Observations by brandon_dietrich

Back when I was a younger guy and didn’t own a fancy store bought hook. I was actually moving this snake off the road. Didn’t have internet out here to even find or buy a hook either. Snakes used to be so abundant then. They declined fast while I was away in the Marine Corps. More people, more traffic and interaction by those that typically don’t like snakes and what drove me to become fascinated with them and wanting to understand them and their lives.

I took pictures of this snake because of its more unique look. Found close to the Mexico border sunning on a rock as the sun went down. I walked by and saw it. As I got closer it dove under a rock. I wasn’t sure what I saw at first. I’m not exactly sure where the transition actually occurs between the hooded and desert nightsnake. They haven’t even given the hooded a legit name yet. Either way, this is a nightsnake and I try to focus on the neck pattern and eye stripe. Feel free to comment on your thoughts about it. I like locality animals and it’s why I typically like isolated populations and the sky islands.

This was a massive female found on the road killed by traffic during the border wall construction efforts. I rarely see these this large in the wild anymore. It is recently dead... not bloated at all.