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Rattlesnakes of Arizona
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by SnakeAddiction on May 11, 2014
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I just joined this site and apologize if this is the wrong place to ask this question.
Ok, I'm planning a weekend trip to Arizona either last weekend in June or the first in July. My wife is taking the kids to see family for 10 days and since I work during the week...that means I get a weekend herping trip!! My goal is to find rattlesnakes: Mojave, sidewinder and the white variant of the speckled rattlesnake to be specific. Oh, and finding a coral would probably make the trip worth it in itself. I've only found one of those in the wild before. Not cryptic by any means, just really elusive.
Now I'm sure some of you are already like, 'oh great, here we go again'. Well I'm not 9 years old or just watched and episode of Wild Recon. Haha. I'm 35 and have handled venomous snakes since my early teens. I have even owned a couple captive-born rattlesnakes, speckled and southern pacific, when I lived in Orange County years ago. This by no means makes me an expert, however, I am extremely cautious when it comes to the fanged fellows.
My intentions are not to milk, capture, kill, or transfer anything. I simply want a weekend trip to find these in the wild, take pictures, and have a great time while I'm at it.
On to my question. From what I've read, the mojave and sidewinder have a larger geographical range than the white speckled. The only place I have read the white speckled to be is along the Tinajas Altas Mountains near Yuma. Is this the only area they are found or does their range expand further north? It would be a 13 hr drive to that mountain range, which would cut into a 3-day weekend trip.
Also, if anyone lives in the western part of AZ and feels like a little weekend herping trip either June 27-29 or July 4-6, just let me know.
Thanks,
-Will
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RE: Rattlesnakes of Arizona
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by Bitiss on May 11, 2014
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Hi there,
I know your intention isn't a bad one at all, but I believe most guiders keep such locations a top secret due to fear of unsolicited field collection. What I heard from a buddy of mine, those that do know these locations don't leak until you can definitively prove you are for "real".
I do, however love these SW speckled rattlers too and sincerely hope that you can find someone who can let your family have a special experience in Arizona. I've never been out there frankly and would love to go.
Cheers,
Bob
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RE: Rattlesnakes of Arizona
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by SnakeAddiction on May 12, 2014
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Hi Bob,
I totally understand that. I'm not looking for den sites or any 'specific' location. I know of two den sites in the area and have only disclosed those locations to my old herpetology professor and a DNR employee while doing volunteer work conducting Utah chub surveys. So I completely understand the rules.
All I'm wanting to know is if the white phase specks are known to be found further north than the atlas mountain range. And like in my first post, I'm more than happy to have someone meet me down there.
-Will
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RE: Rattlesnakes of Arizona
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by atrox84 on May 16, 2014
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Unfortunately you will be coming out at a very bad time of year for attlesnakes in AZ. The optimum time would be more toward the end of July, August, and September when the summer rains come around. Early spring is also a good time. The time you will be coming out will be extremely hot and dry with little crotalid activity. As for the "white" specks, while I'd rather not disclose specific locations on a public forum, I will say that will be something that you will have to look for when you have more time. If you PM me I'll elaborate.
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