Here are some Rattlesnake Facts, according to Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona Scientific Name: Canadensis Family Name for this AZ snake: Rattlesnake Mannagrass. You may know them or heard others refer to them as Western Diamondbacks. Here in The Sonoran Desert, we have 11 species of rattlesnakes, which is more than anywhere else in the world. They are one of the most highly specialized organisms. Fangs are said to be like retractable hypodermic needles! Hopefully you have never been bit by one of these rattlers and never do. I have never been bit by them and don't care to find out just how much their fangs resemble hypodermic needles! Rattlesnakes will also shed their fangs about every 28 days, equal to about every 1.5 feedings. Their fangs can often be found inside a prey animal, later passed through the snake's digestive system. Snakes do not chew their food; it is easier for them to swallow their prey whole. By doing so, the limbs are able to fold up properly and do not hinder the swallowing process. Rattlesnake venom will break down blood. A snake’s venom can also paralyze the nerves of the prey, which help subdue its prey, which is actually the very beginning of the digestive process. A rattlesnake has something called Jacobson's Organ for augmenting smell. This organ is located on the roof of the mouth and interprets chemical scents delivered to it by their forked tongue. The Pit Organ, located at the corner of the snake's mouth, is most often used for seeing at night, but it can also be used when there is not enough light, too. This is actually how they get their nickname, Pit Viper. The Pit Viper has pit organs which appear as holes located between each eye and the mouth, giving them the ability to sense heat. The rattler was most definitely blessed with sensation abilities! Even the body of a rattlesnake is able to sense animals through the ground vibrations that it feels. Female rattlesnakes give birth to live young that already have a prebutton on the end of their tail. Be careful though...the young snakes are indeed venomous! A new segment is added to the rattle after each shedding of the skin. The rattling sound that these snake are famous for producing is a result of the segments that rub against each other. If you have been bitten by a rattlesnake, consult a medical professional as soon as possible. CALL 9-1-1 for medical assistance. Keep the victim as calm as possible and either transport them to the hospital immediately or call 9-1-1 if the medical condition of the person is severe. NEVER USE a tourniquet. I contacted poison control here in Arizona and I was told that you should never apply a tourniquet and you should never apply ice, or never try to suck out the venom as those things could cause tissue damage. In addition, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible. Call 9-11 as soon as possible. How Can You Tell If A Snake Is An Arizona Rattlesnake? Look for the distinguishing marks. If it is a rattlesnake, it will have a flat, triangular shaped head. Many of these snakes will have colorations of patches with tan and brown. Probably the easiest way to determine whether or not you are seeing a rattlesnake or not, is if you see the rattler that all of these snakes have. Keep in mind that the younger Arizona Rattlesnakes may not have fully developed rattlers, which may be hard to identify at first glance, so be careful and do not get any closer! What Time Do Snakes Come Out During The Day? As with all reptiles, rattlesnakes, are not able to regulate their own body temperature. They are more active when it is cooler, but they can and do come out of hiding at any time of the day. Here in the desert, Arizona Rattlesnakes can easily overheat and die if they cannot find a cool place to keep themselves cool. They like to stay cool underneath rocks or bushes where it is significantly cooler. Since these Arizona Rattlesnakes for the most part, eat rodents, this means that they are active during the night. Arizona Rattlesnakes like to hunt at night when the cooler air makes the heat image of the mammal stand out from its surrounding environment. How Deadly Are They? While the Arizona Rattlesnake is known as being venomous and a deadly reptile, there are actually very low fatality rates in humans. The bite is very painful, though and can be very frightening and should be taken very seriously. You should still note that a large specimen of the common Western Diamondback can still consist of enough hemotoxic venom to kill an adult human. However, larger Arizona Rattlesnakes are usually less aggressive and most will only strike if they feel threatened or provoked. The more the allergic reaction or negative side effects are, obviously the more damaging the bite. A rapid response time will greatly reduce the potential serious health threats. Arizona Rattlesnakes also have the ability to control their venom flow and will usually refrain from using all of its venom. Victim beware though! The bite can still cause extensive tissue damage in the bite area. How Can I Keep Snakes Out Of My Yard? 1. Cut your grass and keep it short. Keeping grass short will allow greater visibility and help discourage snakes from hiding out in the long grass to keep cool in the hot summer sun. 2. Control rodents in your living space outside. This will help prevent Arizona Rattlesnakes believing that the outside of your home is a welcome mat! 3. Keep your front and back yard free and clear of excess debris. Arizona Rattlesnakes like to hide under things such as wood or brush. Keep these items to a bare minimum to prevent them from being attracted. 4. While bird feeders are great to have as they provide a lot of viewing enjoyment to many, bird feeders attract snakes. 5. If you don't have a dog or cat, think about getting one. Just the presence of a dog or cat in the yard, helps deter Arizona Rattlesnakes! The odors that a dog or a cat gives off will help discourage a snake from calling your yard home. It is very important to note, though, you should NOT leave your dog or cat outside unattended as the possibility for a coyote attacking your canine or feline is becoming more and more common here in Arizona, as we continue to take over the coyotes living areas. 6. As mentioned, Arizona Rattlesnakes taste the air, and they do not like the taste of sulfur. Consider purchasing powdered sulfur, available in the gardening section at your local home improvement store. The powdered sulfur is also good for preventing fleas and ticks! 7. Arizona Rattlesnakes are smart creatures and will travel where food is. You can also help keep them away by keeping their prey, such as mice, rats and birds, to a limit. 8. Mothballs are also a good deterrent against not only snakes, but small animals that you are trying to keep out.
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz