In a suburban twist straight out of the Sonoran Desert, a retired Phoenix police detective turned neighborhood rattlesnake wrangler scooped up an extremely rare albino rattlesnake in Gold Canyon this week. The ghostly pale female appears to be a tyrosinase-positive albino and, to the surprise of everyone involved, she is also pregnant. The discovery has pulled in regional snake specialists, who now have to decide whether to keep the animal under professional care or send her back to the wild.
Phil Roberts, a longtime Gold Canyon resident who spent more than three decades with the Phoenix Police Department, captured the snake after a neighbor reported seeing a white snake in their yard, according to ABC15. Roberts has already relocated dozens of rattlesnakes for neighbors and, true to form, he posted video of this unusual catch, the station reports. Once that footage hit the internet, Bryan Hughes of Rattlesnake Solutions said the reptile community sat up and took notice.
Experts Say It Is Rare and Pregnant
Bryan Hughes told ABC15 that the snake most likely has a tyrosinase-positive form of albinism, which is vanishingly rare in wild rattlesnakes and more often seen in captive breeding and the pet trade. "I never expected to see something like this in my life," Hughes said. Albino rattlesnakes have been so uncommon in Arizona that institutions have preserved them when they do turn up; Arizona State University cared for a well-known albino Western diamondback named Hector for decades, a reminder of just how unusual a wild sighting like this is.
What Specialists Say Will Happen Next
As reported by WRAL, specialists plan to wait for the snake to shed her skin so they can run tests to confirm her exact species and genetics. After that, they will decide whether to keep her in temporary care for research or release her back into suitable desert habitat. Rattlesnake Solutions will continue looking into the discovery to determine the best plan for the pregnant female. Her pale coloration could make life in the wild a lot tougher, which is one of the key factors that will weigh into the final decision.
How Neighbors Should Respond
The Arizona Game and Fish Department notes that rattlesnakes are most active from March through October and urges residents to give any snake plenty of space, back away slowly, and call professionals rather than trying to handle or kill it, according to the agency's guidance. The department points out that most bites happen when people attempt to capture or corner a snake, and it offers clear do's and don'ts for first aid and emergency response. Concerned residents can turn to the department's online resources and educational videos for detailed safety tips.
For Gold Canyon neighbors, this unusual visitor is a vivid reminder that desert wildlife can show up right next to the patio as temperatures climb. Keep pets away, keep your distance, and contact a licensed removal service such as Rattlesnake Solutions or your local animal control if you spot a rattlesnake. This story will be updated as specialists release test results or if officials announce a long-term plan for the albino snake.
