Yes! That is the sound of an actual Rattlesnake you just heard.
Diamondback Rattlesnake
The western diamondback rattlesnake is by far the most widespread and
common rattlesnake in Arizona. This rattlesnake is
generally considered to be the largest species, exceeded only by its close
relative, the eastern diamondback. This common rattlesnake probably bites
more people than any other species in North America, with toxicity below
average (10-20 times less than Mojave) but venom yield among highest in rattlers.
Did you know there are seventeen "types" of rattlesnakes known in Arizona? This
is a total figure of species and subspecies found here...BRRRRR!!! My oldest dog,
Kesha was bitten by a Diamondback in the neck and mouth a few years back. She was
very lucky it didn't hit a vein or artery, still she was a very sick dog for many
days afterwards. She has since avoided anything that even remotely resembles
a snake. Smart dog!
Mojave Rattlesnake
The most venomous rattlesnake in North America is this Mojave Rattler.
(Also found spelled Mohave) The Mojaves have a neurotoxic venom
twenty times more toxic than the Western Diamondbacks making them
much more dangerous, contributing to the most fatalities in the Southwest.
Their venom is comparable to a Cobras venom. They are more in green in
color than the Western Diamondbacks, since they often sit on top of cacti
and trees, waiting to ambush birds. I've seen several Diamondbacks, and
almost walked up on a Mojave once. Not a pleasant feeling!
Roadrunner
Yes! There really is such a thing as a roadrunner. So many think it
was a made up bird just for the cartoon. Roadrunners are very large
birds, almost 2 feet long, beak to tail. Unlike many desert creatures,
it is active throughout the daytime broiling heat here. It almost always
runs where it needs to go, rather than flying, reaching speeds of up
to 15 miles per hour or more. It's one of the few creatures that actually
attack and eat rattlesnakes. It will spot a snake and drop it's wings
to appear injured or docile. When the rattler strikes out, the roadrunner
quickly leaps back, then then forward to grab it and toss it away in the air.
It then bites the snake in the head, and will proceed to beat it to death a
against any nearby rock......ewwww! Lizards, insects rodents and other birds also make
up this unusual birds diet.
Horned Lizard
The Horned Lizard, also commonly called the Horny Toad, is found throughout
Arizona. They can be anywhere from 2-7 inches, but can keep from being
snakes prey by their ability to flare their body up, making it hard for a snake
to swallow with all the "horns". Mostly the larger predatory birds, such as
hawks, eagles and roadrunners take this tiny lizard on. It's main diet is insects,
consuming up to 100 ants daily! Like a frog or toad, it flicks it's tongue out to
catch it's meals.
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