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Frankly, I think a couple of the people taking others to task over killing poisonous
snakes around their homes are just "contrarians" trying to both irritate and to
establish (at least in their own minds) some form of "moral superiority" to the crude,
insensitive brutes who blow snakes away.
Hey, I never said anything about killing snake that were threatening people, pets, or livestock. I'd shoot or bludgeon a rattler in the same situation, myself.
The mere existence of a venomous snake is not, a priori, a threat. If I found a rattler striking at myself, another person, my dog, horse, sheep, etc. I'd kill it in a heartbeat. I know from experience that you have to almost want a rattlesnake to strike at you. They typically start to rattle when you approach within 3 or 4 feet. You can generally stop right when you hear the rattle and observe the snake indefinitely without getting it to strike. Only if you harrass the snake by getting closer, prodding it with a stick, etc. will the snake strike. The first few strikes are generally feeble at that. More of a scare tactic than anything else.
If I saw a rattler snaking across my yard, I would either:
A. Leave it alone as long as it was passing through.
B. Contact an authority for removal if it seemed to be staying too close to where I and my family frequent (or remove it myself having the experience to do so).
Let me reiterate that I am not strictly against using deadly force against any animal or person that poses a significant threat to any person or animal I wish to preserve. I am against the policy of killing every member of a species on sight out of irrational fear.
... I can totally understand the reaction of another parent, esp. a mom, to protect their child. I wouldn't hesitate to kill a venomous snake if I thought my daughter was in danger.
What if the snake wasn't venomous, but was about to bite your daughter anyway?
What if the snake wasn't venomous, but was about to bite your daughter anyway?
Probably depends on the size of the snake, Mort. I used to catch 'em when I was 7 and was bitten many times, although not by big snakes. The venom just seriously ups the ante. I'd probably be much mored concerned about a pit bull than a non-venomous snake. Unless it's one of those Burmese pythons in Fla.
honestly I dont see the big deal of killing a poisonous snake or non-poisonous snake, its just like killing fly's or ants or black widows.
Train passenger in the 1800's: "Honestly, I don't see the big deal of shooting some bison from this moving train, it's just like killing flies or ants or black widows."
A friend of mine was bitten yesterday while working on his new house.
He is aware of snakes, but this one was soo camied(camoflaged( sp) that he didn't see it..
It was about 10 feet from his youg daugher and she didn't see it..
His hand is 3x'x its normal size and is going to the ER today...
He was unable to "neutrulize" the opposition...I will be out to help him.
This time of year, dry weather etc. they are very prevevelent..
excue the spelling..
HW..keep your eyes and if your can hear watch out...
I'm very sorry to hear about your friend's injury and wish him well.
No doubt you will soon be overwhelmed by offers to "rescue" that snake and
relocate it. Please do us a favor and let us know who actually shows up to
do the deed... I think it would be very illuminating.
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Rattlesnake Thread
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