Can you kill a rattlesnake in Arizona? Here's what the law says

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29-06-2025

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Think twice before killing that snake. In Arizona, the law might not be on your side.
While it's perfectly natural to be startled by a slithering rattlesnake on your hike, it's illegal to kill certain species of rattlesnakes in Arizona.
Arizona law protects snakes and regulates or prohibits hunting, collecting or killing some species. Here's what Arizona law says about killing rattlesnakes and other species.
Yes, rattlesnakes are protected by law in Arizona. We talked to Thomas Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager at Arizona Game & Fish, who told us more about the subject.
'All wildlife is protected in Arizona, technically, and whether one is allowed to collect or to kill wildlife is determined by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. So it's all protected, and protections are eased or added to depending on the species,' Jones said.
'With rattlesnakes and with other wildlife, if the animal presents a danger to people, and in some cases, pets, then one can kill a rattlesnake. We try to discourage that, of course, because there are ways of mitigating that issue.'
Jones said that just because a rattlesnake startles you doesn't mean you can kill it. Unless it poses a clear and immediate danger to humans, it's protected by law and should be left alone.
It's not illegal to kill a rattlesnake in Arizona, but there are important legal and ethical boundaries. If a rattlesnake poses an immediate threat to you, your family or pets, you're legally allowed to kill it in self-defense.
But this doesn't mean you can harm snakes at random while out hiking or working on your property. Seeing a rattlesnake, even if it startles you, is not a justifiable reason to kill it under state law.
Some rattlesnake species are further protected by Arizona law, including the Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake, the twin-spotted rattlesnake, the banded rock rattlesnake and the massasauga, Jones said. Harming or killing these snakes can lead to serious consequences, including fines or criminal charges.
Arizona also prohibits the wasteful killing of wildlife. And if you have a justifiable reason to kill a snake, you can't use hazardous methods like poison or firearms in unsafe ways, particularly in populated areas.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department may impose fines of at least $250 per rattlesnake for killing unprotected species, and up to $8,000 if the snake is a protected species. Repeat offenders face steeper penalties, with fines doubling or tripling after multiple violations. In some cases, you could lose your hunting or fishing privileges.
You need a valid Arizona hunting license to legally kill, collect or possess most rattlesnakes.
'There is what's called a bag and possession limit for every hunting license or fishing license," Jones said. "It's the number you can take in a certain day or over the course of the year, and then the number you can keep. For most rattlesnakes, I believe It's four animals per day or in possession.
"But again, it doesn't allow you to go out and just kill them.'
There is no hunting season for protected rattlesnake species like the ridge-nosed rattlesnake, twin-spotted rattlesnake, massasauga and banded rock rattlesnake.
'They are completely protected and may not be taken even with a hunting license. And those four all live in southeastern Arizona and each of them has a very limited geographic distribution,' said Jones.
There's no open season on these species, Jones said, because their limited geographic range means it would be easy to deplete their numbers quickly if people were allowed to collect them.
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Intentionally running over any snake can be considered animal cruelty under state law. Arizona's animal cruelty statute (A.R.S. § 13-2910) prohibits intentionally, knowingly or recklessly inflicting unnecessary physical injury or death upon any animal.
Violations can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the act. Even if the snake is on your property, harming it without legal justification could lead to consequences.
However, if a snake poses an immediate threat to human safety or is in a location where it cannot be safely relocated, taking action to protect yourself is legally permissible. In such cases, it's advisable to contact local authorities or wildlife professionals for guidance on safe removal.
Shooting a rattlesnake is generally legal in Arizona if you have a valid hunting license and the action is deemed necessary for self-defense or to protect others.
'But certainly people are not allowed to just go out and kill rattlesnakes because they don't like them and they want to kill them,' said Jones.
In Arizona, it is illegal to own any venomous snake, including rattlesnakes, coral snakes, cobras and other exotic species. This is to protect public safety and native wildlife.
Other reptiles including Gila monsters and Mexican beaded lizards are also illegal to own due to their venomous nature and conservation status.
Nonvenomous snakes such as kingsnakes, gopher snakes and rosy boas are generally legal to own as pets, provided they are not protected species and you follow any local city or county regulations. Check with Arizona Game and Fish and your municipality before acquiring a reptile to ensure you're within the law.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can you kill a rattlesnake on your property? What AZ law says