Type of snake?

[Schlyne]

Yeah, nice pattern, but I also think it's a rattlesnake.

Time to call animal control? or whoever it is that will take the rattler's out into the desert (or someplace away from humans, since I dunno if the southern pacific even inhabits the desert) and let them go.

[Smulkin]

Rattler indeed - the nubs on the end of the tail didn't spark anything in your brain? Hope we don't catch you on the next episode of Venom ER or something. In your area I might suggest avoiding snagging snakes you can't identify.

(EDIT - on re-read that might sound harsher than I intended)

[Ironhead]

Or is it a Western Diamond back? I thought it was a Southern Pacific until I found this pic of a Western Diamond Back.

[Schlyne]

My first thought was diamondback rattlesnake. However, that is the only species of rattlesnake (other than pygmy) that I am even vaguely familar with, and I am no expert

Edit, according to animal bytes, a southern pacific is "distinguished fron the other 3 species in san diego by their black mask".

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbyt...ke.html#Photos

So I think it's a southern pacific.

[Shaun J]

its a rattler,but not sure what kind.you can tell by the way the part that is close to the rattle.it is usually black and white

[msolorz]

I knew it was a rattler by the nub on the tail but I was unsure of the type. I was thinking it was a diamond back but people tell me it's a southern pacific.

Don't worry I handled it very cautiously. Luckily for me, it has been raining and it has been too cold for it to move quickly. I used the top end of my fishing pole to pick the snake up and place it in the bag. I took it to the nearby mountain and released it. I'm not in to killing snakes; no matter what type of snake it is.

THANKS FOR POSTING THE PICS!!

[CTReptileRescue]

I took it to the nearby mountain and released it. I'm not in to killing snakes; no matter what type of snake it is.

Very nice find, and a big THANK YOU for releasing him / her safely
Rusty

[bittenonce]

IT IS A SOUTHERN PACIFIC AND HIGHLY TOXIC. I HOPE YOU SPARED IT.