Rattlesnakes can climb trees? (long)
On to the tree climbing part in a bit. But first the story. And I realize you folks from snake country will give this story a yawn and a snort.
But here goes, last week DW, 10 year old GD, my Lab, and myself. Are walking the trails at Hovenweep national monument. Had asked the ranger any snakes out. With a bored yawn, she says no. Probably is asked that question 50 times a day, by rubes, from non snake country like me.
So on the way back, from seeing the ruins, dog and I are in front by maybe 25 ft, followed by GD and DW. Dog and I pass the snake without incident, never saw it or heard it. ( and dog is on a very tight leash, as in no slack, total leash length is like 1 foot) However when GD and DW get within about 5 feet of the snake, it gives of a warning rattle. They quickly retreat.
So now, said snake, which it turns out it a faded midget rattler, which is full grown and about 2 feet long. Just sits there, about a foot off the side of the trail, looking PO.
I thought they were shy creatures who would retreat given any chance. Well not this one. So we stare at the snake and he/she, stares at us.
About five minutes go by, GD and DW refuse to move. So I make the decision to outflank the snake, by going off trail, so I can lead GD and DW out. So I start off with dog to achieve that task, dog goes 4 paws down and hits the skids. He is not going anywhere. Now he is city dog has never seen a rattlesnake in his life, so it must be a dog DNA thing.
Anyway I outflank the snake through some low brush, carry the GD out as the DW follows.
Doing some research later, Turns out the faded midget rattlesnake is 10 to 30 times more venomous, than your average rattlesnake, and will on occasion, climb brush or trees. So I should have been looking sideways as well a down.
All ended well, for both us and the snake. And although she was terrified at the time. I mentioned to GD she was pretty lucky to see a rattlesnake in the wild.
But here goes, last week DW, 10 year old GD, my Lab, and myself. Are walking the trails at Hovenweep national monument. Had asked the ranger any snakes out. With a bored yawn, she says no. Probably is asked that question 50 times a day, by rubes, from non snake country like me.
So on the way back, from seeing the ruins, dog and I are in front by maybe 25 ft, followed by GD and DW. Dog and I pass the snake without incident, never saw it or heard it. ( and dog is on a very tight leash, as in no slack, total leash length is like 1 foot) However when GD and DW get within about 5 feet of the snake, it gives of a warning rattle. They quickly retreat.
So now, said snake, which it turns out it a faded midget rattler, which is full grown and about 2 feet long. Just sits there, about a foot off the side of the trail, looking PO.
I thought they were shy creatures who would retreat given any chance. Well not this one. So we stare at the snake and he/she, stares at us.
About five minutes go by, GD and DW refuse to move. So I make the decision to outflank the snake, by going off trail, so I can lead GD and DW out. So I start off with dog to achieve that task, dog goes 4 paws down and hits the skids. He is not going anywhere. Now he is city dog has never seen a rattlesnake in his life, so it must be a dog DNA thing.
Anyway I outflank the snake through some low brush, carry the GD out as the DW follows.
Doing some research later, Turns out the faded midget rattlesnake is 10 to 30 times more venomous, than your average rattlesnake, and will on occasion, climb brush or trees. So I should have been looking sideways as well a down.
All ended well, for both us and the snake. And although she was terrified at the time. I mentioned to GD she was pretty lucky to see a rattlesnake in the wild.
