How many Sedona Police does it take to capture an alarmed rattlesnake? After an incident last week, we now know the answer is four.
Arizona EnviroZeum President Rich Kimble spotted a small (< 1m) Western Diamondback rattlesnake on the main patio of the local college campus as he was leaving his lab around 9:30 PM. In the Desert Southwest, rattlesnakes are active, especially at night, in warmer months.
When the temperature begins to drop after sunset, the evening hours are the feeding time for many creatures, including rattlesnakes. So it was no surprise to Rich to spot one soaking up some heat from the concrete. When illuminated by a flashlight (from a safe distance), the snake immediately started rattling its familiar warning and then slithered under a Manzanita bush that was overhanging the sidewalk where it could easily strike students walking by.
Kimble used the opportunity to tell the growing crowd of students that even baby rattlesnakes are capable of biting and pumping venom from the first day of life, and can strike up to one-half of their body length. Rattles don't appear until the youngster has molted its skin several times, usually after three or four months. This one was no baby, as it was about 3 feet in length, about half of the snakes future adult length.
Rich emphasized that rattlesnakes don't always warn with rattling before striking, but that most bites occur when people are trying to capture, harass or kill a snake. When one student suggested killing it, he pointed out that they keep the rodent population under control. Although bites are rarely fatal to people, the bites are very painful and cause destructive effects on flesh. He said that even a dead snake can strike and pump venom a few hours after it dies.
A student pointed out the flat, triangular head peeking out from under the bush within inches of where people's feet walk by all day long, so Kimble called the Sedona Police to take it into custody.
They sent in the Four Viperteers.
