View Full Version : First Rattler of the year...
Took my Boston terrier out hiking yesterday. I have him on a retractable leash so he's always like 10-15 feet in front of me, leading the charge. Well in the middle of my hike I see this guy AFTER my dog had walked right past him. I was caught in no mans land, not wanting to walk past it on a slim trail and not wanting my dog to come back to me. Luckily there was a young couple walking down the path so I had the girl take my dog while I looked for a long stick. Even luckier was about a 5-6 foot piece of rebar (wtf is rebar doing out on a hiking trail? lol) that was a couple feet behind me. I was able to use that to pick the little guy up, and he didnt even rattle at me.....until he slipped off and I dropped him lol. Picked him up again, rattling like a machine gun and just tossed him into a bush.
I love seeing these guys but they scare the hell outta me, especially when they end up between me and my dog.
For some reason some of my pictures upload to the website upside down, not sure what I can do to fix that. Anyways, anyone got an ID on this sucker? I've never seen one QUITE so black. I know the head gives them away a little but I even had to double check for a rattler to make sure. This is in san luis obispo, ca.
The pic also uploaded blurry. Its clear as day on my pc...
I cannot see enough in the pic to positively ID the animal. However, assuming it is in fact a Rattlesnake, I believe the only Rattlesnake found in San Luis Obispo County is the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus). They are known to get very dark. There are quite a few free photo hosting sites, maybe try a different one. Or even Facebook. This forum compresses images pretty bad, and I would like to see a better shot.
Lets try this again....
http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj616/zelg21/20160401_133901_zpspasg5pj5.jpg (http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/zelg21/media/20160401_133901_zpspasg5pj5.jpg.html)
yay it done worked.
Much better, that's a good looking critter. Definitely a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus), and a remarkably dark one at that. Thanks for sharing.
Ya I've come across a couple of other rattlers on different hikes but the darkness of that one is striking. no pun intended.
D Grade
05-11-16, 04:18 PM
Pretty C. O. Oreganus, nice find! I'm looking forward to heading over to So Cal to look for some C. Ruber.
Pretty C. O. Oreganus, nice find! I'm looking forward to heading over to So Cal to look for some C. Ruber.
Somewhat unfortunately I feel like these guys end up finding me lol. They scare the crap out of me. Its one thing to be looking for them....another to have your dog walk by it and you almost step on it yourself. I love seeing them but so often I dont see them until its ALMOST too late. This guy especially just looks like a shadow or roots that line the trails.
Then again he didnt start rattling until I dropped him so maybe I'm too worried :)
D Grade
05-13-16, 06:00 PM
Just make it a policy to start looking for them and you 'll probably start to never see them (herpers curse). Be careful and be aware, Cali is covered with C.O. Oreganus. The bite is bad and CroFab has a tough time counter-acting the bite. Symptom reoccurence has also been observed quite a bit more often than not with Oreganus bites within the first 72 hours.
CrotalusR#1
05-14-16, 03:02 AM
Much better, that's a good looking critter. Definitely a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus), and a remarkably dark one at that. Thanks for sharing.
What makes you positive it's is C.o.o? There are several helleri extensions in this county and intergrade zones. Appears to be oreganus but would not be so positive.
Even the leading experts and field researchers can not ID a lot
Of the snakes found in some of the areas I am talking about.
Not meant to be a call out! I just wanted to mention something. Regardless of what it is, it's a stunner of an animal!
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