Prism

Trans people don't need the government's permission to be ourselves.

A property manager called about a rattlesnake curled up next to the front door. When Maggie arrived, she found a speckled rattlesnake resting in the shade. The property backs up directly against a steep, rocky mountain, where this species of rattlesnake can be found.

A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake back in August, found under a chicken coop. Greyson helped the snake get to a better spot.

Just a reminder – any decoration that looks like a snake may be a real rattlesnake. We were called to get this speckled rattlesnake hiding in the decorations last Halloween.

A newborn Mojave Rattlesnake, shortly after leaving its mother and siblings for the first time, found in a warehouse storage room back in August. Austin was sent out to help it get to a new situation, a large network of rodent burrows within its natural home range.

Three of the half dozen or so Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes that occupy this den each winter. These snakes spend a lot of time during the early spring basking and making short movements to thermoregulate and for social reasons, where they are vulnerable to predators and other threats.

The tiny face of a Sonoran Coralsnake. These tiny snakes are highly venomous, but reluctant to bite. Avoiding this is simple: don't make the stupid decision to pick one up. If you can do that, there is no danger from these little snakes.

[Cue bleating of grandpa's inaccurate rhyme]

Pool pump areas are usually out of the way, tucked behind walls or bushes, and seldom visited. That is, of course, unless you're working in pool maintenance, in which case the odds of seeing a rattlesnake in a backyard can go way up.

A call came in for a pair of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes at a property in Tucson. They were both resting alongside a planter box in the yard, likely taking advantage of the higher ambient moisture. Gary safely captured them and took them to a perfect spot within their estimated home range.

A Blacktailed Rattlesnake coiled in the grass in the Madrean woodlands of southeastern Arizona. These large, greenish rattlesnakes are a common sight for hikers and naturalists in the area.

A mother Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and two of her babies were spotted (just barely) in dense vegetation at a home in Rio Verde. There was a massive storm the previous night that blew debris from nearby construction into the yard, and may have played a part in why the snakes were there.

A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was spotted by a homeowner coiled up on the back patio. The yard doesn't yet have rattlesnake fencing, so the side gates might as well be propped wide open for an animal that's only an inch tall.

A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was first spotted just outside the front door behind a potted plant, as they often are, but moved elsewhere after it was startled. It settled in between these pavers, which is where Cheyenne found it when she arrived a short time later.

KOSA KEEPS RISING FROM THE DEAD - DON'T LET THIS ZOMBIE BILL SUCCEED. It would implement widespread age verification across all 50 states and censor queer/reproductive content!

"Indoor Cats Live Longer" as a quick video clip.

A Mojave Rattlesnake hanging out on the patio of a newly constructed home near Prescott, Arizona. For several years after a new development is completed, snakes displaced by the process may show up at random places where there was once habitat.

A Central American Eyelash Viper I found on a family vacation about a year ago to Costa Rica. I found none of the golden yellow version, but this minty green zipper patterned one was a welcome sight.

This Mojave Rattlesnake was found hanging out in a shady corner of the building for a few days. There were kids in the area and a school nearby, so eventually it was decided that it should get a ride elsewhere.

A homeowner had the fire department out to catch a rattlesnake. They took it just out of sight and dumped it out. Soon after, it was back at the home, and we were called to handle it. Just before Marissa arrived, the homeowner saw the snake strike at a cottontail.

This guy knows it's bucket time.

A kid had a little time to play in the yard before school, but on this particular morning that was cut short. The mom saw a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake cruising through the yard, which stopped alongside the back fence. They had to leave, but Marissa was able to find the snake after search.

After a rattlesnake fence installation, the crew got on the last step: checking the yard carefully to make sure nothing got trapped inside. Mike and Josh found a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake alongside the house, and a large kingsnake made an appearance right at the end.

A Mojave Rattlesnake on the crawl after a wet night in southeastern Arizona. It's moving laterally, hissing and watching the perceived predator with the camera, but not rattling. As this species often does, instead, it curls its tail and "wags" it slowly as a display.

Blacktailed Rattlesnakes are large, usually greenish snakes found in mountainous habitat. Of the rattlesnake species in the areas where we work, they are the least likely to be found at a home. This one was on the patio near Prescott, Arizona.

Of the Midget Faded Rattlesnakes (Crotalus concolor) I've seen, which is a smaller number than I'd prefer, I think this is the best looking.

This pretty Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake was found in a bush at a home next to the preserve. Great care is taken to find the right spot to relocate specialist species like this.

A well-shaded entryway with a decorative hiding spot was perfect for this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to camp out for the day. The homeowner spotted it, and gave us a call.

What can be done to reduce the chances of a repeat encounter in this spot?

[insert various jokes about skipping leg day]

A homeowner was working out in the garage when she noticed she had a visitor. The Mojave Rattlesnake got in through a gap under the door, and was taking advantage of the free cool spot to hang out for the day.

The homeowner saw the snake the day prior inside a well. It's in an enclosed room, but the lid had a hole where the snake must have fallen in while trying to get a drink. It took some time, but Marissa was eventually able to fish it out with her tongs while it swam around.