Heading out west - snake precautions.
We'll be heading out to Scottsbluff country in a few weeks and I know there are rattlesnakes out there. I don't plan on taking our dog to the monument - he will be day boarded when we do - but on the...
Forum Discussion
I live in a snake infested area of Tucson AZ. I have several encounters with rattlesnakes every year. It is very rare to have an encounter in areas where you have good visibility.
During mid-day, it's unlikely you'll encounter a rattlesnake at all. The prime times for an encounter are late afternoon to after sunrise. Rattlesnakes are on the move when their prey (rodents) are out and about, and this is typically when it is darker and cooler. The majority of my encounters have been early morning or just after sunset.
Keep your dog on a leash, and in areas where you can see the ground clearly and you will likely never see a snake. If you do see one, just keep 5-6 feet away and you won't have any problem. They won't chase you or your dog. Please don't kill any snakes you encounter. Just give them some room. They are the most effective rodent control we have in desert areas.
The primary places to avoid are places where rodents are likely. Avoid thick brush, wood piles, creek beds, large rocky areas, and rodent dens.
During mid-day, it's unlikely you'll encounter a rattlesnake at all. The prime times for an encounter are late afternoon to after sunrise. Rattlesnakes are on the move when their prey (rodents) are out and about, and this is typically when it is darker and cooler. The majority of my encounters have been early morning or just after sunset.
Keep your dog on a leash, and in areas where you can see the ground clearly and you will likely never see a snake. If you do see one, just keep 5-6 feet away and you won't have any problem. They won't chase you or your dog. Please don't kill any snakes you encounter. Just give them some room. They are the most effective rodent control we have in desert areas.
The primary places to avoid are places where rodents are likely. Avoid thick brush, wood piles, creek beds, large rocky areas, and rodent dens.
