Reptiles & Mammals

REPTILES and MAMMALS SIG

Chairperson - Steve Kelley

The purpose of this Special Interest Group is to educate members about the diverse group of both reptiles and mammals that are found here in Sun City, with a goal to understand how to identify different species and appreciate the role each plays in the natural environment we share. During the warmer months, live snakes will be on display at the monthly meetings to help with identification.

The SIG will also plan several meetings throughout the year, both indoors and out, to demonstrate snake safety, as well as answer questions.

A Sun City snake guide, developed by Steve Kelley and John Leek, is available to all residents free of charge, thanks to the generosity of the Nature Club and the Sun City Community Association. These guides are available at the nature Club monthly meetings and at each social center monitor's desk.

Snake Relocation -

One of the volunteer efforts that has been in place since 2007 is the independent group of individuals in Sun City called the Snake Wranglers.  Although the term is often used to identify those who "play" with snakes at various shows, the focus of these individuals is to provide free assistance to all residents who may need help with snake identification and relocation.  The volunteers are members of the Nature Club.  Over the past 16 years, they have assisted with in excess of 4000 calls. Although snakes are relocated upon request, residents are encouraged to leave harmless beneficial reptiles and amphibians where they are found, and to not kill any snakes.

There are only two known venomous reptiles that have been found and positively identified in Sun City to date (12/31/23).

Those species are the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) and the Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener).

The wranglers collect and maintain data on all calls. This information is an invaluable resource in analyzing the health of the reptile community here. For those who do not need relocation assistance, you may text or email a clear picture, address, and date to one of the individuals below, which helps to add to the ongoing record database.

We caution residents against attempting to kill or capture any venomous snake. The Snake Wranglers are always willing to assist if you request assistance, and for venomous snakes, please feel free to call even late at night. Although snakebites are extremely rare, rattlesnakes identified near a residence should be relocated for safety reasons.  The Sun City snake Wranglers do not pick up dead snakes, and do not kill any snakes which are captured.

Steve Kelley  512-639-0539

John Leek  713-825-0145

Joe Plunkett  774-226-0810

Jim Christiansen  512-868-3504

We maintain records of all snakes found in Sun City as an ongoing project. We appreciate the reporting of all species, even those “road killed” for this study. Please take a picture, record the date and address and send it to one of the snake relocators listed above.