It’s snake season. And I’m not happy about it.
I am terribly frightened of snakes. I saw one the other morning at our park while on our walk.
A neighbor texted to tell me that another neighbor found a rattlesnake in her garage. Her husband trapped it in a garbage can and released it five miles away. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable driving with a rattlesnake in my car — garbage can or not.
Then last week while we were walking, a neighbor warned us about a huge rattlesnake a few blocks away from where we were headed.
“I’m done!” I said and turned my back and walked back to the house.
Every time I step outside, I take a careful look around. No more walking while looking at my phone. My eyes are peeled. In fact, I’m not spending much time outside anymore.
I googled rattlesnake bites in AZ. This is what I found:
Joe Hymes at the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary in north Scottsdale said that with temperatures warming up, this is the time of year that they receive the most calls about snakes.
He told AZ Family, “Most of the time, they are just soaking up the sun, but if you give them space, they will leave you alone.”
Snakes generally hide in cool, damp places.
Hymes explained, “Anywhere [snakes] will not feel overly exposed. They’ll hide under things — bushes, flower pots, raised sheds in the backyard, behind A/C units, behind pool pumps where moisture might condense. Those are all prime rattlesnake hiding spots.”
https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-04-05-its-snake-season-in-arizona-heres-what-to-do-if-you-see-a-venomous-snake/
You know what? Reading that did not make me feel a bit better.
A childhood friend of mine lives in San Diego and was bitten while talking a walk on his lunch hour last week. He said the snake bit him in the calf from behind. He never saw it. He was hospitalized for four days and had one of the worst reactions to a rattlesnake bite the hospital had ever seen.
In Palm Springs, we had rattlesnakes but we saw them on the hiking trails in the surrounding hills, not downtown where we lived.
Do you think my worry about snakes is warranted? Do you have anything you’re afraid of? What the most dangerous thing in your area?
Snakes are creatures of habit, and we keep building OUR homes on top of THEIR homes. They just return to the same spot for nesting. They are defending their territory as we are the intruders. Yeah, I know, this does not help you in this case, but maybe just a little understanding.
I have heard that they return after being removed.
I might try to change my own walking routine- time of day or route perhaps, especially if they’re out when it’s warmest. How long do they typically hang around? Perhaps the smart decision is simply to find an indoor mall setting and walk there while the snakes are around.
I don’t know how long they stay out. We walk in the morning and it’s too hot later to walk. Good ideas.
Think of this…you and Indiana Jones…you’re in good company. And I am totally with you
😅
You lost me at “it’s snake season.” I, too, hate snakes.
I don’t think there’s another creature I’m more afraid of out here.
I don’t blame you!
I’d worry too. Especially with walking the dog who likes to sniff and examine every bush.
Dogs often get bit on their nose.
I’d be very careful stepping outside. I’m very leery of snakes, all kinds.
I am too!
😱
I worry more about the human snakes….but the pythons and pet pythons make me think twice about some areas.
You have pythons in Florida. I forgot about that. And yes, watch out for human snakes.
Yes, in the Everglades it is common to see and many worry about them invading and moving further towards Tampa Bay. Yes, I have dealt with a few human like snakes recently and it was challenging but they teach me how to avoid them.
Wow! I have confidence in you to deal with the human snakes.
Omg 😱 I’m terrified of all animals, especially 🐍 snakes
I don’t mind most of the wild animals out here. Except for the coyotes and snakes!
*shudders*