ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (KGUN) — Video capturing a bobcat and rattlesnake showed how a stand-off between the two desert predators was initiated. The interaction was captured at around 5 a.m. on June 6.
The bobcat swiftly approached the rattlesnake, which appeared to be attempting to camouflage itself. The video showed the rattlesnake shaking its rattle, a defense tactic the reptile will use before striking.
Terry Campbell has surveillance cameras around her Oro Valley home, capturing various wildlife that trigger a recording. Campbell's video only captured 15 seconds, but she told KGUN 9 that one of her other cameras showed the bobcat "strolling away" just after.
"It was a 15 second video so that is it. On another camera I have the bobcat strolling away so I assume they both backed off and went their separate direction," Campbell told KGUN 9 in an email.
According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, bobcats are known predators of rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are known to strike if threatened, but bobcats aren't the reptile's typical diet.
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Reyna Preciado is a reporter for KGUN 9, she joined the KGUN 9 team in July of 2022 after graduating Arizona State University. Share your story ideas with Reyna by emailing reyna.preciado@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, or Twitter.
