Well, I don't have to tell you that summer has arrived and will be with us for the next several months so stay safe and well hydrated.

Spring and early summer are when snakes emerge from winter hibernation, begin foraging for food, and lay eggs. So during this period we're used to getting calls about snake sightings but this year that number has significantly increased.

I think it will be helpful to briefly describe the three snakes that are most prominent in our area: Bull Snake; Red Racer; Western Diamondback Rattler. The rattler is the only one that is venomous and I'll spend more time describing its habits. This should not be construed as meaning the other two snakes are friendly and make nice household pets because that's not the case. All of these snakes will attack and bite.

Bull Snake

T Coiled Bull Snake

This is one of the largest snakes native to the US averaging 6' in length and weighing 6 lbs. The species is primarily yellow in color with brown and black blotching on their back.

Behavior: Bull snakes are typically found in the open desert and sunning themselves during early morning hours. The species is generally very defensive and known for having a bad attitude. When threatened by anything as large as a human it tries to imitate a rattlesnake by rearing up in an "S" shape posture, hissing, and rapidly vibrating its tail on the ground to create a rattle-like sound. It will lunge and retreat a few times then flee the scene. While the snake is not venomous it will bite so don't take any chances with this fella.

Diet: Food primarily consists of small mammals, e.g., mice, rats, lizards, gophers, ground squirrels, and rabbits.

Red Racer on the Hunt

This is the desert's fastest moving snake and can average 7 MPH. The species is sleek with a large head and eyes, and can reach up to 6' in length. Its color varies with shades of light brown, pink and reddish tones then changes to solid tan or reddish along the tail that looks like a braided whip.

Behavior: The Red Racer avoids areas with dense vegetation and is generally found in open desert areas around Yucca Scrub and Cactus. It's very adept at climbing trees, shrubs, and bushes. Refuge is sought in rodent burrows, under shaded vegetation, and structures, and surface objects.

The Red Racer is active during the day and hunts with its head held high moving side to side. Prey is overcome and crushed with its jaws then eaten without first being constricted. This is a very mean-tempered snake that will aggressively attack and bite anyone who threatens it or attempts to get close. The bite is not venomous but will easily tear skin.

Diet: Food primarily consists of small mammals including bats, nestlings and adult birds, lizards, snakes, and amphibians.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Rattler on Full Alert

The Western Diamondback Rattler is a pit viper with an average length of 4' and weight is 4 to 6 lbs. The body is plump with a short tail and broad, triangular head. Each link of the rattle on the end of its tail is the remnant of molted skin. New rattles are formed with each molt and the old ones simultaneously fall off the end. The snake has long, tubular fangs that are characteristic of venomous snakes.

Color can be yellowish gray, pale blue, or pinkish ground. The diamond shapes down its back are dark with pale white borders. The tail is white with jet-black rings. The head markings include a pale oblique band from nostril to upper labials, and a similar but narrower band behind the eye.

Behavior: Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are aggressive, easily excitable, and cause more fatalities than any other snake in the United States. They are defensive and not likely to attack offensively. Their rattles are used as a warning sign and can activate at 40 to 60 cycles a second. The Western Diamondback assumes the threat posture by slightly flattening its body, rolling it together into a spiral, lifting the fore-body from the ground into an S-shape, and keeping the tail raised and the rattle rattling.

This snake hunts at night and can deliver a fatal bite in a split second by injecting venom into its prey. The teeth often remain inside the prey, but are replaced 2 to 4 times annually by reserve teeth.