Crotklauberi Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Hello everyone, I just wanted to take the time to share a passion of mine that is not hunting. We are blessed to have such a great diversity of habitat and wildlife here in Arizona and as avid outdoorsmen I'm sure many of us run into reptiles and amphibians. These animals are often stigmatized as something to be afraid of or to be killed on sight. The truth is that they are actually very peaceful, non confrontational and quite a bit of fun to observe. I just wanted to share a handful of pictures with you all and open a discussion about reptile encounters. I am very passionate about rattlesnakes and will mostly post those. A rattlesnakes first line of defense will almost always be to lay still and hope they are not seen, often times they can be observed in the "cow pie" position relying on their camo. So long as they think they have not been seen they will often remain that way until you pass. I often do my best to photograph them in a undisturbed state. In some cases I have been able to observe the same animals year after year. When encountered on the move a rattlesnake will often make you aware of its presence by rattling, this behavior is unaggressive and is to simply warn you of its presence. This is a Great Basin Rattlesnake - Crotalus lutosus A juvenile and an adult male Arizona black Rattlesnake - Crotalus cerberus An adult female Speckled Rattlesnake - Crotalus mitchellii phyrrus. I have observed this same female at the same bush 5 years in a row. Here is an example of animals communally sharing the same site. A gila monster and a Western Diamondbacked Rattlesnake - Crotalus atrox Another speckled rattlesnake. This species seemingly comes in every color under the sun. The Sonoran Gopher snake is a species I am sure many of you have encountered. The Black-tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus can be encountered in many mountain ranges in south and western Arizona. The Twin Spotted Rattlesnake is a small protected species that exist in 4 of the Sky Islands in SE Arizona. This is a mother (Whos head can be seen in the hole) who I followed for some months. She never left that site until she gave birth. Mother rattlesnakes remain and protect their offspring until they shed a week or two after they are born. They are also very social and can commonly be observed hanging out together at almost anytime of the year. Here is an example of a Tiger Rattkesnake - Crotalus tigris hunting in a wash late at night. For now I will finish up with Arizona's State reptile and one of my favorites the Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake. I hope you enjoy these and I welcome any questions and comments! All the best. 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Cool photos. I can say with much conviction, that poisonous snakes are not my passion. I did crawl into a snake den once to get video footage for a friend.....I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't cold out. Have you ever found a Timber rattler, All my years in the mountains, I have never seen one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5guyshunting Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Interesting, I didnt realize rattlesnakes give live birth. Thanks for posting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crotklauberi Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Snapshot, ' I have indeed encountered Timber Rattlesnakes, however they are native to the eastern United States. In Arizona, the Arizona Black Rattlesnake is often confused with the Timber Rattlesnake because they live in similar habitat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Excellent post and one of my favorite subjects! The subject of my MS work at UETP: Crotalus scutulatus (Mojave) Another all-time favorite (your moniker): And a personal favorite pic that my wife took of a Ridge-nosed: 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgraffaz Report post Posted February 4, 2015 I love to eat exotic foods, rattle snake is very exotice, I kill them on sight...right now I'm at a total of 6....cool pics...a lot safer to take pictures at a distance haha 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crotklauberi Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Nice klaub IA born! Chiricahua mtns? What kind of MS work did you do with the scutulatus? Some of those pictures I am less than a foot from the animal, they are pretty harmless once you get to know them a little better! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted February 4, 2015 THe natural camo of those snakes is pretty cool in itself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Nice klaub IA born! Chiricahua mtns? What kind of MS work did you do with the scutulatus? Some of those pictures I am less than a foot from the animal, they are pretty harmless once you get to know them a little better! Yep, Chiricahuas. Was on a research permit, so I got to help install transmitters in the little buggers! Here's one from the Huchcuas all tucked up I studied the venom and evolution of venom in scutes for my actual MS, but I was into all kinds of venom studies. It was the Mojave toxin and lack of in some areas that sparked my interest. Here's a pdf of my one and only publication to lull you to sleep at night. Wooldridge et al_2001 Mojave Toxin.pdf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLW Report post Posted February 4, 2015 my favorite way to observe them is just this... a cool photo! my least favorite, black tailed rattle snake.... I think the locals around payson and young breed them to keep me away from their honey holes.. LOL! those things just have an attitude! cool pics thanks for sharing. James 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crotklauberi Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Nice klaub IA born! Chiricahua mtns? What kind of MS work did you do with the scutulatus? Some of those pictures I am less than a foot from the animal, they are pretty harmless once you get to know them a little better! Yep, Chiricahuas. Was on a research permit, so I got to help install transmitters in the little buggers! I studied the venom and evolution of venom in scutes for my actual MS, but I was into all kinds of venom studies. It was the Mojave toxin and lack of in some areas that sparked my interest. Here's a pdf of my one and only publication to lull you to sleep at night. Wooldridge et al_2001 Mojave Toxin.pdf LOL I will definitely read it! Any pubs for the telemetry study? Have you presented on any of this? Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted February 4, 2015 I wasn't the lead for the telemetry study, just a lacky. But it was a great time! I've done a couple of presentations on my work over the years, but nothing big. Its been years since I've done any research. Now I'm neck deep in other conservation work. I still chase herps when I can, though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted February 4, 2015 youre a sick bastard OP 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZHog Report post Posted February 4, 2015 Thanks for sharing the cool pics and insight into the various rattlesnakes. Use to see timber rattlers as a kid back in Arkansas, but haven't seen many snakes at all out here. Guess I better get out in the woods and desert more often. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azgutpile Report post Posted February 4, 2015 How do you tell the sex of a snake? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
