The state of Arizona is having the second warmest winter on record, which is causing some animals to come out of hibernation early.
The state of Arizona is having the second warmest winter on record, which is causing some animals to come out of hibernation early.
Creatures like scorpions, tarantulas, rattlesnakes, Gila monsters and black widows are reportedly coming out of hiding to mate and break their winter fast, months earlier than they normally become active.
Steve Greenhalgh from Arizona Pest Prevention is quoted as saying: "This could very well be kind of the mother lode of pest problems this year. We’re seeing the scorpion calls rise in a significant way. Also, there’s been a lot of calls for just the common ants and the roaches and the things that we usually see later in the year.”
Snakes are among the animals that are coming out of hibernation early, because their activity is dictated by temperature.
The Phoenix Herpetological Society has already responded to five snake removal calls, but they don’t usually start until mid March or early April.
Experts say that snakes become active when air temperatures reach 80 degrees, which they have in Arizona already this year.
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