How To Figure Out What’s Lurking in Your Arizona Backyard

The building I work in is surrounded by an open desert. As a radio station, we have broadcast towers all over the property. The towers require a lot of space for safety reasons, and the desert is a good buffer.

I've lived in the desert for a long time. Even though we're not baking in hot weather yet, when creatures are moving around, I'm in the habit of looking before I take a step. You never know what could be crossing your path.

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What Are All Those Holes in My Arizona Backyard?

If you've ever wandered around Arizona, you've probably noticed there are a lot of holes in the ground. Those holes are burrows, and they can harbor a wide variety of desert creatures.

Some of the dwellings are created by the occupant; others attract squatters who move in and make the already excavated hole their own.

READ: What Kind of Snake is that in my Arizona yard?

Arizona Tarantula Holes

If you've noticed that some of the holes have a gauzy curtain of webbing in the doorway, you can bet tarantulas live there.

The gentle giants dig burrows about the size of a quarter and usually line them with silk. These arachnids generally use their burrows to stay cool and safe from predators.

Arizona Snake Holes

As you can guess, some of those burrows are snake holes. Arizona's snakes are less the do-it-yourself builders and more the lease-to-own type. Rather than dig their own burrows, snakes usually take over dens created by other animals, and they're particularly fond of homes where the previous owners were rodents or lizards.

Before you ask, yes, some of these burrows have been sublet by rattlesnakes.

Snakes need to escape the blistering Arizona heat, just like the rest of us. Whether you're a human or a canine, it's a good idea to avoid these little snake apartments.

READ: Arizona's Snakes are Waking Up: What You Need to Know

You never know when you'll find a Diamondback at home. You might irritate him and find he's not in the mood to be bothered. He's a snake, after all. Why would he want to chat with you? You don't want to knock on the wrong door and find out the hard way!

The Other Critters Digging in Your Arizona Yard

Snakes and spiders aren't the only critters digging up your backyard to make it their own. Ground squirrels and pocket mice also dig burrows.

Ground squirrels are industrious. They like to dig extensive burrow systems with multiple entrances, often near low shrubs, like the base of mesquite trees and cactus plants. Pocket mice, on the other hand, create smaller burrows with sloped entrances, perfect for quick escapes.

Most burrowing animals in Arizona aren't harmful to humans. Still, you can't always be sure who the resident is just by looking at it from the outside.

If you're into gardening or trying to maintain your landscaping, these diggers can cause damage. If you notice signs of burrowing, like mounds of dirt or visible holes around your garden or flower beds, consider contacting an expert who can relocate the wildlife away from your property.

If you prefer a natural habitat and don't mind sharing with Arizona's desert critters, as long as you leave them alone they're usually happy to return the favor.