The snake just went up there to get an apple most likely. [/attempt at humor]

My first hat I got as a kid had a rattlesnake skin band and rattles attached to it.
Hand made by my uncle who used to hunt and skin rattlers.

 
There are a few protected rattlesnakes in AZ (we have a bunch of species), but it is open season year-round with a bag limit of 4 (in possession) for the Western Diamondback and some other rattlers. The exceptions are certain wildlife and military areas.

my grandmother had a steadfast rule, (granted, we do not have rattlesnakes here)

snakes can be snakes and do snakey stuff , even slither up in the chicken coop, (those that were caught in the hen house were relocated to the corn crib a few hundred yards away)
however,, when a snake climbs a tree, and she sees it, it got kilt,

her philosophy was that any snake that could climb a tree could and would climb in the house,

and that was off limits

quote:

Originally posted by Southern Rebel:

Oh well, missing guns or missing rattlesnakes - any excuse is better than none. Can a rattlesnake swim??

Oh yes, yes they can and quite well.

Any rattlesnake that gets into my back yard is free game!! Other snakes get a free ride, but not rattlesnakes.

In the swamps and marshes you better be damn careful when passing under low hanging trees . Cottonmouths and Water Moccasins love to hang out in them .

Once one of my brothers was drifting down a lazy bayou with a overhanging tree canopy when a large water moccasin (poisionus)snake fell out of the tree falling by his feet and he instantly pick up a .22cal snubie revolver and put 6 holes in bottom of the boat and snake slithered away untouched... End of fishing day and headed back to the boat launch. Then had to have the holes repaired.. ..... drill sgt.

At least they are not drop bears.

i can't believe that no one has mentioned the three "S's"--Shoot, Shovel and Shut up.

We are hearing about rattlesnakes evolving that can’t rattle. Because rattlesnakes that rattle give their location and are being eliminated the non rattling snake lives longer to pass on the trait.

Places to Retire

California
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
Rhode Island
Utah
Washington
Washington, DC
Wyoming

You better cross Florida off that list. They have rattlesnakes, moccasins, coral snakes, & copperheads…and alligators.

quote:

Originally posted by drill sgt:
Once one of my brothers was drifting down a lazy bayou with a overhanging tree canopy when a large water moccasin (poisionus)snake fell out of the tree falling by his feet and he instantly pick up a .22cal snubie revolver and put 6 holes in bottom of the boat and snake slithered away untouched... End of fishing day and headed back to the boat launch. Then had to have the holes repaired.. ..... drill sgt.

Not to mention that he also probably had to have his undies laundered!

Our current home is located at the far southwest city limits of Pueblo, Colorado. The back fence separates us from thousands of acres of open prairie. Rattlesnakes are frequent visitors, and I find them on my patio, front porch, driveway, and in the garage at times.

My usual method of dealing with them involves a rake and garden shovel, pin them down with the rake and introduce them to the garden shovel. Three or four every year.

If handy, a weed eater works well, and a lawn mower is quite effective (if a bit messy).

Colorado law defines rattlesnakes as a protected game animal, small game license required, hunting season, bag and possession limits, accepted methods for taking (not including rakes or shovels). If charged with a violation I intend to plead not guilty and demand trial by jury. I doubt the state can empanel a jury that would convict a person of killing a damn rattlesnake within steps of his house.

PS: Never seen them in trees, but I have seen them swimming (quite well).

Rattlesnakes climb trees all the time.

I don't know how this is a surprise to anyone, in particular the so called experts cited in the original story. I've known about this for almost 50 years.

I'm more worried about them being on the side of a trail up the canyons hidden in thick grass.

I stepped on one copperhead and one water moccasin before I upgraded to snake boots while deer hunting in swamps. The copperhead was a thing, but the moccasin was a step up in its affect on my psyche. If I were to hunt deer in swamps again, I would continue with the snake boots, but would add a set of snake chaps with bite lining that reached to the top, not reaching just to the knees. With my medical conditions receiving a injection would be worse than normal, whatever that means, getting bit is not normal by any standard that I've ever heard of. In Florida as a little guy, we would cruise all sorts of snaky areas in the woods and fields, including deep ditches filled with water etc. I never saw another kid get bit, but one kid I didn't know was airlifted out one of the areas we frequented hunting crawdads and wild mosquito fish and wild guppies. Good memories. I don't recall of the kid made it or not, but being young he probably recovered. I fished a lot in Florida when I was young, and I saw some HUGE Cottonmouths UP CLOSE on a fairly regular basis. They used to steal my fish from my stringer stuck in the bank. I never fought them over the fish. I was young but I wasn't stupid. Some big alligator snappers too. I saw one once that was the size of my 10 foot john boat beam to beam. He stole all of my fish too. For some reason I'm still pissed at that snapper who took my stringer of fish. I forgave the moccasins and smaller snappers, but not that monster. Good memories.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:

...
I don't recall of the kid made it or not, but being young he probably recovered.

...

Children and those who have certain health conditions are the victims most at risk of a fatal snake bites.

A 6 year old boy in Colorado just died from a rattlesnake bite.

In addition to the story of the boy, this article contains some interesting stats and good do's and don'ts if either a human or a pet is bitten by a venomous snake.

[Note: hyperlinks found at linked website article.]

===================

Fatal rattlesnake bite of Colorado boy prompts warnings of what to do if bitten

Miles Blumhardt
Fort Collins Coloradoan

Published 7:24 AM MT July 14 2022| Updated 6:21 AM MT July 22 2022

A 6-year-old boy died as a result of a rattlesnake bite near Colorado Springs, prompting warnings about what you should and should not do if you or your pet are bitten by these venomous snakes.

The boy was bitten while at the Bluestem Prairie Open Space in Security-Widefield on July 5 and died Saturday, according to Colorado Springs TV station KRDO.

Fatal rattlesnake bites are rare. In Colorado, the most recent fatal rattlesnake bite before last week occurred in 2017 when a 31-year-old Colorado man died after being bitten near Golden.

On average, it is estimated Colorado sees about 200 rattlesnake bites per year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said nationally there are 7,000 to 8,000 people bitten by venomous snakes annually, resulting in about five deaths per year.

The recent death prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to release the below lists of what to do — and what not to do — after a rattlesnake bite, according to the HerpMed website, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and American Red Cross.

What to do if a person is bitten by a rattlesnake

• If the snake is still in the vicinity, move carefully away to a safe location.

• If you can do it safely, it can be helpful to take a photo of the snake for identification. Rattlesnakes are Colorado's only snake that does not have a sharply pointed tail. Instead it has rounded buttons. Also, the head of a rattlesnake is wider than its body, like if you make a fist your hand is wider than your wrist.

• Find a place where the victim can lie flat and rest comfortably and encourage the victim to remain calm and offer reassurance.

• If in a group, send one member to notify local emergency staff and the nearest hospital. Do not leave the victim alone in order to get help. Carry a cellphone with you while you recreate.

• Allow the bite to bleed freely for about 30 seconds and then cleanse and disinfect the bite area with Betadine (iodine) or soap and water.

• Remove all rings, watches, jewelry and tight-fitting clothing as the bite area, as most of the bitten appendage will swell.

• Immobilize the bitten extremity as much as possible, using splints if necessary.

• Try to keep the bite location even with the heart. Raising it above the heart will increase the spread of venom into the body and swelling will increase if kept below heart level.

• After administering first aid, take the victim to the nearest hospital or medical facility. If not done previously, get someone to call ahead to the nearest hospital so that it will be prepared for the victim’s arrival.


A rattlesnake coils along Sundance trail at Carter lake in this file photo. Miles Blumhardt/ Coloradoan


What not to do if a person is bitten by a rattlesnake

• Do not assume that a bite is not serious or that treatment can be delayed.

• Do not apply oral (mouth) suction to the bite. Such action has the potential to introduce harmful bacteria into the wound that could cause sepsis.

• Do not make any sort of incision into or around the bite marks. This will only increase trauma to the bite location.

• Do not apply a narrow, constrictive tourniquet such as a belt, shoelace or cord. Restricting blood flow in this manner puts the bitten extremity at a high risk for amputation.

• Do not engage in strenuous physical activity. This will only speed the spread of venom to vital organs.

• Do not apply ice, hot or cold packs to the bite. These have no proven beneficial effects and may compound tissue damage through burns or frostbite.

• Do not allow the victim to take aspirin or use any medication.

• Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink unless approved by a physician.

• Do not remove pressure dressings until antivenom is available.

• Do not waste time or take any additional risks attempting to kill or capture the offending snake.


What to do (and not) if your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake

• Move a safe distance away from the snake and calm the dog.

• Clean the wound with soap and water and treat with antibiotic ointment if available.

• A Sawyer or other venom extractor should not be used because the dog’s hair will prevent a good seal from forming.

• Limit physical exertion and get the animal to veterinary care immediately, calling ahead if possible.


What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake

• Snakes are often heard before they are seen. If you hear a rattlesnake, freeze in place until you or a companion can locate the animal. Attempting to move away from a snake you can’t see may lead you closer to it.

• Even if the snake can be seen, not moving will reduce the threat you pose to the snake and help you calmly assess the situation.

• Once you assess the situation, establish a safe distance. Rattlesnakes can strike to a distance of half their body length. A good rule of thumb is to put at least 5 feet between yourself and the snake.

• Move by slowly backing the way you came.

• Do not under any circumstances try and catch, kill, provoke or move a rattlesnake. Fully one-third of people who suffer snakebites were bitten as a result of trying to handle or kill the snake.

• Move around the rattlesnake at a safe distance.


How to avoid a rattlesnake bite

• Wear sturdy leather boots, which afford good protection for the feet and ankles that are usually in the closest proximity to rattlesnakes and account for nearly all bites.

• Watch where you place feet and hands at all times, especially around logs and rocks where rattlesnakes shelter.

• Do not recreate with headphones or ear buds as a rattlesnake usually warns if you are too close by making a rattle sound.

• Be especially aware of rattlesnakes around dusk, when snakes become active hunting and human visibility drops.

• If the snake coils up and rattles, you are too close and should move away slowly. Stepping back just a few feet can be enough to convince the snake that you are not a threat. Most rattlesnakes will not strike at people unless they feel threatened or are deliberately provoked.

Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt.

Had a moccasin climb a fence post and go into the bird house at the top. Ate all the bird eggs in it and couldn't fit back out. Had to take a sledge and knock the bird house off the post. Crack it open to put a 22LR in his head.