This fellow RV'er got bit on the arm when he went to investigate a "strange" noise under his RV. We've had some unusually warm temperatures in Southern Arizona so far this winter, so be careful when you're out and about. Living in Tucson, I've had many close calls, but I've been lucky to avoid a bite.At the end of the story, a doctor gives some great advice on what to do and what not to do if you're bitten. An no, running in circles screaming bloody murder won't help.Snake Bite StoryJim

"Sometimes, people try to pick up the rattlesnake and move it to a different area."Unbelievable. :SGood article, thanks for posting. It won't be long until the snakes are moving in the north east.We got lots of rattlesnakes and copperheads.

Yeah, the 17 year old kid across the street from us tried to pick one up by the tail so he could move it out of the road. He was bitten on the thumb. He didn't think the snake could bite him if he picked it up that way because he'd seen Steve Irwin do it on the Crocodile Hunter.

I camped in the CA, NV , AZ desert for 40 yrs. Never had a rattle snake chase me down. :B Most rattle snakes are trying to get away. Now I don't go sticking my hands in dark places. I realize coon tails don't always sound an alarm but just making noise and being aware of your surroundings will keep you out of trouble. They do like shade under RVs.

To a rattle snake, what is the difference between your motorhome and a big rock?

Arizona Rattlesnakes are Active Now | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Moderator
Moderator
Mar 10, 2016
As a rule of thumb, rattlesnakes can, at best, strike a distance of two-thirds their total body length. For example, a three foot long snake may be able to strike a distance of two feet. Always keep a safe distance from any snake.
Lady_Fitzgerald
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
BruceMc wrote:
We encountered a junior prairie rattler in South Dakota in the roadway in an RV park. My wife and I were walking down the road heading for the motorhome; I was staring at the moon as it was just setting dark. She mentioned there was something in the road just ahead of me. Yep, a rattler! I had her go down & fetch my brother & his GF from their unit. The little rattler was defending his spot, for sure. Eventually I found a 3' long stick to herd the little fella off the road and back into the brush.
No, I didn't try to pick it up.

That was my second encounter with a rattler. The first was in Washington in the eastern side of the gorge - it wouldn't strike or rattle - it was just going somewhere. Again, I was prompting it with a longer stick. No reaction, other than to go where it was going.

Be careful out there!

Using a 3' stick wasn't the brightest move. Rattlers can easily strike from 6' away.
W4RLR
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
The wife and I had just moved into our new to us sticks and bricks. We were moving stuff out of the fiver and into the house when my son told me to stop and don't move. He saw the timber rattlesnake I was about to step on and I didn't. With a LONG stick he picked it up and took it to the lot next to our property, then let it go. Could have been bad. The next summer I was weeding the front garden and wearing gloves when I surprised a copperhead. He didn't appreciate being disturbed, but again a long stick got him moving off the property. I've lived on this Tennessee mountain for four years, and I have seen three snakes. They don't like the vibrations from the bush hog, one felt it and crawled out of the way. I don't try to kill them, they have a place in the ecosystem ridding my area of rats and mice. So long as they stay away from the house, they can have the run of the rest of my five acres.
BruceMc
Explorer III
Mar 10, 2016
We encountered a junior prairie rattler in South Dakota in the roadway in an RV park. My wife and I were walking down the road heading for the motorhome; I was staring at the moon as it was just setting dark. She mentioned there was something in the road just ahead of me. Yep, a rattler! I had her go down & fetch my brother & his GF from their unit. The little rattler was defending his spot, for sure. Eventually I found a 3' long stick to herd the little fella off the road and back into the brush.
No, I didn't try to pick it up.

That was my second encounter with a rattler. The first was in Washington in the eastern side of the gorge - it wouldn't strike or rattle - it was just going somewhere. Again, I was prompting it with a longer stick. No reaction, other than to go where it was going.

Be careful out there!
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
Answer,, the motorhome is easier to get under.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
To a rattle snake, what is the difference between your motorhome and a big rock?
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
I camped in the CA, NV , AZ desert for 40 yrs. Never had a rattle snake chase me down. :B Most rattle snakes are trying to get away. Now I don't go sticking my hands in dark places. I realize coon tails don't always sound an alarm but just making noise and being aware of your surroundings will keep you out of trouble. They do like shade under RVs.
Tom_N
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2016
Yeah, the 17 year old kid across the street from us tried to pick one up by the tail so he could move it out of the road. He was bitten on the thumb. He didn't think the snake could bite him if he picked it up that way because he'd seen Steve Irwin do it on the Crocodile Hunter.
gbopp
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
"Sometimes, people try to pick up the rattlesnake and move it to a different area."

Unbelievable. :S

Good article, thanks for posting. It won't be long until the snakes are moving in the north east.
We got lots of rattlesnakes and copperheads.

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Arizona Rattlesnakes are Active Now

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