mohave green rattle snake

[raven2]

Hello all , a newbie to the forum

Have a question about rattle snakes, specifically, Mohave Green Rattle Snakes as named out here in West Antelope Valley, CA.

Recently saw a Mohave Green rattle Snake in a hole made by a ground squirrel or a mole. Most probably made by the ground squirrel because it was too large for a mole hole. There was also a back door hole about four feet from the main opening.

I covered both holes with 1/4" pea gravel to isolate the snake ,because I had to finish dressing up the motes around the small almond tress and do some weed cutting.

How long can the snake survive in this environment with the gravel covering the holes?

[infernalis]

a very long time, just remember to clear the blockage so the snake can run off and be on it's way within a few days or so.

[Terranaut]

I just wanted to say thanks for both not killing the snake and actually caring to see it survives. Awesome!!!!

[raven2]

The Mohave Green Rattle Snake in southern CA is as poisionous as a Cobra.

Usually wear snake boots in the spring & summer months in the orchard area.

Can the snake survive for like 3 months, the front and rear holes are sealed with gravel with a mound about 4" high?

[KORBIN5895]

I would guess that there is probably another hole and it will take off when it wants.

[Reptile_Reptile]

this is great lol

[Pirarucu]

I would guess that there is probably another hole and it will take off when it wants.This, LOL. I would just leave the holes unplugged and keep an eye out for it, and let it leave whenever it wants.

[possum]

....
Can the snake survive for like 3 months, the front and rear holes are sealed with gravel with a mound about 4" high?

It may...but I hope you don't do that. That's a long time... Best to just stay vigilant, because while you are feeling 'safe' there may be another one out there.

I'm probably 'twisted' but I really love Mojaves...they aren't very big but plenty scrappy! (do stay away from the 'sharp end' though)

[RandyRhoads]

Uhhh...I can come pick it up, problem solved? :D

[raven2]

Here to report that the mohave green rattle snake dug its way out of the plugged up mole or ground squirrel hole.

Yesterday, dug up the hole where it had been capured by plugging up the hole opening where I had seen it and talso he back door with pea gravel.
Totally dug up the the entire cavern and there was no rattle snake to be found.

There was a new 2" dia meter hole about two feet away that had been dug from undeground because there was no sign of any dirt around the hole opening, like a new mole or ground squirrel hole.

It took about 7 days for the mohave green rattle snake to dig its way out of the plugged up caven.

Thought that rattle snakes could not dig holes.

Well, that takes care of that myth.

[pdomensis]

You sure you didn't have a squirrel burried in there as well? I don't see your snake doing the digging, and when snakes do dig, they don't really leave a hole behind. But glad to hear it is out doing snakey things again.

[SnakeyJay]

More than likely it just pushed its way thru the gravel, or it left by a different hole before to plugged it and it was never trapped in the hole..

[KORBIN5895]

Or there has always been a third hole.

[possum]

No, rattlesnakes don't even like to push with their noses much less dig their way out. I'm in agreement with the others, a rodent dug the hole &/or there was always another hole. Rodents do extensive channels for escape, otherwise a snake easily corners them & has dinner.

[RandyRhoads]

I just imagined Elmer Fudd chasing Buggs Bunny in a rabbit hole. In one hole out the other...

[possum]

Wascully wabbit!!! LOL

[jarich]

Snakes can dig burrows just fine. My kingsnake and garter snakes both have pretty extensive networks of burrows all through their enclosures. While Im not sure it extends to rattlesnakes, Im not sure why it wouldnt necessarily.

[possum]

Snakes can dig burrows just fine. My kingsnake and garter snakes both have pretty extensive networks of burrows all through their enclosures. While Im not sure it extends to rattlesnakes, Im not sure why it wouldnt necessarily.

I know what you mean, my rosy boas dig tunnels too, but
in a cage the substrate isn't much of a challenge...not like the 'hard pan'/caliche found in the Mojave's natural habitat, which by the way, is where I lived for many years. The snakes there pretty much rely on rodents to do their digging for them...not saying some minor "re-arranging" isn't done by gopher snakes, they are quite 'pushy'. But the 'sand' in the desert is not like at the beach & most snakes are no match for it...they wouldn't have a nose left. There's a little loose sand on top, or in pockets, but mostly it's like rock.

[raven2]

All I know is another hole appeared about 3 feet from the two holes that were plug with pea gravel about a week later.
There was no dirt around the new hole opening.
Any dirt required to make the hole went into the cavern.
The mohave green rattle snake did not leave through the gravel because there was no tail tale signs.
Maybe the snake contracted with a mole to dig him out.
Agree there could have been a third hole that was part of the underground network that the snake found. These snakes spend most of their time underground, even in the summer and probably have developed earth moving techniques.

[raven2]

Also have a "rosy boa" in the area, in the wild, not in a cage

Saw this snake run down a field mouse about three weeks ago.
I saw this little mouse running at about 10-12 MPH across the bare dirt
and to the left, the rosy boa was in hot persuite. Boa caught up with the snake in an almond tree watering mote when the mouse had to slow up. The boa broke the mouses neck , farely violently, took the mouse over next to the wood picket fence in the shade and swallowed it in about ten minutes. Was watering some trees about five feet away, the snake did not seem to mind.

Question. Will the mohave green rattle snake eat the rosy boa?

[possum]

...
Question. Will the mohave green rattle snake eat the rosy boa?

Not likely, other snakes are not their intended diet...they might even share a burrow in the winter hibernation. But bites by mistake do happen...I've seen many snakes appear to wipe their face after eating & I believe it may be to remove as much rodent scent as possible, so as not to be thought of as prey by another snake who catches the scent of rodent on them? (I'd imagine natural selection would tend to eliminate those snakes that forget to "tidy up"?)