Does anyone know what kind we should get (for desert use - not too hot) and where to get them?

Wear Jeans and a high top boot and don't walk with your arms and hands close to the ground. The venom needs to get in your blood system, which would be difficult at best through jeans. If you see a snake, just walk the opposite direction or a wide berth around them.

b

molossus wrote:

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.

Wrong! You are right about not touching it, use a shovel. I should have been clear about that. If you leave it and someone's dog, for example, gets it, dead dog and you wouldn't even know. How about a child? We have a lot of 'rattlers down here.

LS

molossus wrote:

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.

Dogs are inquisitive and playful and a Gila monster might take umbrage at that. OP has a black lab

Roy&Lynne wrote:
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.

Bit like Dangerous snakes in Australia, more people have been killed by honeybees and the allergic reaction to their sting than any reptile.

Calisdad wrote:
If you plan to much time in snake country a snake avoidance class can be had for $50 to $75. Best insurance you can buy. Any local vet should be able to recommend a good one. (That's for Sam, not you.)

Please do not do this. It is very painful for the dog!

If you come across a rattlesnake, you will hear it. They warn before a strike, and once you have heard it, you won't forget the sound. Just keep your dog on a leash, and don't let him run free.

Scorpions like water, so please be careful around any sewer hoses/ areas. Keep a plug in your sinks when they are not being used. They have some crazy way of getting where you wouldn't expect.

I have lived in Az for 45 years. Only place I have seen a rattler in the last 25 is up at Lake Powell. There are quite a few Gila Monsters around, but they stick out pretty well, and move slow. They are not agressive unless you try and pick them up.

As someone else mentioned, it is going to be hot, and only time rattlers will be out is sunrise and sunset, usually around bushes or rocks. Keep your dog's nose out of bushes and don't let him chase after anything ( rabbits, chipmunks, prairie dogs, etc )

Much ado about nothing IMO. Have a fun trip. Oh, I hope you have a good generator, solar, and a/c !