West - What venemous reptiles have you seen in US National Parks?

My wife and I are a HUGE fan of the National Parks & Monuments in the South Western and Western US states in particular - and usually try to visit some every year as part of a fly-drive holiday. So far I've done Yosemite, Death Valley, Yellowstone, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, Big Bend, Black Canyon of the Gunnsion, Rocky Mountain, Grand Canyon (North Rim) and loads of National Monuments along the way.

However, the only reptile I've seen is a Western Coachwhip lying on the road in Big Bend last year - and it slithered away as we approached in the car. I'm pretty sure I've heard a Rattler or two in Death Valley, but I have never seen or stepped on one (thankfully).

Have I just been lucky, or are they rarely sighted by tourists during the day (my visits are normally in the heat of the Summer)? To put it in perspective, I've been doing this annually for 10-14 days each year for a decade.

This August I'll be visiting Organ Pipe Catus NM, Sonoran Desert NM, Saguaro National Park and possibly anything which I find en route from SAN to PHX, keeping to the south.

Are these particularly "snakey"? What's my chances of seeing a Gila Monster?!

And what are these parks in southern Arizona like? My wife and I love to experience the heat / remoteness and amazing desert scenery you guys are lucky enough to have out there! ^

Once when hiking in Phoenix I heard (not saw) a rattlesnake. It was after dark and I put my foot down and instantly heard the rattling sound. My friend and I took off as fast as humanely possible to get away from it. However, I think that was an isolated incident as it never happened again.

Once when hiking in Phoenix I heard (not saw) a rattlesnake. It was after dark and I put my foot down and instantly heard the rattling sound. My friend and I took off as fast as humanely possible to get away from it. However, I think that was an isolated incident as it never happened again.

Yes, I can imagine I would have scarpered pretty damn quickly too in those circumstances!

Yes, I can imagine I would have scarpered pretty damn quickly too in those circumstances!

Not a National Park, but there are occasional Western Diamondback Rattlers in the hillside behind my development. One once made it's way into my next door neighbor's yard, and met it's demise from the business end of my neighbor's rake.

I've seen a Copperhead nest in Harriman State Park in New York some 40 miles north of the city.

In Organ Pipe, the Gila Monsters are mainly nocturnal, and you won't be allowed in the park at night, due to the previously discussed drug smugglers. You might run across a sidewinder.

I guess I was expecting snake sightings to be a lot more common... But I guess they like to keep out of our way, ideally, so perhaps they are much less common.

Don't like the idea of one in my back yard though... I think that makes me pleased we only have grass snakes and adders; and thankfully both are pretty rare in the UK!

You pretty much aren't going to see a cold blooded reptile out in the sun in the daytime in summer, they cna't take it. Early morning, dusk, or in more shaded areas are your best bet. In winter I've encountered rattlers sunning themselves in the hills around here in the daytime.

You pretty much aren't going to see a cold blooded reptile out in the sun in the daytime in summer, they cna't take it. Early morning, dusk, or in more shaded areas are your best bet. In winter I've encountered rattlers sunning themselves in the hills around here in the daytime.

That's interesting - and there was me thinking that being cold blooded they would bask in the sun all day long during summer. Shows how much I know.

I know I am always especially careful around the entrances to old mines when exploring, as I have read they like the shade of the tunnels in the summer months, so that makes sense with what you say.

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae229/747_kirki/Death%20Valley%202012/CIMG9335.jpg

But during the winter months, I have perhaps been stupid in being much less alert for them. In Feb I was in Death Valley and it was only circa 60 degrees, and I was much less aware of looking out for them when walking. I guess my brain just thinks hot weather = snakes, but sounds like I got that bit wrong...!

Optimum temp for cellular function is to not exceed 40C. Think about what our bodies do to cool us down if we start to exceed- sweating, blood going to skin surface to cool off, etc. Cold blooded animals cannot regulate their body tempature like that. If it gets too cold they move to the sun, too hot, to the shade or if even the shade is too hot, below ground.

In the National Parks, I've seen rattlesnakes in Big Bend, Canyonlands and Chaco Canyon - all in spring or autumn.
I have twice seen rattlesnakes on a trail within Phoenix city limits during summer.

That's interesting - and there was me thinking that being cold blooded they would bask in the sun all day long during summer. Shows how much I know.

I know I am always especially careful around the entrances to old mines when exploring, as I have read they like the shade of the tunnels in the summer months, so that makes sense with what you say.

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae229/747_kirki/Death%20Valley%202012/CIMG9335.jpg
Although watching out for snakes near old mine entrances is a good idea, in the picture you posted I can see umpteen places where snakes might hide and/or sun themselves. The ideal spot for a snake is one where it can move just a few inches to go from sun to shade but is not in plain sight. This can be anywhere from under cover on the ground to on partially shaded outcrops of rock on hillsides.

But during the winter months, I have perhaps been stupid in being much less alert for them. In Feb I was in Death Valley and it was only circa 60 degrees, and I was much less aware of looking out for them when walking. I guess my brain just thinks hot weather = snakes, but sounds like I got that bit wrong...!
A few good rules of thumb when hiking or exploring any place where snakes can be found are these:
1. Always, always, ALWAYS look where you put your hands and feet!
2. Carry a big (walking) stick in case you need to gently persuade a snake to yield right-of-way so that you can pass safely.
3. If it's warm enough for you to be out and about, it's warm enough for snakes to be out and about.

3. If it's warm enough for you to be out and about, it's warm enough for snakes to be out and about.

That sends a shiver down my spine just thinking about it. Have always wished Steve Irwin was still alive, and could take me walking in some National Parks to point out snakes, and allow me to get up close without being terrified.

That guy was a legend.

Have always wished Steve Irwin was still alive, and could take me walking in some National Parks to point out snakes, and allow me to get up close without being terrified.
I'm not sure how much help Mr. Irwin would be in US National Parks, since the only time I ever saw him look genuinely scared on camera was when he found himself amid numerous rattlesnakes covered in leaf litter in a forest in, if I recall correctly, Virginia.
A couple of episodes of The Crocodile Hunter chronicled Mr. Irwin's visits to the USA and his experiences with our native reptiles.