ABC-7 Xtra: This monsoon season: rainy with a chance of rattlesnakes

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- With the monsoon comes not only increased chances of rain but increased chances of encountering rattlesnakes.

ABC-7's New Mexico Operations Manager Tom Scott joined Snake Expert Frank Bryce in the mountains east of Las Cruces to learn safety tips during rattlesnake season.

"Watch where you put your hands, where you put your feet, and where you put your seat," said Bryce. Others warn you to always watch and listen to your surroundings when outdoors.

According to Bryce, rattlesnake sightings in the desert are much more common during cooler hours of the day, as roughly 10 to 12 minutes of direct sunlight in the desert can kill a rattlesnake.

However, monsoon rains can contribute to so-called "gully washers," snakes that flush down into nearby cities.

During monsoon season, snakes will be on the move. One of the most common places Bryce encounters rattlesnakes is in homes. They have also been found high up in trees and even out at sea. He advises awareness of surroundings not only outdoors, but in residential areas as well.