Unlocking the Secret to Finding Snakes in the Arizona Desert

Jaren Martineau and his friends search for creatures that give people nightmares. These creatures, much like bad dreams, are predominantly seen at night.

GILA COUNTY, Ariz. — At 7:34 p.m. on a Saturday, we arrived at a concealed location in Gila County. A dirt parking lot encircled by rocky hills set the scene.

Martineau is protective of this secluded desert road. He aims to prevent it from becoming overrun by crowds or exploited by reptile poachers.

Joining Martineau are two of his childhood friends. Jason Tenney, notably, is dressed in shorts and flip-flops—unusual attire for their mission.

The four of us hopped into Tenney’s truck, cruising down the road as darkness fell over the desert.

We were looking for creatures that give people nightmares. And like bad dreams, they are most common at night.

“We are herping right now,” Tenney said.

Herping, or searching for reptiles and amphibians, is an activity best suited for night owls.

Martineau and his friends refer to themselves as “herpers.” They go herping any chance they get, weather and family permitting.

Martineau, a lawyer by day, has been herping since childhood, starting with lizards.

“As I got older, I wanted more than just lizards. I wanted some snakes, but of course, mom was not going to have any of that,” he said.

Upon turning 18, Martineau got his first car and newfound freedom. He read reptile guidebooks to find the best methods for locating snakes.

“Definitely during the summer monsoon, nighttime is probably the easiest way to find most reptiles and amphibians,” Martineau said.

That night, the first herp we spotted appeared to be a stick in the road but was actually a baby Mohave rattlesnake.

“This time of year is when the babies are born,” Martineau said, using a pink snake hook to guide the rattlesnake off the road.

Snakes on the pavement risk getting squished, which Martineau calls “dead on the roadway” or DOR.

In Martineau’s Facebook group’s annual monsoon herping challenge, dead snakes don’t earn points.

The group, “ARIZONA Reptiles and Amphibians – Herping, Community, Observations,” has 2,600 members. They share finds and seek help with identifications.

“Some of the other Facebook groups were less friendly to newcomers, so I started mine to ease people into the hobby,” Martineau said.

He also runs a YouTube channel, “Sonoran Herping Adventures,” documenting trips and sharing tips.

Saturday night’s herping was fruitful. Less than a mile away, we found a Sonoran gopher snake in the road.

As we approached, another set of headlights appeared. Tenney picked up the snake, and Martineau assured the passerby that everything was fine.

The Sonoran gopher snake Tenney held was around 2 feet long, although they can grow up to 7 feet.

“They eat a lot of rodents,” Martineau said.

The second gopher snake we found had a healing wound. It refused water and slithered into the brush, uninterested in us.

None of the herps wanted anything to do with humans. “Most snakes will remain motionless or try to escape if they see you,” Martineau explained.

Continuing our drive, Tenney suddenly braked. “That’s a banded gecko or something,” he said. We missed it.

Further down, Martineau mistook a root for a snake. But later, we encountered an Arizona black rattlesnake.

Venomous and potentially deadly, these rattlesnakes command respect. Martineau keeps his distance.

“I think this is one of the more beautiful rattlesnakes we have,” Martineau said.

Our three-and-a-half-hour excursion yielded five rattlesnake species, two Sonoran gopher snakes, a Sonoran desert toad, two skunks, a coyote pup, and a tarantula.

Herping is a simple yet fascinating hobby. Necessary conditions include the right road and temperatures, typically 75 to 85 degrees.

Spring and monsoon seasons are ideal for herping. Go at night, preferably without moonlight, as snakes feel safer.

Drive slowly and legally. Martineau emphasizes caution. “Use a bright flashlight and watch where you step and place your hands,” he advised.

Especially if you choose to wear flip-flops.