The Rattlesnakes Are Coming (Alamogordo, Alamo: purchase, storage, stores)

[tsi]

Zounds, but this is hot. Caution, Steve-O, Grandmothers are deadly. But, rattlers? I have boots, but not knee-highs. in fact, tho we have copperheads and plenty of rattlers around here, I've never been stung. Not for lack of trying, I'm sure, at least when I was a kid. Today, when I see a viper, I stomp my foot. If that doesn't make her leave, I go in another direction. At this time, I'm in Penna, and snakes are about all that keep hanta virus and a variety of plagues in check.

[Hunter Wold]

I am more on the look-out for "shaky-tails" than the flu....like I don't wear a mask in Gallup/Grants/Abq...maybe I should wear those SNAKE BOOTS...HMMM

Out hear, Look, Listen. and watch out...more Black Widows etc than those shakies.....

Happy trails,

hw....

[tsi]

Hunter Wold? Jager Forest?

had a bout with the sick pig, but zinc, Vitimine C, and a clove ciggie knocked it out. Zinc kills viral infections, C works towards good health, and cloves are antibacterial, and deadly, so mind if you ever use it, even on ham

Rattlers are not a problem here, as it's still too cold for them to be out much, but copperheads can move OK. Usually, a stomp on the ground makes them split. City folks have no consept about snakes, killing even the benificials. Of course, one lady from New York was so green, she thought they were friends, and did not be lieve they were here. I guess Manhattan Island has none (or so they can wish, I've smelled them in the carefully trimmed 'wild' gardens there).

best to ye, kid,

tsi

[debra86]

How common are rattlesnakes in Cannon AFB?

[cegraham]

The OP remarked that it is about time for rattle snakes to appear. No one has noted that they have seen one this year so I thought I would mention that I saw a large rattler on my property in S NM last week. He buzzed quietly and continuously, and coiled defensively, and showed no inclination to retreat. So I watched him for a while, and walked on. I expect there will now be a number of reports of earlier sightings!

I only rarely kill rattlers that persistently hang around the house. Last year one threatened my wife when she was hanging clothes on the line. I expected it to move on, but it was there the next day, so I picked him up with a stick and carried him off a distance. No more trouble. I hope he is still eating the pack rats that plague us, and possible hanta virus carriers.

Cabelas.com has a good variety of snakeproof gear. Another defense against rattle snakes is to wear baggy pants: chances are they will strike short and not harm you. A walking staff is a useful probe.

As a zoologist I was interested to read the discussion about hearing in snakes. As a youg biologist I was taught they could only detect vibrations transmitted through the ground via their skeletal system. We know more now. I'll give a couple of Google references. There is some suggestion that snakes have a weak airborne hearing capability.

Shhh! The snake may hear you
Snakes Hear in Stereo Using Their Jaws! - Hearing is much more important for the snakes than previously thought - Softpedia

This site has a variety of information about poisonous snakes, including how to avoid them; it mentions that rattle snakes have an orifice forward of their eyes that can detect infra red and is used for detecting body heat of prey.
Snakes & Us

It is untrue that snakes use their tongue for hearing. The forked tongue samples odiferous particles from the ground, and it is then inserted into a pair of channels inside the mouth called Jacobson's organ, which is lined with taste/smell receptors.

Stay safe, and don't mistake a rattler's buzz for a cicada, as I have done a couple of times.

C

[Hunter Wold]

Have seen 2 on the 117 hwy this week...slowed down and yep they had the shaky tails....off to the side of the road.

We haven't seen one up here YET this year, but they are around...as long as they stay OUT a ways and get those mice etc.its fine with me....

But have to watch walkin and pickin up stuff...
More like a buzz then a rattle...

HW

[hopeful transplant]

They're baaaaccccckkkk....... We have seen several up here near Raton. One was a olive green color Rattler, about 2 feet long and pretty fat. I'm not sure what kind it was.. yes, was. It was by the barn, coiled up and ready to go and the guy that found it knew that they startled each other very quickly and he reacted faster than the snake. Some say it was a prairie rattler or a "hopi" rattler. I have not heard of the hopi kind,does anybody know about them? Anyway, yes they're back, oooohhhh, I hate snakes....yes sir I do. ! !

[caydriver]

I don't like to kill snakes either. But please be more understanding. I live alone, and at best, am 4 hours away from a major trauma center. Have had two rattlers on the porch and I just can't take the chance of a bite when I step outside. They are left alone if they are out in the pastures away from the house.

[todd00]

understandable most people dont love snakes as you do. do you expect everyone to feel as you do? as far as pple you meet on the street, that would depend on many factors wouldnt it. perhaps if you frequent areas known for gang activity in the early hours of the morning, you might be right. a rattler sitting on a porch isnt wagging its tail and saying pick me up, cuddle me, im lost. anything that has the capacity to injure as some snakes do, have a right to get an eek reaction in my book.

[hopeful transplant]

Well said Todd00.... from the little old lady in Raton who doesn't like snakes...