January 2018 18 Are You Rattlesnake Ready? By Cody Will As temperatures drop to the lowest they’ll be for the year in the Sonoran desert, it is normal for the anxiety of snake-fearing residents to lessen as well. But where do the snakes go, and what are they actually doing? Based off of what appears to be common knowledge, one might expect to hear that they are now gone and “hibernating”. This, however, is not entirely true - as the occasional resident discovers!! Much of Arizona is well known for its beautiful, sunny winters that commonly offer highs in the 60’s or 70’s during the day; even during the coolest months. Compared to northern parts of the state and country, this is hardly a winter at all. What this means for rattlesnakes is nothing more than a flexible break from usual activity. Hibernation, which is a term that is used for endotherms (i.e. warm-blooded critters) does not exactly apply to reptiles. Rather, Arizona snakes undergo what is called brumation - which is essentially the reptile version of hibernation with its own unique differences. During brumation, the metabolism of the reptile has slowed to almost a standstill but has not ceased entirely. This means that if conditions are favorable, the occasional rattlesnake may happily exit its den site and bask in the open, drink rainfall, or even wander off if their winter den was disturbed. So does this mean a person may encounter a rattlesnake in December, January, or February? To the dread of those snake-phobic residents, the answer is “you betcha!”!! Thankfully, winter rattlesnake encounters are uncommon and only happen to those unlucky few that ended up in just the wrong place at the wrong time. Therefore, the key is to remain on guard at all times while recreating outdoors in Arizona, especially with children and pets. A brumating rattlesnake is still perfectly capable of inflicting its dangerous bite. Whether temperatures are in the 90s or the 60s, it is still best for kids and adults alike to avoid those snake-friendly habitats of rock piles and brush and to stick to the trail with a ready eye. For pets, it is very much worth considering snake avoidance training, which is exactly as it sounds. This form of training offers dogs safe exposure to real rattlesnakes as well as their sounds and smells, and they are taught to avoid all of that. Winter is especially ideal for training since the weather is excellent for the persons and dogs involved. After all, it is a one-time lesson and doesn’t require waiting for peak snake activity in the heat, or for that occasional winter surprise. In any case, residents ought to be aware that the threat of a rattlesnake encounter is year around in the Sonoran desert because they enjoy the very mild winters too!!!! Cody Will is the owner and operator of Rattlesnake Ready, LLC - a full-time dog training business located in Phoenix, Arizona that specializes in snake avoidance training. See www.RattlesnakeReady.com for more information.