Natural Resources keeps eye on Kirtland's wildlife Published Aug. 7, 2015 By Rebekah Molloy Nucleus writer KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The ominous rattling sound of the Western diamondback rattlesnake slowly died down as it flicked out its tongue and tasted the air in its new surroundings. The reptile was relocated Friday by Dustin Akins, Kirtland's Natural Resources manager. Natural Resources monitors and manages the base's wildlife. "It's our responsibility to effectively manage resources," Akins said, "including animals and plants. We make sure they don't impact the mission and that the mission doesn't impact them negatively." Part of managing resources means relocating poisonous snakes, such as the diamondback. The nearly 3-foot-long snake was found Tuesday west of the Manzano Mountains at the Starfire Optical Range, a little too close for comfort. Akins released the snake beneath a juniper tree about a half-mile from the optical range. He explained that snakes don't survive well when taken too far from their home. "We've had no returns yet," Akins said. Released snakes' rattles are marked for tracking purposes. "The more we keep track of animal data, the better it is for the species and also the better for Kirtland as a whole," he said. There are about 20,000 undeveloped acres and five habitats on the base: desert-steppe, grassland, riparian, piñon-juniper and ponderosa pine, in order of increasing elevation. So rattlesnakes are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the animals one might encounter, Akins said. Mountain lions and black bears, which can be found in piñon-juniper and ponderosa pine habitats along the eastern part of the base, reign at the top of the food chain, he said. "We've collared five mountain lions, two males and three females," Akins said. Though the mountain lion is a common predator here, one is more likely to see a curious coyote. Coyotes feed on prairie dogs and cottontail rabbits, which Kirtland has in abundance, according to Akins. The base is also home to badgers, ringtail skunks, gophers and grey foxes. Anyone who lives on base is probably aware of many of the infamous insects, such as cockroaches. Cockroaches are detritivores. They break down old material and return nutrients back into the soil, "kind of like an earthworm," Akins said. Desert tarantulas and desert scorpions are two other notorious critters that can be observed sunning themselves on base. A variety of raptors -- such as Cooper's hawks, red-tail hawks, kestrels and a variety of owls -- patrol the skies above Kirtland. "People get a kick out of seeing great-horned owls," Akins said. Those birds can have a five-and-a-half-foot wingspan. While Natural Resources watches for animals in distress and potentially dangerous animals like Friday's relocated diamondback, Akins encouraged Team Kirtland to keep its eyes out for Kirtland's amazing wildlife. If you're out during a cooler part of the day, you might glimpse a black-chinned, broad-tailed or rufous hummingbird, Akins said. And, he added, the hummingbirds fly in from South America just for the summer.