The first officer on the scene was the official "viper verifier," who arrived at the campus and identified the snake as one of the twelve species of rattlesnake found throughout Arizona. She immediately called for backup, as the critter was now giving plenty of warning to everyone to stay away, and she did not have the appropriate tools to capture the snake.

The second officer was the "snake-shiner," who expertly shined a flashlight in the viper's eyes to temporarily disorient it. Two other officers arrived a moment later.

The third officer, the "critter corraler," was the one to operate the viper bucket, equipped with a lid that screws into the bucket in a secure manner. They want no problems with detainees while they are in the patrol car.

The fourth officer, the "rattler wrangler," brought along tongs to arrest the reptile and run him out of town. The snake was not at all cooperative and first tried to beat a hasty escape, then turned on the wrangler and struck at the approaching snake tong, which grabbed him in the middle. The snake then tried to resist arrest by curling into the branches of the shrub. After a minute of struggle with the tongs caught in the shrub, the snake was pulled out of the branches and safely incarcerated in the bucket. After carefully screwing on the lid, the poor snake was escorted out of town for release.

Before the crowd dispersed, Kimble reminded them that several rattlesnake bites occur in Arizona each year. When working around the yard, or out enjoying the desert and forest, he offered the following tips to the students.

1. Wear heavy gloves and long pants when working around the yard, and be sure to remove all debris from the yard. Be alert for movement on the ground and around logs, rocks, and shady areas.

2. When hiking, avoid wearing sandals and short pants. Wear long pants and leather hiking boots that cover the ankles. Carry a first aid kit, water, and a cell phone.

3. If you decide to take an evening stroll, illuminate your path with a good flashlight.

4. Be alert for snakes, and watch for their hiding places in the shade under shrubs, on south-facing slopes, and in rocky crevices. Don't put your hands or feet anywhere that you can't see what's there. Stepping over a log or rock before looking could give you and the snake a big surprise.

5. Carry a walking stick; it can be used in an emergency to move a snake out of striking range. Don't try to hit the snake with it, just brush it out of the way if necessary. It is better to walk around the snake than to confront it.

6. When camping be sure to zip up the tent at night. Kimble told the students he once saw a Coral snake (also venomous) climbing a shed wall - on the inside of a shed at a national monument. Climbing into a tent is easy for a snake. Be sure to shake out clothing and shoes before getting into them in the morning.

7. A snake bite kit is not recommended. If bitten, seek medical assistance immediately. Don't try to cut open the bite or suck out venom. Do not restrict blood flow at all - rather, let the wound bleed. Do not apply ice to the wound either.

Article by Richard Kimble, President, Arizona EnviroZeum

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For more information contact: Richard Kimble, 928-300-3698
Arizona EnviroZeum Venomous Critter Awareness Program