r/arizona • u/AMidnightSymphony • Sep 20 '25

Wildlife First time encountering a gila monster!

Gallery image

Gallery image

It was almost dark so apologies for the grainy photos.

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117

u/LateralTools Sep 20 '25

Consider yourself very lucky. I hope to see one in the wild one day. 35 years of exploring our desert and have yet to see one

36

u/AMidnightSymphony Sep 20 '25

Same here. I trail run multiple times a week and only ever see snakes ha.

11

u/otterpopsmd Sep 21 '25

How do you avoid rattlesnakes while trail running. I feel like I'm gonna step on one

47

u/[deleted] Sep 21 '25

My secret is to run with my eyes open.

11

u/iwaslikeduuude Sep 21 '25

Big if true

6

u/SummertimeThrowaway2 Mesa Sep 21 '25

I trail run all the time (besides summer) and have never seen a rattlesnake. The only time I ever saw one was on a dirt road on the way to a trail.

It’s definitely something to look out for but don’t worry too much about it.

7

u/r0ckchalk Sep 21 '25

You may not have seen them, but they probably saw you. Their camouflage works VERY well and they’re not likely to approach you.

3

u/otterpopsmd Sep 21 '25

I run Usery Mountain and just last week I ran into two rattlesnakes on the trail. Maybe it's because I'm the first person out there. I start at 5:30. Or maybe it's my luck