Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Caught this in my laundry room. Live in the Mojave desert, So Cal. Relocation soon.

It looks like a red diamond to me but I am no rattle snake expert.

That is most definitely a southwestern speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchelli phyrrus). You caught it in your laundry room? That's unusual, as they tend to favor rocky hillsides with lots of cover. I have seen them crossing roads before, but most of the ones I've seen I have actually located while I transversed a rocky river bed or wash. The animal pictured has a distinct reddish hue, but they are one of North Americas' most variable crotalids. Usually, their hue will match the color of surrounding rocks. Out here in Az, there are several locations where reddish ones can be found as well as bluish, pinkish, tan and yellowish ones. Great animals, but in my experience most tend to have a relatively short fuse. If you're going to release him, PLEASE release him in the area in which you found him. (As far away from human habitation as possible tho.) Be careful tho...they are remarkably quick, and some populations pack a pretty powerful punch.

-AzAtrox

He said he caught it in his laundry room....You said he should release it where he found it, but I'm assuming he should find another place.....sorry, couldn't help myself....lol

np

This pic is better, shows color more.

Yep, that snake is DEFINITELY a southwestern speck. Doing snake rescues here in Az, I've sometimes found these animals in people's yards, but these people almost invariably lived right next to a mountain or in a mountainous area. These snakes are seldom if ever found in lower lying areas, as they seem to be most closely associated with boulder strewn, rocky areas. In fact, one might be hard pressed to identify a speck that was right in front of them, camouflaged by granite rocks and boulders. Their powers of concealment are quite impressive. I have found animals that I would not otherwise have seen if they had not "sounded off"....Like I said, some of these animals have short fuses.

Great looking animal...Let's hope he's relocated somewhere safe where he can hunt rodents and lizards in peace.

-AzAtrox

I know just the place. A mountain in Apple Valley. It's called a mountain, more of a big rock strewn hill if you ask me.

that most rattlesnakes re-located out of their home territories just wander and die of predation or starvation. You would probably just be killing it by doing so. Better to release it as close as possible to the place of capture but yet still safely away or find someone who will take it off of your hands (usually no problem for a nice speck)

Found a nice Speckled in Flagstaff area in AZ 2 years ago. Was Greenish with Pink speckles. They are so pretty.
Find the very nearest place to that laundry room. If there is a canyon or whatever is nearest that he might have come from.
I am wondering if someone else had him and he got away from them. That is so strange he was in a laundry room?
I found mine up on a hillside with lots of rocks far far away from people. Almost stepped on him. They are so good at camoflauging (SP?)
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Crazy ZooLady

The laundry room, you lucky dog! That's a Panamint (stephensi) Speckled. And a darn nice one too. You really need to think about your "relocation" as mitchelii are generally very specific about the area/rock types they inhabit. In other words, just any rock pile/hill won't necessarily do. If it an eater, they make very interesting captives.

the first shot looked very similar to a phyrrus but the face gives it away. Second shot looks like a stephansi.

Are you say between Trona and Death Valley? or in that area?
At first I thought it was a mitchelli, but the second photo says stephensi, depending on where you are - it could be an intergrade, as I have found these before up that way. Quite strange how it looks like two snakes depending upon the picture you are looking at.
Cheers
Lat

Not a ruber. That's a C. mitchelli, the speckled rattlesnake. There are a couple of subspecies..pyrrhus, the southwestern, &
stephensi, the Panamint.

~~Greg~~

The best release would be the backyard. Keep pets inside for a bit, clean up any debris, close off any entrances to the house. Basically, a clean, boring yard will entice your snake to find a nicer home. A study on C.viridus oreganus in BC saw that relocated animals almost always found their way back to where they were taken (when relocation is only several miles). It is best to entice the snake to choose to leave on it's own. Then you also don't need to worry if the relocation will harm it as it is of its own doing.