Desert Gold Diggers

These are photos of an Arizona Black Rattlesnake that Phil Johnson and Doug McDow recently (early April) encountered in the wash at Little Bruiser. According to Doug "We were taking a couple of pan samples and the Snake was about 4 ft. behind me when Phil spotted him."

This is a good reminder that at this time of year the weather is warming up and the snakes will be coming out. During the Spring and Fall, one can run into a snake almost any time during the day. During the summer hot weather the snakes come out mostly during the early morning and late evening hours, when it is dark and cooler, so we are less likely to run into them during the day, unless one turns over a rock with a snake underneath.

I make it a habit when walking in the desert to make at least some noise so that snakes will not be surprised as I approach and hopefully slither off and I usually never see them. I have had a couple stand their ground but they gave me plenty of warning and I didn't argue. Of course when walking in the desert, looking where you step is mandatory to avoid both cacti and snakes. I'm also careful around rock piles and any crevice where a snake could hide. Be safe out there and bring home the gold.

Photos courtesy of Doug McDow.

Arizona Black Rattlesnake

Arizona Black Rattlesnake

The Arizona Herpetological Association has a lot of good information on Arizona snakes.

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This page was last updated on 15 April 2007.