Yep, it’s that time of year…the fall cold fronts have triggered the snakes to head for hibernacula staging areas, and that sometimes means prairie rattlesnakes that have gone unnoticed all summer have traversed through yards and been at higher risk of encountering people. Not their fault and they’re not interested in staying there, but does mean the people wise enough to ask for help and not try and take risky chances doing obscene acts to the wildlife are calling me a little more frequently. This young male was very fired up but as usual avoidied trying to to bite despite the display, and is now hopefully well away from the houses while still in the territory he’s familiar with.

#crotalus #crotausviridis #prairierattlesnake #rattlesnake #pitviper #snake #venomous #relocation #reptiles #animals #wildlife #respectwildlife #snakesarefriends #nature #backyardwildlife #educational #carltoncarnivores

Baby rescue tonight: juvenile prairie rattlesnake, moved away from houses so that hopefully it grows up without encountering people.
A video about this was shared in a neighborhood group to encourage awareness and wise responses…and I was unfortunately immediately reminded why I despise humanity, because the first comment made was about how the person was going to kill them rather than do anything smart like clean up their yard, teach their kids/train their animals so that all future conflicts might be mitigated, or, you know, call the guy that shared the relocation video they commented on…and upon being told how disrespectful that response was and how killing a snake does nothing more than justify it defending itself with its only weapon and show cowardice in violence, I was the one labeled a loose cannon rather than the guy who actually commented about committing an action resulting in harm.
Snakes are a window to who people really are, whether they love or fear them. Because fear can still coexist with responsible behaviors and respect of life, but harming a snake cannot.
#crotalus #crotausviridis #rattlesnake #snake #reptiles #animals #wildlife #nature #respectwildlife #educational #venting #carltoncarnivores

shedding blues

#crotalus #squamata #snakes #reptiles

#crotalus #snakes #squamata

Aruba baby

#crotalus #snake #reptiles #squamata

#squamata #snakes #crotalus #rattlesnake

I've been watching Project Rattlecam, both cameras in Colorado and California. Today a baby Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) coiled in California, and he had pretty golden eyes. So I drew him.
#snake #rattleCam #crotalus #drawing #art