Rattlesnakes and other venomous species (Phoenix, Flagstaff: rental, insurance, new house)

[JustPassinThru]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Youre correct about the Mojave rattler, it is more dangerous than the western diamondbacks, but not nearly as plentiful (thank goodness). However, no rattlensnakes are aggressive, but rather defensive. The aggressor would be the one pestering the snake and throwing dirt on it. And when a rattler rattles and coils up in defensive posture, its still not being aggressive, just defensive. Alot of people get the two confused.

We encountered a mojave green on a dirt road near Bagdad, and when I revved the engine and beeped the horn, it still didn't move. And what about the heat from the motor? Anyway, threw some pebbles and it finally moved across the road, but became very indignant when I took some photos. It may have had some bad experiences with the paparazzi in the past, I dunno. The guys and gals at my local BLM office said that I couldn't have seen this snake in November, so I broke out the pictures.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

We encountered a mojave green on a dirt road near Bagdad, and when I revved the engine and beeped the horn, it still didn't move. And what about the heat from the motor?

You realize, of course, that snakes don't have ears, right?

[JustPassinThru]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

You realize, of course, that snakes don't have ears, right?

Good one. I really thought that revving the motor would get some response, but beeping the horn was more a joke than anything else. I also hollered, "Hey buddy, haven't you heard of crosswalks?", but I guess that fell on no ears also.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

We encountered a mojave green on a dirt road near Bagdad, and when I revved the engine and beeped the horn, it still didn't move. And what about the heat from the motor? Anyway, threw some pebbles and it finally moved across the road, but became very indignant when I took some photos. It may have had some bad experiences with the paparazzi in the past, I dunno. The guys and gals at my local BLM office said that I couldn't have seen this snake in November, so I broke out the pictures.

As Rick Lee stated, snakes dont have ears, so therefore wont even know if you revved up or honked the horn. They do pick up vibrations through their jaws, which kind of acts like their ears I suppose. Anyways, thanks for moving the snake, most people would purposefully swerve at it and make it roadkill. One more thing, if it was cold out (which it seems like it was if it was sitting still on the road-- sunning itself or using the stored heat in the road to warm itself), revving the engine might actually attract it since its giving off heat. Many people in AZ have found snakes in their engines, etc, as the snake will often coil up in there to get some heat.

[MotleyCrew]

Last month we had a young man bitten by a rattlesnake up in Vistancia. He was running past some bushes and it got him.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

Last month we had a young man bitten by a rattlesnake up in Vistancia. He was running past some bushes and it got him.

I remember a few years back I was up hiking Mummy Mountain, and there was a family with their 2 little girls (Im guessing about 8 years old or so) who they were letting run around at will, climbing the rocks. I couldnt believe it. Its like, seriously people, youre deep in rattlesnake country, you cant just run around at will, youre playing with fire and youre bound to get burnt. When Im out in the desert, its step-by-step, eyes constantly peeled, every bush is inspected before we pass. Its painstakingly slow, but its not time to eff around.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by esselcue

I live near-by her and work for the Sheriff's Office and I put out the media release on the incident. She was unconcious within five minutes of the bite and dead within half an hour...and it happened on her own property. So people do occasionally die from snake bite, but it is rare.

There are quite a few rattler bites each year...usually people who are mucking around with the snakes or squatting down to pee behind a bush. Very embarrasing but never fatal. The point is...in most cases if you leave the rattler alone it will leave you alone. Never pee on their heads

The clinical description of the typical rattlesnake bite victim who shows up for medical attention begins with "intoxicated male..."

[MotleyCrew]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I remember a few years back I was up hiking Mummy Mountain, and there was a family with their 2 little girls (Im guessing about 8 years old or so) who they were letting run around at will, climbing the rocks. I couldnt believe it. Its like, seriously people, youre deep in rattlesnake country, you cant just run around at will, youre playing with fire and youre bound to get burnt. When Im out in the desert, its step-by-step, eyes constantly peeled, every bush is inspected before we pass. Its painstakingly slow, but its not time to eff around.

I agree with you regarding careless people. We watch in amazement as kids here run through bushes and climb up the rocks on the walking trail. Yesterday, I saw this fellow going through the bushes looking for a .50 cent tennis ball. Gadzooks, let it go.

[esselcue]

The snake bite victims are usually young and intoxicated, or just plain dumb.

However, Steve-O and others, snakes can "hear"...with their tongues. They sense vibrations, footsteps, etc, so I would guess that a revving engine or such other noises would annoy them to a great degree.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by esselcue

The snake bite victims are usually young and intoxicated, or just plain dumb.

However, Steve-O and others, snakes can "hear"...with their tongues. They sense vibrations, footsteps, etc, so I would guess that a revving engine or such other noises would annoy them to a great degree.

They sense smell/taste with their tongues, not hearing. They pick up the vibrations through their jaws, which would, if anything, be their "ears".