Crotalus Horridus (Timber Rattlesnake)

[DemoTex]

Meanwhile back east, 3100 miles away, a neighbor kills this Canebrake Rattler (aka Timber) in my driveway.
Nine rattles. Dr. DemoTex is totally FREAKED!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear DemoTex!

Hells bells, man, I'm freaked too, and this is JUST a picture!

I thought that you'd seen one up close and personal in the Oregon scrub... :scared:

[DemoTex]

2. No, no ... but this is actually worse.

This is our mountain house on the NC/SC line and many family members use it. I'm worried about the little boys (8-15, or so) who love to romp those woods).

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Timber rattlers are actually quite timid and not at all aggressive.

They are the only kind of rattlers in my area (Minnesota), and bites are just about unheard of. They run away from people.

[DemoTex]

6. That observation is partially true ..

In warmer climes than Minnesota they are more active and aggressive, but not nearly so as the Eastern Diamondback. BUT, when they bite their fangs are very long and their venom lethal.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. They are a protected species here. You can't kill them at all

unless they are creating an "immediate and demonstrable threat to human life or property," and then you have to turn over the carcass to the DNR. It's also illegal to possess a dead or live one without a permit, or even to possess a skin or an article made with it. The DNR is trying to increase their population by educating people that they are not very dangerous. They are so timid and shy that there have been only 15 recorded instances of bites since 1982, and most of those involved either amateur herpetologists or young, drunk guys who were teasing the snakes.

I think these snakes are beautiful. I've never seen one in the wild, but I spend a lot of free time in the Mississippi bluffs area so maybe someday I will.

[Taverner]

10. Snakes hate loud kids - they run

Or rather, slither quickly away

[Vanje]

4. I don't like it when the story ends...

with the snake dying.

I live in snake country. Crotalis viridis is my neighbor.
Sometimes he shows up on my porch.

I use a long stick with a hook, and put Rattlesnake into an empty plastic garbage can , I keep just for that purpose. Don't worry, snake cant get out if the can is upright. If it makes you feel better, you can put a tight lid on the can without any harm to snake, as long as the can isnt standing in open sun.
When snake is in the plastic receptacle, I drive out a ways out into the wild country nearby, and release snake into an hospitable looking habitat. I wish him well, and I ask him politely to please not come back. Sometimes I share a little marijuana with him to show no hard feelings.

I hope I never live long enough to kill a snake.

[Bigmack]

5. I'm with you. nt

[tuckessee]

7. +1

I usually just let 'em go their way unless they're near "busy" areas then I do basically what you do. Mostly copperheads but occassionally a rattler.

There's no need to senselessly kill a beneficial creature. I respect rattlers for trying to give us warning before they strike.

[rustydog]

8. I usd to catch them as a kid in montana, not really knowing what I

was playing with. I loved putting them in mom's canning jars and watch her scream when she saw them.
I quit playing with snakes when I found bite marks in the web of my hand and did not even feel the bite.
My mom pointed out I was lucky it was not a rattler...Stopped from that day on.