They told me to limit this to 300 words and this is 399. its still not everything i wanted to say, but we are so limited for space. i hope they will publish as it.....if not, i will try to shorten this a little more.
The truth about Timber Rattlesnakes.
In a recent article a layperson was quoted as saying (about Timber Rattlesnakes) “that particular species is aggressive and will not wait for you in the shade, but will come after you.”
This was a grossly inaccurate statement as to the nature of Crotalus Horridus, better known as the Timber Rattlesnake. Actually these snakes are shy, reclusive, and avoid human contact whenever possible.
These animals are equipped with potent venom, but seek to use this commodity only for capturing prey. Venom is used as defensive only as a last resort. The snake realizes that first, the venom does not act instantly and a potential adversary would have ample opportunity to inflict damage to it, even after a bite. Second, the snake knows if it expends venom for defense, it may miss an opportunity at a much needed meal.
During snake to human encounters, this species relies first on camouflage. If the snake thinks it has not been seen, it will lie perfectly still and hope the human passes it by. Once the animal realizes it has been seen, it will then rattle to alert humans it is present. From there it will look for the most prudent escape route, and take it.
Research was recently done by the Tri-State Herpetological Society. Replicas of human hands were made by filling latex gloves with gelatin. The make shift hand was then scented by rubbing it against human skin and then heated to 98 degrees. A test group of 10 Crotalus Horridus were tested. None of the snakes would bite the mock hand when it was placed in front of them. Zero out of 10 struck at the hand when it was used to gently touch them. Only 6 out of 10 struck at the hand when it was used to aggressively provoke the snake.
Most cases of human envenomations from Timber Rattlesnakes occur during attempts to capture or kill the snake. This fact along with the fact rattlesnakes provide a vital role in the environment by controlling rodents (who are responsible for more human deaths then all world wars combined) should compel humans to leave snake in peace when they are encountered. If one comes across a rattlesnake, simply do not disturb the animal. Leave it as you found it and it will go about its business. It means no harm to any human; it simply wishes to avoid human contact.
Professor Samuel C Hurd
www.TriStateHerp.com
, but do you use it for work like local authorities or other, or is Chattanooga, TN that dangerous to live in?
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