Vanity Help identify this snake found in my bedroom! Please!!

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

light brown/grey snake, no obviously pointed head, skinny about 10-12 inches long, looks like a baby

how can i identify this quickly before I figure out what to do with it.

[Teacher317]

New Mexico Rock Rattlesnake:

Breeding 2-8 young, 6 3/4 - 8 3/4" (17-22 cm) long, are born July to August.

Habitat Chiefly rocky mountainous areas; talus slopes, gorges, rimrock, limestone outcrops, rocky streambeds; 1,500-9,600' (450-2,900 m).

Range Se. Arizona, wc. and se. New Mexico southeast to Jalisco, and through the Trans-Pecos region to sc. Texas.

Discussion May be observed during the day sunning itself among rocks. Feeds on lizards, small snakes, and small newborn rodents. Record longevity is 23 years.

[Chad Fairbanks]

One of the most spectacular of native US rattlesnakes, the Banded Rock Rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus klauberi, has been a popular species among private and zoological collections. Found in some of the most difficult terrain, the klauberi is sheltered from the collection method of road cruising which will only yield its nominate race the Crotalus lepidus lepidus.

Restricted in most part to a life in the high mountain slopes, these animals enjoy basking in the early morning hours of the spring, summer and fall. Their range in the US is isolated to small mountain "islands" from southwest Texas, throughout southern New Mexico and into southeastern Arizona. In the wild the primary prey is sceloporus and small mice, however, in captivity they will do very well on mice.

Most females in the wild produce litters of 1 to 5 offspring during the months of June, July, August and September. On rare occasions births before and after these months have occured. In captivity the births still coincide with the wild cycle.

Klauberi enjoy a "hibernation" period of at least three months, and in some areas for 5 months due to the high elevation. Breeding usually occurs during the months of August, September, October and November and yes, some action is witnessed during the spring months as well. Whether or not these copulations result in viable offspring for the following year or the same season is still a big mystery to those of us working with them.

The variation in color between mountain ranges can be extraordinary, from the silver and black of the Franklin mountains to the extremely mottled color of Chiricahua animals. Each show a remarkable resemblance to the habitat that surrounds them. (Except Franklin's, there's not much silver in the rocks, but it alludes to the fact that they spend much of the summer months moving well after dark, unlike other localities). Some specimens with lichen green stripes, purples, blues, lavenders, pinks and greys, are next to impossible to recognize in suitable terrain without the alarming buzz they sound off.

[libravoter]

more calming pictures of fuzzy animals would not be inappropriate at this time.

[GummyIII]

Good info on "your" snake. You really should be wary, since the mother could have come in to have her babies.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Why don't we all just go to her house, and jump out from behind things and scare her all night long that way instead?? ;0)

[Teacher317]

LOL.. What, a full brood of 2 1/2 foot long (and rather thick) rattlesnakes isn't cuddly?

(Sorry, Sunflower)

[GummyIII]

Take our silly string? LOL!!

[Teacher317]

Aw, geez, it's even a LIBERAL snake!!!

"This species is one of the few rattlesnakes which demonstrates sexual dimorphism."

[Chad Fairbanks]

I think we need to be supportive in this time of need... Maybe we should ask her if she has someone to stay with - have the house checked out in the morning... that would be MY recommendation... :0)

[Teacher317]

"Rattlesnakes are live-bearers that protect their young when born."

A few sleepless nights for our Sunflower girl.

[GummyIII]

Yep...grin...I saw that.... She shoulda shot it.

[GummyIII]

Yep, it really is serious, and I would be and am concerned. I hope the animal control folks give some support!

[libravoter]

Do you know what's really embarrassing?

I'm on Cape Cod right now. Which, as I learned at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, has no poisonous snakes. I'm more likely to get bit by a rabid coyote.

Yet I still just know that I won't let my feet dangle off the bed tonight!

I swear to god other than snakes and sharks, I'm one tough a**-kicking woman.

[Teacher317]

Sexual dimorphism (Biol.), the condition of having one of the sexes existing in two forms, or varieties, differing in color, size, etc., as in many species of butterflies which have two kinds of females.

"Sunflower's rattlesnake has Two Mommies"? Nah, it just doesn't have the same zing as "Heather".

[libravoter]

Aw, geez, it's even a LIBERAL snake!!!

I could make a really nasty joke about breeding right now.

[Chad Fairbanks]

has no poisonous snakes

What about Ted? ;0)

[Teacher317]

Well, it IS time to take advantage of that easy title, and Sweet_Sunflower29 needs a smile right about now.

[libravoter]

Whoa nelly! That's the Vinyard you're talking about (well, at least that's where Ted kills, er, keeps his women. I remain in denial about Hyannis.)

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Yes, game and fish officials removed it from the house using a hooked stick with a loop of rope on the end and put the snake in a small cage-type contraption.

I was told I would be notified tomorrow by someone experienced in doing the property check, to arrange for that to be done.

I'm still not sure how the snake got in the house to begin with, my home is not near the foothills of the mountains, where I'd think this was a more common event. {God forbid!}

[libravoter]

Please! You should have seen how many times I rewrote the post when I was asking her to check in.

"Let us know when you've got it well in hand" didn't sound right. So I tried "I want to know you've taken proper precautions" and it just sounded dirty.

I guess I'm just glad she's finally had her way in the bedroom.