Rattlesnake!

At 1:20 AM last night I heard a lot of banging and what sounded like furniture being slid across the floor, but no yowling. So I got up to see what was going on and found 4 or 5 kitties with poofy tails pointing at the front door. (I lock to security screen and keep the front door open at night to get some fresh air). I was still about 5 feet away from the door when I heard a rattlesnake buzz!! EEEP!. I think my tail went all poofy, too. My outside light is pretty dim so I got a flashlight and shone it through the screen. The rattlesnake was coiled up right in front of the door. I closed the door as fast as I could and crammed a towel along the bottom edge, even though the door really does fit well and there isn't any space between the door and the sill. The kitties knew it was still there because they kept sniffing at the door and backing away. Then I went to the other side of the house and hauled the rest of the cats in from the screened-in patio, and locked the cat door so they couldn't get back out. Not a popular action as far as kitties were concerned.

The snake was gone when I got up this morning but I'm still kind of freaked out because I don't know where it went. I didn't even go out to do the yard work I was planning for today. I've lived in Arizona for more than 25 years and this is only the 4th rattlesnake I've ever seen. Mostly I see king snakes around my house, which is good because they eat rattlesnakes.

I'm halfway tempted to leave my door closed tonight and turn on the a/c, even though I really don't like a/c all that much.

Oooooh I do not like snakes!  I'd be doing whatever possible to deter them from my property!  I don't even like the garden snakes too much.  Its ok if they aren't where I need to be; but not if I need to be close to them like in the garden.  

I hope that's the last you see and hear of him!  

That experience would "rattle" me, too! At least rattlesnakes give you a warning before striking, but right outside your door is a little too close!

Please send the rattlesnake (live) to me. Last night, when I came home from work, the cats were clustered near the sofa.  When will I learn that clustered cats NEVER mean anything good, and I shouldn't investigate? They were watching a live mouse.  I'm freaked out by live rodents in the house (in the walls doesn't bother me as much, though I know they are damaging stuff). Dead ones, I don't like, but I can pick them up and trash them.  Anyway, I thought to myself, "If it were a non-poisonous snake, I could pick it up and put it outside, or at least get it to curl around a broom handle." Snakes (non-poisonous) don't freak me out as much, though I certainly would NOT be happy to encounter one in my house. Ten, yes, count 'em, TEN cats, who did not earn their kibble last night! What are cats coming to these days? "When I was a a kid, Sonny (said in an old man's voice), cats were REAL cats, not like you spoiled, soft, lily-livered felines today!"

Your rattlesnake, though dangerous, could solve my mouse problem! 

Seriously, I'm so glad that you and the cats weren't harmed by the snake. You must have been terrified!

I think I'd keep the door shut, too; I'm not fond of snakes at all. Nor mice, Barbara, for that matter. 

I absolutely adore snakes, just not ones that can potentially kill me. I think they are gorgeous and fascinating. I have caught numerous non-venomous snakes and have killed a few rattlers (not fond of killing anything), but when it comes to protecting my animals and family, I will do it.

So, I know the feeling of hearing that very distinct rattle and going "Oh sh*t!" Lol.

AlyssaM said:

So, I know the feeling of hearing that very distinct rattle and going "Oh sh*t!" Lol.

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Yeah, that's pretty much what I was thinking. My worst fear was that it had somehow managed to get in the house and I just couldn't see it because the light from the bedroom didn't reach that far. I was also leery of chasing the kitties away from the door because the sudden movement might make the snake strike.

I haven't seen any sign of it since, but I'm still being extra vigilant when I go out to do the yard work.