Make sure you look at the picture, above. Yes, it is a snake. Yes, it is a rattlesnake. By posting this picture it feels like I am back up north putting my buck (deer) on the roof of the truck, and showing everyone I was successful during this year’s hunt.
But in the desert, and for this creature, success means not going to the hospital with a snake bite.
There are about 350 venomous snake bites per year in Arizona. The probability of being bit might now be as low as being hit by lightning, and you definitely don’t have the advantage of seeing storm clouds to give you a clue to get out of the path of harm.
Although a rattlesnake can show up anywhere at any time without warning, there are several myths associated with snakes in Arizona. Some friends up north will paint a picture of life in Arizona as snakes everywhere.
And I mean everywhere…going shopping? Better watch when you leave the car, there are probably six snakes at your feet in the parking lot. Going to the theater? Watch for two or three rattlesnakes under that popcorn box by your feet. Instead of a rainout, the following is typical: “Today’s game is canceled because of an excessive number of snakes on the field and in the bleachers.”
In reality, we are not living in a city that mirrors snakes on a plane. In a little less than 20 years living here, I have seen fewer snakes than I saw in 18 years of growing up in Michigan.
But, since we moved to a new build area, with open desert land surrounding us, this count has gone up. That has made me to do research to be prepared for what to do when I do discover a snake. Like CPR, knowledge will replace fear. Or, at least I sure heck hope so.
The research I did indicated it is best to leave the snake alone. This is not always an option. If a snake is in your yard, and you have a dog door, you need to do something. By this time, it is too late to buy a trap, which is another suggestion. Shooting the snake is another option. Of course, this advice is for those that own a gun. So, I need to choose my weapon. How will I go after the snake?
So, what is my hunting story? Did knowledge replace fear? How was I able to take down this rattlesnake and put it into its final resting place? (See picture, top of story).
Well, the story is so memorable, I can rattle off the entire sequence of events…(pun intended)
Morning: Cut branches from tree; trim bushes. Put in garbage bag…run out of garbage bags.
Next: Use this as an excuse to go to Home Depot.
Next: On the drive out of the subdivision notice something in the road, five houses from us. It might be a snake, or a rope.
Background: Generally, only those living in the neighborhood go to the dead-end road; very little traffic here.
About two hours after leaving house (garbage bags and you know, a few other things from Home Depot): Look at the same spot on the road as before. Notice the snake or the rope has not moved.
Park the car: Walk over…find out that it is a snake. A rattlesnake. Look from afar; yep, it looks dead. Look a little closer…yep, it looks dead. Take picture.
Look at picture: Yep, confirmed rattlesnake after blowing picture up real big (did not want to get too close). Pretty confident it is dead.
Next: Go to house, get trash container used for the yard waste…take a “grabber” device (see above) that allows you to pick up gross things without actually touching the gross thing.
Next: Neighbor sees me walking down street with garbage container and a grabber device, and some real big gloves. Neighbor asks me what the heck I am doing?
Next: I tell neighbor there is a snake, pointing to the road two houses down from us.
Next -warning — the bravery of this might be overwhelming: Take grabber thing..push the snake thing…and verify…yep, not alive.
Next: Grab snake with grabber thing. Put in yard waste garbage container.
Next: Neighbor and you look down in container, and say, “yep, dead. Yep that was a rattlesnake.”
Next: Take picture. Close up the bag, and be done with it.
Next: Post picture on Medium. Write a story that makes it appear I am brave for about 75 percent of the article.
Next: Finally, in the last 25 percent, break down the story to point out that it was really no big deal.
Next: Hope hundreds of readers enjoy this story.
References — Credits — Links — Sources
Number of snake bites: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rattlesnake-bites-arizona-man-in-the-face-neck-after-he-tries-catching-it/
How to kill a snake: http://wildliferemovalusa.com/snake-kill.html
