Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes are a normal part of desert life around Tatum Ranch, especially where yards back to native desert. The Western diamondback is the one people encounter most; Mojave, black-tailed, sidewinder, and speckled rattlesnakes also live in the broader region depending on the terrain. They are generally most active from roughly March through October and on warm evenings, and they are not out to chase anyone; most bites happen when someone tries to handle or kill a snake.

If you see a rattlesnake in your yard, the Arizona Game and Fish Department's advice is to leave it alone. Do not approach, handle, kill, or try to relocate it yourself. Keep children and pets well back, watch it from a safe distance if you can do so safely, and call a licensed snake relocation service to move it. Rattlesnake Solutions LLC is a licensed, Arizona Game and Fish Department-authorized relocation service covering Cave Creek, Carefree, and the greater Phoenix area with 24/7 response, (480) 237-9975, rattlesnakesolutions.com. The Phoenix Herpetological Society is another option. Confirm current availability and pricing when you call.

If a person or pet is bitten, treat it as an emergency. Per Banner Poison and Drug Information Center guidance: call 911 or get to the nearest emergency department, stay calm, keep the victim as still as possible to slow the venom, keep the bite at or below heart level, and remove rings or anything constricting. Do not cut the wound, try to suck out venom, apply a tourniquet, or use ice. Every bite needs medical evaluation, even a dry one. Call the free Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or Banner at (602) 253-3334 with questions.

Two things reduce risk for households with pets and kids: rattlesnake-aversion training for dogs, offered by trainers around the Phoenix area, and rattlesnake fencing along yard perimeters. Both are worth looking into if your home borders open desert.

Safety and coexistence

• Leave any snake alone; do not approach, handle, kill, or move it yourself
• Keep kids and pets well back and call a licensed relocation service
• Watch where you place hands and feet; use a flashlight outdoors after dark
• Keep the yard clear of debris, woodpiles, and dense ground cover that shelter prey
• Consider rattlesnake fencing and aversion training for dogs if you border open desert
• For any bite: call 911, keep the victim calm and still, and call Poison Help 1-800-222-1222 (no ice, no tourniquet, no cutting)