Rattle Snakes

JimK-NY wrote:
This whole thread just seems ridiculous and the facts match my opinion. More and more people are living in the southwest and in supposed rattlesnake country. The average number of deaths per year is about 5. That is way less than the number dying from a lightening strike. The risk is absolutely negligible when compared with the risk of death driving an RV or a car or even walking the dog. Forget rattlesnakes. Instead consider yourself lucky if you see one.

Your ignorance about rattlers is, for lack of a better term, spectacular. I guess I can understand that as you're from New York and appear to have zero actual knowledge of the Southwest.

Desert Captain wrote:
I have lived in southern Arizona for nearly 14 years, worked our local golf coourses as a marshal for 5 where encountering them, especially in the spring, was nearly a daily event {often saw half a dozen and had to move 2 or 3 a shift}. To all of you folks who have spent time in the southwest but never have seen a rattlesnake I suggest you pay a LOT more attention.

Their natural camoflage is off the charts effective. I have been in the process of carefully relocating one on the golf course and glanced away for a second. When I looked back it had virtually disappeared... but was still just a few feet away. No they do not always rattle and do not have to be coiled to strike/bite. Those myths can get you bit very easily.

If someone is struck get them directly to medical facilities ASAP. No cowboy nonsense {don't make cuts and try to suck out the venom, apply ice or a tournequet - just transport them ASAP}.

The early spring, following the first week or so of 80 degrees+ is the most dangerous time of year. They have been denned up all winter and are hungry and horney actively seeking a meal and a mate though not necessarily in that order. The point being if you see one I guarantee you there is another nearby and it's the one you don't see is going to be a problem.

As noted, please don't kill them unless they pose an immediate threat to your family or pets.

Thank you, Desert Captain. It's great to have someone who is actually knowledgable checking in on the subject.

I've only been an AZ resident for five years and only had one rattler encounter. It's one thing to meet a rattlesnake in the wild. However, it's quite another thing to encounter one on your porch, coiled and rattling at your dog.

I had my neighbor kill it as it may have set up residence under our park model (we found a couple of molted skins there).

BTW, if you don't think a decapitated rattler can bite you, ask my neighbor. Happened to him and a Phoenix firefighter last year.