r/arizona • u/SonoranSnakeSquad • 2d ago

Moving here Western Diamondback relocation

Safely and humanely relocated from an Oro Valley plant nursery to a desert habitat within its home range and near everything it needs to survive and thrive.

123 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

17

u/kinetic_honda 2d ago

It was so difficult to make out the snake emerging out of the bucket. That camouflaging is top notch!!

9

u/CharlesP2009 2d ago

Sssssseeeee you later 🐍

6

u/PowerBrix 2d ago

I didn’t notice it until the camera panned to it. I would have been dead by now.

5

u/Pure_Panic_6501 2d ago

“Im going! Im going!”

4

u/alionandalamb Scottsdale 1d ago

What type, and how near, of a water source is required for a good relocation site?

8

u/SonoranSnakeSquad 1d ago

Great question! For Western Diamondbacks, you generally don't need to worry about placing them near a specific water source. They are incredibly well-adapted to arid environments and typically get the hydration they need directly from their prey. The most important factor for a successful relocation is actually keeping them within their existing home range—usually within just a few hundred yards of where they were found. Moving them too far away from their 'familiar' territory makes it much harder for them to find proper shelter and hunting grounds, which drastically lowers their survival rate. Thank you for asking!

2

u/alionandalamb Scottsdale 1d ago

I appreciate your answer!

3

u/BoringJuiceBox 1d ago

Beautiful creatures!

1

u/Informal_Tell78 3h ago

I guessing its intentional to just lay the bucket on its side as opposed to dumping it?

2

u/SonoranSnakeSquad 2h ago

Great question! I use a few different methods depending on the snake's temperament. If a snake is feeling a bit 'spicy,' I’ll lay the bucket on its side to let it exit on its own. If it’s not moving, I might tilt the bucket slightly to help it slide out. Conversely, if it’s calm—perhaps early in the morning when it's still lethargic—I might use my hook to lift it out. I try to avoid 'dumping' whenever possible, as I prefer the gentlest exit method that keeps both me and the snake safe. Thank you for asking!