Rattlesnake Roundup time is my view of ‘March Madness’
Few sounds will make a West Texan freeze or take flight faster than a “rattle”. In my youth, I went to the Big Spring Rattlesnake Roundup held by the AMBUCS but you won't find me attending any now. Sweetwater is known for holding the largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Texas every March and though I would not discourage a first timer from going I won't volunteer as their chaperon. Not because I abdicate antihunting due to animal/reptile cruelty but because in my advanced age I feel if I see a rattlesnake near me it wishes to be killed. To those who know my love for God's creatures I'm sure this surprised some that I would be an “only good snake is a dead snake” type and that is not true. However I wouldn't hesitate to say “the only good rattlesnake is a dead rattlesnake”. I recognize the important part that the snake plays in our eco- system however it is one of those creatures (like spiders) that I don't go finding it so it shouldn't find me type situations. I will go out of my way to not to harm a bull snake or grass snake but if it rattles all bets are off!
Rattlesnakes are found in the southern parts of the United States from the mountains to the plains. It's far more likely that any snake you encounter in Texas will not be one of the venomous species. Most snakes are harmless; all are essential parts of our ecosystem keeping populations of mice and other rodents in check. Only 15 species of snakes found in Texas are venomous, and some of these are in remote areas where contact with humans is rare. There are four groups of dangerously venomous snakes in North America, and Texas (of course we are the best at everything!) has all four: rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. (1)
The most famous feature of the rattlesnake is of course its rattle. The rattle is found at the tip of the tail and the snake uses the rattle to warn potential aggressors to back off or to distract its prey. The famous noise comes from the sound created when hollow and bony segments bang together. Baby rattlesnakes are born alive with a pre-button and each time the snake sheds its skin a new button appears. Until a rattlesnake has two or more buttons it does not make a sound. Spring is breeding season for rattlers. Adult female rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning the egg sacs are incubated within the mother so the young emerge fully developed. Babies are born venomous and often are more aggressive than the adults and have no buttons to warn off a target. As the rattlesnake ages it learns to control the amount of venom it releases and this is another reason baby rattlesnake bites can be more dangerous. As a rattlesnake ages it adds the buttons however the buttons can also break off so the old wives tale of counting the buttons to tell the age may not hold true. Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded so you will often see them “sunning themselves” on pavements or rocks to get warm. In hot climates like West Texas they move at night because even in total darkness prey animals are visible to the snake because the heat-sensitive pits on each side of the snake's head detects the prey's heat.
As populations grow and people continue to move into less developed areas, encounters with snakes are going to occur around the home. Snakes in general, occur around a home for the specific purposes of seeking food and shelter. Keeping this in mind provides guidelines to help prevent snakebites around the home. Since venomous snakes are common in the rural areas of Texas, it is important for farmers, ranchers, hunters, rural residents, outdoor enthusiasts, oil field workers, etc. to exercise caution. Keep wood piles, brush piles, trash dumps and livestock pens as far as possible from the residence and as neat as possible. When working in these areas, exercise caution. Never put an arm or leg into something if you cannot see the bottom don't reach or step until you can see the bottom. Treat tools and materials stored on the floor as possible snake shelters. Treat overturned boats, tarps and similar objects as potential shelter for transient snakes moving through the area. Remember snakes are adept at finding their way through small openings so keep this in mind when entering crawl spaces, basements, garages and similar areas. On hikes always carry a cell phone, hike with a friend, or make sure family and friends know where you are hiking and how long you plan to be gone. Look before you sit and avoid tall grass and underbrush. Keep pets on a leash. Be careful collecting firewood and pay attention to camp sites before setting up. Check your tent and sleeping bags before use. Never step over a log without first seeing what is on the other side. If you must move a log - use a long stick or garden tool first, to ensure snakes are neither under, on or around these favored habitats. Be careful around water because rattlesnakes can swim – anything resembling a long stick in the water could be a rattlesnake. Use a flashlight when moving about, even in your home yard, at night. Wear protective clothing if working in areas where you suspect snakes nearby. Heavy footwear, snake proof trousers and/or leggings will help reduce your risk.
If you come across a rattlesnake back up so you are out of the snake's strike range (at least five feet or more). A rattlesnake's strike range can be up to one third to one half of its total length. Avoid picking up a snake as even a dead snake can “bite” because of a reflex action that closes the mouth and injects venom.
Now if the rattlesnake does find you first, the Texas Wildlife and Parks website says to do the following:
What to Do If Bitten by a Rattlesnake
• Remain calm.
• Seek immediate medical attention by dialing 911 or your local poison center — 1-800-222-1222.
• Keep the bitten arm, leg, or body part at or slightly below heart level.
• Note the time the bite happened. Avoid trying to capture or kill the snake, but try to remember its color and shape so you can describe it. This can help with medical treatment. If you can do so safely and without delay, take a photo.
• Remove all tight clothing or jewelry.
• Do not cut the bite or try to suck the venom out.
• Leave the bite site alone. Do not use any first aid measures such as applying heat, cold, electricity or any substance to the bite.
• Avoid allowing the victim to drink caffeine or alcohol or take any drugs.
• Transport the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible, but use care and do not convert the snake bite emergency into a traffic accident. It's best to go by ambulance. (2)
The first tip (Stay calm) I would personally find a little tough but it is always amazing how we human behave in an emergency. Please take care as the days warm and “critters” large or small emerge to live among our land. Protecting ourselves, pets and livestock is an important job.
(1)(2) www.twpd.texas.gov