Scoot and William Snakespeare are HYBRID rattlesnakes. Their mother was a Mohave (Crotalus scutulatus) and their father was a Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox). While they are captive bread, Mohave and WDB rattlesnakes will occasionally hybridize in the wild.
They are too small for muzzling at the moment, but they will hopefully be big enough to train by late summer.
CB the Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) is back to his normal, charming self after a slow winter. He will be back out and training in the next few weeks. Don't let him fool you, Rattlesnakes are shy and defensive animals, but they don't like to be disturbed. Sometimes it's easier and less stressful to check on them with a camera instead of removing them from their enclosure.
Last week we got a call from a client asking if we wanted to pick up a Rattlesnake they had caught in their yard! When we got there, we learned that his neighbor had sprayed the snake with wasp poison (a relatively common online solution for killing snakes).
First, let us say we understand! Rattlesnakes are terrifying and everyone needs to feel safe, as well as protect their family and pets. When something dangerous enters your property, you've got to do what you've got to do.
However, the result of the poisoning was over 24 hours of seizures for the snake. Depending on how much poison they ingest, it is typically a death sentence.
There are several wildlife service license holders (legally authorized by AZGFD to complete humane snake, or other wildlife, removal and relocation) in our area, including us. We will NEVER charge a fee for Snake or Reptile removal in Payson. If safe to do so, please call a licensed removalist to humanely relocate the animal.
Below is a small video (excuse the poor quality) of the beautiful Arizona Black Rattlesnake having the poison washed off it and convulsing. It was crucial to do this immediately, even though the snake can be seen seizing.
The photo in the comments is the snake today. It's alive and doing really well. We won't know for sometime what its long term prospects are, but, for now, we are happy it's still alive.
Canine Rattlesnake Aversion and Sonoran Toad Aversion Training. Serving Payson, Rim Country, Gila County, and all of Rural & Greater AZ.
