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Reptile Encounters: 2025

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#202 ·
Gonna have to start earlier now that real heat seems to have actually arrived. Aside from my own survival, the critters were already hiding from the sun it seemed. Except for a few lizards.

Nice spiny spotting, followed by a rather huge zebra-tailed lizard that looks like it could use a hand with shedding.

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#203 ·
Not too shabby today. Despite being out way earlier, it was already starting to get roasty, but that didn't stop this db from being out and about. Caught it as just the tail still sticking out as it was crossing the trail, and my approach definitely got its attention as it rattled like crazy once it was off into the brush.

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Then had this little chuck trying to hide as I passed by.
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And lastly, another DB that was laying across the trail as I came around a blind turn:
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#204 ·
It's been an incredibly slow snake year for me. I've only seen two small gopher snakes and the tail of what was probably a larger gopher snake. No rattlers at all.

I have been seeing lots of road runners, so maybe it's their year.
 
Discussion starter · #205 ·
jannmayer said:
It's been an incredibly slow snake year for me. I've only seen two small gopher snakes and the tail of what was probably a larger gopher snake. No rattlers at all.

I have been seeing lots of road runners, so maybe it's their year.
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Well thats why youre not seeing any snakes! I was wondering about that, know we know why.
 
#206 ·
jannmayer said:
It's been an incredibly slow snake year for me. I've only seen two small gopher snakes and the tail of what was probably a larger gopher snake. No rattlers at all.

I have been seeing lots of road runners, so maybe it's their year.
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Similar for me. Mostly coachwhips. Only 2 rattlers so far. There were periods last year where I felt like I saw one every ride.

Side note: I watched a roadrunner just destroy a young dove in our courtyard last week. That dove had no chance. The roadrunner had no trouble getting in from our roof but I had to open the door for it to get out or there’d been two dead birds in the courtyard as it rammed itself into the glass a few times before I could get out there.
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#207 ·
Az2Au said:
Similar for me. Mostly coachwhips. Only 2 rattlers so far. There were periods last year where I felt like I saw one every ride.

Side note: I watched a roadrunner just destroy a young dove in our courtyard last week. That dove had no chance. The roadrunner had no trouble getting in from our roof but I had to open the door for it to get out or there’d been two dead birds in the courtyard as it rammed itself into the glass a few times before I could get out there.
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I didn't know they went for birds too!

I saw one in the parking lot at work carrying his lizard breakfast, and I see one on most rides. Neat birds.
 
#208 ·
That's pretty crazy, I had no idea Roadrunners preyed on other birds!!
Az2Au said:
Similar for me. Mostly coachwhips. Only 2 rattlers so far. There were periods last year where I felt like I saw one every ride.

Side note: I watched a roadrunner just destroy a young dove in our courtyard last week. That dove had no chance. The roadrunner had no trouble getting in from our roof but I had to open the door for it to get out or there’d been two dead birds in the courtyard as it rammed itself into the glass a few times before I could get out there.
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Discussion starter · #209 ·
jannmayer said:
I didn't know they went for birds too!

I saw one in the parking lot at work carrying his lizard breakfast, and I see one on most rides. Neat birds.
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Yep, they are one of Mother Nature's true terrors. If it moves, crawls, flies, slithers, or hops, it's dinner time.
 
#210 ·
Sssnake said:
jannmayer said:
I didn't know they went for birds too!

I saw one in the parking lot at work carrying his lizard breakfast, and I see one on most rides. Neat birds.
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Yep, they are one of Mother Nature's true terrors. If it moves, crawls, flies, slithers, or hops, it's dinner time.
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Yep. Basically dinosaurs from what I understand. I’ve seen them kill many lizards and snakes. This was the first time I have seen them kill a bird but I knew they would.

Honestly, I assumed they were going for the Couch’s Spadefoot toads we have show up at any sign of rain. If it rains and it isn’t cold there is a 100% chance I can walk out to my courtyard and find one. Really cool as we can go months without rain and then I usually see 3-4 if rains any significant amount. Then they are gone again within 24 hours of the rain ending. Between them, occasional tarantulas, scorpions and several different bird species out courtyard is quite the ecosystem. Before I put the door sweep in I would also get an occasional king snake. Nature is cool.

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Discussion starter · #211 ·
Az2Au said:
Yep. Basically dinosaurs from what I understand. I’ve seen them kill many lizards and snakes. This was the first time I have seen them kill a bird but I knew they would.

Honestly, I assumed they were going for the Couch’s Spadefoot toads we have show up at any sign of rain. If it rains and it isn’t cold there is a 100% chance I can walk out to my courtyard and find one. Really cool as we can go months without rain and then I usually see 3-4 if rains any significant amount. Then they are gone again within 24 hours of the rain ending. Between them, occasional tarantulas, scorpions and several different bird species out courtyard is quite the ecosystem. Before I put the door sweep in I would also get an occasional king snake. Nature is cool.

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Now that is super cool. Youre lucky you have that. I have a friend who lives next to a golf course in Marana. When it rains, those big ol Sonoran toads come out to play.
 
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