Desert Captain
Tucson
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Joined: 02/19/2011
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Here in the high Sonoran desert of Arizona (like much of the rest of the country), spring has sprung and rattlesnake season is upon us. We have had a number of 80+ degrees days strung together and that is all that it takes to get the rattlers out of their winter dens. My bride saw her first this morning. Keep in mind that this is the most dangerous time of year for encountering rattlesnakes. They have been denned up all winter and are now out actively seeking a meal and a mate, though not necessarily in that order. I worked on the local golf courses here for the last five years and every spring I would have to deal with 2 or 3 snakes a shift.
Now if bitten by a snake you saw you are probably an idiot but..... this time of year you can almost bet the rent that if you see a snake there is another very nearby. The snake you don't see is the one that will get you. This is the only time of year I have ever seen them aggressive enough to actually give chase, particularly if your are messing with a potential mate. The golden rule in snake country is never put your hands or feet where you cannot see and trust me it is rule you can live with.
Aside from the devastating physical damage a rattlesnake bite will cause hang onto your socks when you find out what the anti venom costs and not every insurance company covers this medical procedure. The anti venom goes for something north of $500 a vial and a couple of dozen injections (or more), is not unusual for a moderate to severe bite. Unless you love rats please don't kill a snake that crosses your path. They provide a very necessary link in the food chain but obviously the safety of loved ones and pets has to take priority. Just be safe by being careful and aware. 
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JayWalker2009
I'm not really a
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Thank goodness I don't live in rattlesnake country.
I have such a phobia of snakes lord knows how much I'd freak out encountering one of these suckers.
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Dennis M M
Geneva, IL; Tucson, AZ
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Good advice Cap'tn. Here on the west side of the Tucson Mountains there has been one rattler in the campground and a few seen out in Tucson Mountain Park.
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bondebond
Searcy, AR
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Growing up in the south, I was quite aware of venomous snakes - quite a few species where I was.
Then I moved to northern Wisconsin for 9 years and spent a great deal of outdoor time in northern Minnesota. It was very nice getting out, knowing that there were no venomous snakes found north of the Twin Cities. I would go places that I would never have into if I were elsewhere. I quit worrying about after a while.
Now, I'm back in the south. Time to pay attention to that again.
Thanks for the reminder.
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RVUSA
Orlando, FL, USA
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Joined: 01/04/2005
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And the babies pack even more venom than the big monsters.
We used to ride on the hood of the car in spring so we could sneak up on them while they were trying to warm up in the road. We would bolt off of the hood and snatch them behind the head and stuff them in a sack before they knew what hit them. The serpentarium would buy them for the venom. 15 year old morons. 
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steelpony5555
Copperas Cove Texas
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Whaaaat?? A snake will chase you????  No,, say it ain't so.... Lots of snake experts will tell they won't chase you.... Evidently they have not run across the PO'ed Moccasins and Rattlers that I have in the years past. You surprise one or get too close there are some that will see if they can out slither you....
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Alpenliter
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This one was near the entrance of The White Tank Mountains Municipal Park a couple of weeks ago. Ranger shooed him off the highway with an umbrella!
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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The best thing any dog owner can do for their pet if you live in an active rattlesnake area, or visit in such a area is to...
Vaccinate the dog with the Rattlesnake Venom Vaccine, available at your veterinarian, a series of 2 shots for around $60.00 total.
25% of all dogs bit by a venomous snake die, others have permanent scars and wounds...usually on the face.
It works best for the Western Diamond Back and most rattlesnakes and copperheads since most pit vipers venom types are very close.
Mainly it is useful by giving you time to get to a vet...which is considered necessary. It will not work with the Mojave Rattlesnake, Cottonmouth or Coral Snake!
Generally vets only reccommend it if you are in a heavy snake area, or hike extensively in rattlesnake country.
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
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conmoto
Northern Illinois
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What does this errr mean? We saw that very snake (or relative) as we were driving to the White Tank Mountain park. Kinda got our attention 
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crosscheck
Coldstream, BC
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Hey there Desert Captain,
We just cornered an illegal alien from Arizona. I thought we had tightened up our southern border. We live 3 hours north of that border so looks like he's been up here for awhile.He must have heard that the Canuck dollar was worth more than the Yankee one and there was free medicare.
I'll send him back with the next snowbird.
Looks like he's aready looseing his tan.
Dave
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