Latest news with #MojaveRattlesnake
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
How venomous is the Mojave rattlesnake? You really don't want to find out
Welcome to Snake Week 2025 at Every day from June 23 through June 29, Ultimate Arizona reporter Tiffany Acosta will bring you a new story about Arizona's favorite slithering reptiles. Follow along to learn about coral snakes, whether it's legal to kill snakes in Arizona, the pros and cons of snakes as pets and the absolutely wildest facts about snakes. The Mojave rattlesnake might look like its cousin, the Western diamondback, but don't be fooled. The Mojave rattlesnake packs one of the most potent venoms with a nasty neurotoxic twist that can affect your nervous system. Found mostly in Arizona's northwestern deserts and open grasslands, Mojave rattlesnakes love dry, sunny real estate and often blend into the sand. They're not typically aggressive but will strike if threatened. If you're hiking, watch your step and don't ignore that rattling soundtrack. Here's what to know about the Mojave rattlesnake, one of the most fearsome species in Arizona. Yes, Mojave rattlesnakes are found in Arizona, especially in desert regions across the southern and western parts of the state. They're one of the most common snakes in Arizona, right up there with the Western diamondback rattlesnake and the gopher snake. The Mojave rattlesnake looks a lot like its cousin, the Western diamondback. Here are some differences and similarities: Color: Mojave rattlesnakes are usually greenish-gray to brownish, which has earned them the nickname "Mojave green." Tail bands: One of the best giveaways is that Mojave rattlesnakes have narrow white bands and thicker black bands near the rattle. In contrast, the Western diamondback's tail bands are more evenly spaced. Head shape: Like other rattlesnakes, Mojaves have a triangular head with heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils. Mojave rattlesnakes aren't out to get you. They're generally not aggressive unless provoked, but they can be more defensive than other rattlesnakes, especially during mating season or when cornered. 'Aggression is an individual trait, and it varies. I have encountered Mojave rattlesnakes that didn't rattle or move. Others have been quite defensive and aggressive," said Thomas Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager at Arizona Game & Fish Department. "They are relatively large snakes and can put up a fight, if necessary. Also, even though I use the term 'aggressive,' I recognize that what we perceive as aggression is just vigorous defense on their part.' The Mojave rattlesnake is extremely venomous and what makes it especially dangerous is its neurotoxic venom, which can affect the nervous system, leading to difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death if untreated. Some Mojave rattlesnakes also have hemotoxic components in their venom, which damage tissues and blood. Not every Mojave has the same venom mix, though. If you get bitten by a Mojave rattlesnake, it's a medical emergency. Mojaves have one of the most potent venoms in North America. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, vision problems and severe pain and swelling at the bite site. 'Treat it with your cellphone and 911,' said Jones. 'Nothing else. Loosen clothing and remove jewelry on the affected limb, but don't do anything else, no electric shock, no cut-and-suck, no ice, nothing. "Get professional help as quickly as possible.' They are different species, so there are many differences. Here's how Jones explains it: 'Both species have obvious black and white rings just above the rattle. On Mojave rattlesnakes, the black rings are generally narrower than the white rings; on diamondbacks, it's just the opposite, black rings are wider. "Of course, that requires a close look, and that's not a good idea, for obvious reasons.' Jones says you can find Mojave rattlesnakes in all of Arizona below the Mogollon Rim. They roam through grassy plains, scrublands and rocky desert foothills. They prefer dry, open terrain with sparse vegetation, often at elevations between 500 and 5,000 feet. Mojave rattlesnakes blend in with sandy or rocky environments and can be tough to spot until you hear that telltale rattle. Keep your eyes peeled when exploring open desert areas, especially during the warmer months when they're most active. Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Follow @tiffsario on Instagram. Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What happens if you get bit by a Mojave rattlesnake? It's bad
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Yes, snakes can fly. But not in Arizona. 10 facts to know about them, like how they smell
Welcome to Snake Week 2025 at Every day from June 23 through June 29, Ultimate Arizona reporter Tiffany Acosta will bring you a new story about Arizona's favorite slithering reptiles. Follow along to learn about Mojave rattlesnakes, coral snakes, whether snakes make good pets, whether it's legal to kill snakes in Arizona and more. The world of snakes is equal parts fascinating and fear-inducing. Some folks keep them as scaly companions, while others would sprint in the opposite direction at the mere hint of a slither. Love them or nope-out at first hiss, snakes are absolutely intriguing creatures. From tongue-flicking to heat-sensing, snakes have evolved some seriously cool skills. Whether you've seen one in your backyard, on a hiking trail or at a reptile show, chances are you've wondered: How do they even work without legs? Well, grab your metaphorical snake-charming flute and get ready to be charmed. Here are 10 fun facts about snakes. A snake's tongue is split, or forked, to help it "smell" its surroundings more effectively. Snakes use their tongue to collect tiny scent particles from the air or ground. When they flick their tongue, each fork picks up particles from slightly different directions. They then pull the tongue back into the mouth and insert it into their Jacobson's organ, or vomeronasal organ, in the roof of their mouth, according to A-Z This organ analyzes scent information and helps the snake figure out where smells, like prey or predators, are coming from. Snakes flick their tongues to detect scent particles in the air. The forked shape of the tongue allows them to detect which direction a scent is coming from, like a built-in GPS for smells. No, snakes cannot smell fear. They can detect chemical cues: changes in sweat, pheromones and even body heat. If a person is sweating more because they're scared, a snake might be able to pick up on that moisture or scent, but it doesn't understand it as fear. To the snake, it's just another environmental cue. Snakes can behave in ways that humans might interpret as shy. Snakes don't experience emotions like humans do, but many species are naturally reclusive and prefer to avoid confrontation or exposure. That's why they hide under rocks or in burrows and slither away when disturbed. This behavior is driven by instinct for self-preservation. If you encounter a snake and it freezes, hides or retreats, it's just trying to stay safe. Best to back away. Rattlesnakes don't lay eggs because they give birth to live young, a reproductive method called ovoviviparity. Instead of laying eggs in a nest like many other reptiles, rattlesnakes keep the eggs inside their bodies. Baby snakes develop in thin, leathery shells and are fully formed and ready to slither. The mother gives birth to them alive, and the egg casings are left behind during birth. Snakes don't have external ears like humans or many animals do, but that doesn't mean they're deaf. Instead, snakes sense sound through vibrations. They have inner ear bones connected to their jawbone, which rests on the ground. When sound waves or vibrations travel through the earth, like footsteps or rustling, the snake can feel it through its jaw and inner ear. Snakes smell with their tongues. They flick their forked tongues in and out to collect tiny chemical particles from the air or ground. It's an incredibly sensitive system, and snakes can follow scent trails with it. Looking for the ? Sign up for our newsletter. Yes, a dead snake can still bite, especially shortly after it dies. This happens because snakes have strong reflexes and their nervous system can still fire even after death. If you touch or disturb a recently killed snake, its muscles, including those in the head and jaw, may still react. In venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, this means a bite can still occur and venom can still be injected. Some snakes can glide through the air, and they're often called 'flying snakes,' though they don't technically fly like birds or bats. The most well-known are Chrysopelea species, found in Southeast Asia. These snakes can launch themselves from trees, flatten their bodies into a ribbon-like shape and glide up to 100 feet or more. Don't worry: You won't find these aerial acrobats in Arizona. Here's how flying snakes do it: They climb high into trees. Launch themselves off a branch. Flatten their bodies by spreading their ribs wide. Undulate in the air like a ribbon, adjusting direction mid-glide. Some snakes do have a kind of "heat vision." Pit vipers — such as rattlesnakes, boa constrictors and pythons — have special heat-sensing organs called pit organs. These are located between their eyes and nostrils. The pit organs detect infrared radiation, or heat, allowing the snake to 'see' warm-blooded animals like mice, even in total darkness. It's not vision in the traditional sense, but it creates a thermal image in the snake's brain, kind of like night vision goggles. This gives them a huge advantage when hunting at night. Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Follow @tiffsario on Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fascinating snake facts: Did you know some snakes can fly?
