PVCC Puma Press: April 2006

If you can think back to the last time you were almost in a car accident or nearly fell but caught yourself in the stumble, think about how your body reacted. The twitching nerves, the blood rushing to your face and even the feeling of your stomach dropping were all innate responses to a threat. There are many events and sounds that produce this adrenaline-initiated fight-or-flight reaction in human beings. Your body will react faster to the threat than you will cognitively recognize it. Once the situation is dissipated, you will probably calm down and realize that you are no longer threatened. This entire process takes only a few seconds, at least in your “ordinary” urban life.In contrast, there are many sounds and movements in the world of wildlife that will evoke in you a fight-or-flight response. These situations will require a little more of your time to work through. An example can be the simple sound of a rattle or a coiling motion coming from a common Arizona resident, the rattlesnake.

Although this animal can be extremely dangerous, it is an evolutionary marvel. It is also a very important occupant in our desert ecosystem.

A deeper understanding of this spectacular animal will hopefully create better situations for both people and snakes, as our continued development and encroachment in rattlesnake habitat will undoubtedly set the stage for more encounters.

In Arizona, there are 17 different rattlesnake species and subspecies. The most common are the Western Diamondback and Mohave rattlesnakes. Some of the least common are the Banded Rock and Ridgenose rattlesnakes, which live only in the Chiricahua Mountains. The most venomous snake is the Mohave, which accounts for more fatalities in the Southwest than any other rattlesnake species.

The Mohaves are northwestern Arizona residents and have a unique form of toxicity. They produce neurotoxic venom that is much more toxic than that of the Western Diamondback, which produces a hemotoxic venom. Hemotoxic venom affects the blood and tissues, while neurotoxic venom affects the central nervous system, including the heart and lungs.

	........................
	Although this animal can be extremely dangerous, it is an evolutionary marvel
	........................

Regardless of species, all rattlesnakes have many characteristics in common. They are all pit vipers, meaning that they have triangular-shaped heads and heat-sensing holes, or pits, near their eyes.

Their elongated fangs are retractable and hollow. The venom comes through these fangs from glands at the base of the head and is injected, much like it would be through a hypodermic needle.

Rattlesnakes use their venom sparingly while hunting. Venom requires a great deal of energy and resources to produce; therefore, it is controlled. Typically, only the amount required to stun prey is used.

Snakes will consume rodents, small birds, amphibians and just about anything that will fit into their mouths. These reptilian predators are a natural pest control and are very valuable in our deserts.

All rattlesnakes give birth to live young, and they are the only known reptile to express significant maternal instincts. Mothers protect their young for several weeks after birth. Up to 11 babies are born in August, and baby rattlesnakes are very dangerous, perhaps even more so than their parents.

Babies aren’t yet able to control venom excretions and can dispense all of it at once. Unlike their parents, they do not yet have rattles which develop with age and cannot make noise when threatened, making them silent and very dangerous.

Like many reptiles, rattlesnakes are cold-blooded. They hibernate in communal winter dens called hibernaculums. They require warm ambient temperatures and strong sunlight for their bodies to function optimally.

They emerge in the spring, typically March in Arizona, as the weather warms and daylight hours extend. This is the time of year when they are active during the day and on the roads.

Mornings are still cool, and they seek warmth from sun-baked pavement. This is also a time of year when they are very hungry and seek to replenish food storage lost during hibernation. During the hot summer months, rattlesnakes are active in the evenings and seek shade during the day.

During the fall before hibernation, they are again very active—seeking food to store energy.

As residents in Maricopa County, Western Diamondbacks are of greater concern and are responsible for more bites than any other species. While they can reach upwards of six feet in length, most human encounters occur with much smaller specimens.

Since humans have moved into their habitats and destroyed them, the rattlesnakes' only refuges are the natural xeriscapes that either are planted or still exist between subdivisions.

Rattlesnakes are not considered aggressive animals and will never attack anything they don’t want to consume, including us or our pets. Always remember: humans initiate encounters; snakes do not.

They strike only in defense of their own lives, and humans are considered a threat. If encountered, rattlesnakes will posture, rattle and coil; however, this is a defensive display, and if left alone, they will retreat.

While rattlers typically can be heard when threatened, an audible warning is not guaranteed. If you happen to see a rattlesnake from a distance, turn around and go the other way. If you happen to come close enough to a rattlesnake to see a defensive posture, freeze. Wait for the snake to settle down. Give it a chance to move away, and then move back from the area very slowly.

Most bites occur when rattlesnakes are taunted, when people attempt to capture or kill them, and often when alcohol is involved. Harassing and killing native wildlife is illegal under most circumstances. If you absolutely cannot tolerate a rattlesnake living near you, you can call your local fire department (do not dial 911).

The firefighters will capture the animal and move it. But keep in mind that most relocations result in death for the animal. If you have a rattlesnake in your area, also keep in mind that you probably don’t have a rodent problem and you are removing the best pest control available.

Rattlers have a very important role in our environment, and they should be respected as much as any other member of our ecosystem.