Rattlesnakes!
- Thread starter Sérgio
- Start date
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
I used to hunt these bad boys every weekend and sell the skins to guys who used them for belts and wallets and such.
I had one strike my leg one day and his teeth got stuck in my pants. I almost shot myself in the leg before I decided to
step on his tail and jerk my leg free. He was then quickly dispatched...
And for those conservationist members...I did not kill solely for the skin, I ate the meat as well...
I never ran into a pit of them like that...I wish I would have though...my biggest was over 6' and had 18 buttons on the rattle.
...oh, and I used to wear an earring made from a very large fang!
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
It tastes pretty good, not a huge strong flavor...similar to alligator or frog legs with a texture kind of flaky nearly like fish...
I like snakes. I used to have a black rat snake as a pet. It was a very cool animal...once it got used to you! They can be mildly ggressive. Even though they are constrictors, they will strike if threatened or provoked.
I've never even run across a venomous snake, however. I've only seen rattlesnakes in zoos.
I've never even run across a venomous snake, however. I've only seen rattlesnakes in zoos.
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Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
I used to be lucky to bag 3 or 4 a day...I would have been ecstatic to run into a den like that video...
...but that chick out there in shorts messing with them was just pure stupidity!
Walks Backward
Well-Known Member
I shoot on sight ANY snakes I see. Species means nothing. I taka dow all VC! .....er, um snakes. Yeah, them too.
This is just like the black rat snake I used to have.
The one I had was relatively small...only about four feet. But, you had to approach it just right or it would strike and draw blood!
I could easily have another. They aren't that hard to care for. You do have to buy the right equipment up front, though, and get a large enough enclosure. Regular cleaning of the enclosure is important, too.
I've since disposed of all my gear, so maybe it would be a little difficult to get another rat or corn snake.
The biggest trick is food. If you can find a source for frozen rats, that's a plus. There used to be a place near me. You do have to be sure to completely thaw the rat or mouse and bring it up to room temperature or above.
It's a falsehood that snakes need live prey. My rat snake readily consumed thawed-out frozen rats.
Come to think of it, I also used to have a snake called a Chinese rat snake. The name is a misnomer. Their body shape and coloration is very much like an American red rat snake. But, it does not eat rodents; it actually consumes fish. I would feed it goldfish in it's water dish. I got it from a local pet store and I had it for several years. They are actually rather small and extremely docile. They don't get any larger than a small garter snake.
The one I had was relatively small...only about four feet. But, you had to approach it just right or it would strike and draw blood!
I could easily have another. They aren't that hard to care for. You do have to buy the right equipment up front, though, and get a large enough enclosure. Regular cleaning of the enclosure is important, too.
I've since disposed of all my gear, so maybe it would be a little difficult to get another rat or corn snake.
The biggest trick is food. If you can find a source for frozen rats, that's a plus. There used to be a place near me. You do have to be sure to completely thaw the rat or mouse and bring it up to room temperature or above.
It's a falsehood that snakes need live prey. My rat snake readily consumed thawed-out frozen rats.
Come to think of it, I also used to have a snake called a Chinese rat snake. The name is a misnomer. Their body shape and coloration is very much like an American red rat snake. But, it does not eat rodents; it actually consumes fish. I would feed it goldfish in it's water dish. I got it from a local pet store and I had it for several years. They are actually rather small and extremely docile. They don't get any larger than a small garter snake.
Walks Backward
Well-Known Member
Here I got copperheads that sneak around and are silent slithering little stinkin snakes. .. And Cottonmouth water moccasins ... until I but a cap in their sneaky little snakey butts! Or heads. Whatever. I fill em full of lead!
OP
Sérgio
Ambassador of CaliZilian Affairs
Are those very poisonous? I don't understand some of those names.
Walks Backward
Well-Known Member
Yup! Both are and Cottonmouths are deadly and Aggressive!
Well, to a snake, anything except hunting is done for self-defense!
But, they all have unique temperaments. The (misnamed) Chinese rat snake I had never attempted to strike. Like I said, it was extremely docile...almost friendly! I could pick it up, move it...whatever...and it never attempted a strike. They like water a lot, so I had to get it an extra large water dish as it would spend a lot of time just lounging in the water. I cleaned it's water dish daily.
The black rat snake, on the other hand, would not hesitate to strike if it felt threatened. I learned that I had to approach it confidently, but not aggressively. For example, when cleaning it's enclosure, I would make no sudden movements, but I would gently slide my hand under its midsection and gently lift it straight upward. Then, I would place it in a temporary holding pen as I cleaned its enclosure.
Approaching it from the front was a mistake. It saw this as aggression and would rear back and strike. Snakes fear movements toward their heads, so gently lifting from the midsection seemed to work well.
I've also played with numerous Garter Snakes as a kid. I never had one of those attempt a strike. We also have these little DeKay's snakes (full-grown only 10- 20 inches) that show up in my wife's flower garden. They are incredibly timid, yet beneficial, little guys that consume grubs and other pesky insects.
On the other hand, we have this snake called a "brown water snake" or "false moccasin." That bugger is downright frightening! It is non-venomous, but is very aggressive and will readily strike. You WILL think it's poisonous based on its behaviour and looks! It has long, sharp teeth for catching fish and will leave a nasty, painful wound if it snags you.
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Both Copperheads and Cottonmouths (also called, "Water Moccasins") are venomous. Copperheads are not normally as deadly to healthy, full-grown adults as are cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. Cottonmouths hang around water a lot and are able swimmers, so they can be a danger to fishermen.
However, none of them are to be underestimated. Cottonmouths can be more aggressive than some rattlesnakes. Copperheads are uniquely dangerous as they can blend into dead leaves and be almost invisible. By the time you seen them, it can be too late!
BTW, copperheads and cottonmouths are mostly indigenous to the mid to southern United States. In Brazil, you have some more dangerous snakes to fear, such as the Fer-De-Lance (or Jararaca). Copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes are all pit-vipers. But the Fer-de-Lance is considered by many to be the most dangerous pit-viper.
But, @Alex_SG , in Australia, has the most fearsome of all. They have the benignly-named brown snake. That snake is considered by many to be the most venomous in the world.
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Walks Backward
Well-Known Member
I like to aim at their pointy heads!
Smitty, I got a fierce hate against all snakes, scorpions, and creepy crawly things. I shoot, whack, smack, or stomp on em all! And I've got a bud up in Montana that's a full fledged herper that has gobs of snakes, evil bugs and crap. He knows I can't stand em. So we just don't discuss it....
Smitty, I got a fierce hate against all snakes, scorpions, and creepy crawly things. I shoot, whack, smack, or stomp on em all! And I've got a bud up in Montana that's a full fledged herper that has gobs of snakes, evil bugs and crap. He knows I can't stand em. So we just don't discuss it....