Tuesday, March 25, 2014

EARLYBIRD RATTLERS...

The yearling rattlesnakes arrived early this year.  Gregg Grimaldo spotted his first back in January. The young ones were born last fall and usually have no more than a scaly "button" at the end of their tail... they don't get their first real rattle until they shed their skin. The larger snakes are now making their appearance.  We had a beautiful five-foot gopher snake show up while doing some fencing work.  He was quickly transplanted to a rocky area around the pond, with hopes he'll stick around.
Two yearling rattlers. Their colors can range from almost-black to brown an tan, but there's no doubt about their large, flat heads and small neck—and the button (or rattles) at the end of the tail.