- Summary Points
- A rattlesnake gets tangled in a bicycle’s spokes in a Phoenix, Arizona garage.
- Bryce Anderson, a snake wrangler, humorously recounts the unusual encounter.
- The snake, identified as a western diamondback, was safely released back into the wild.
In a peculiar incident, a rattlesnake found itself in an awkward situation in a north Phoenix, Arizona garage. The adventurous western diamondback rattlesnake managed to get tangled in the spokes of a bicycle, creating a scene that was both amusing and unsettling.
Bryce Anderson, from Rattlesnake Solutions, was called to the scene after homeowners discovered the snake upon returning home. Anderson shared his surprise at finding the snake coiled up in the bicycle spokes, noting that while it’s not uncommon for rattlesnakes to climb, this was the first time he had encountered one entangled in a bike in such a manner.
The snake, measuring nearly 3 feet in length, was photographed giving Anderson a defiant stare through the bike’s spokes. These images, shared on Facebook on January 20, attracted a flurry of comments, with some people humorously suggesting that the rattlesnake was the best anti-theft device they had seen on a bike. The post elicited various reactions, ranging from humor to horror, with one commenter jokingly pondering if the snake was attempting to reach the bike’s pedals.
Anderson described the snake as becoming defensive when he attempted to remove it, which presented some challenges. However, he was able to safely secure the snake in a bucket after a few minutes. The rattlesnake was subsequently released into a wilderness area, away from human residences and, presumably, bicycles.
Western diamondbacks, native to Arizona, typically range from 3 to 5 feet in length, but some can grow up to 7 feet. This incident is a reminder of the unexpected encounters humans can have with wildlife, especially in areas where their habitats intersect with human dwellings.
The rattlesnake’s entanglement in the bicycle spokes, while unusual and comical, highlights the adaptability and sometimes unpredictable behavior of wildlife. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, particularly in areas known for such wildlife.