Animal Planet/Rattlesnake republic - on rattlensnake roundups

[Dehlida]

Lately I've been watching more and more TV, of course I generally turn to some sort of semi educational stuff inbetween quality television such as south park or op repo.. However, I ended up watching "rattlesnake republic" last night. Now as we all know- animal planet is pretty much garbage lately in terms of both the image they put out of reptiles and their keepers and the awful lack of knowledge displayed. Anyone else find this rather stupid? Animal planet couldn't even get the basic "poisonus/venomous" thing right, and this isn't the first time either, nat geo fails at it just as often.

Now the other part- what I actually made this topic to get opinions on. The rattlesnake republic is a show following a small group of rattlesnake hunters in central texas- who every year make a living off the rattlesnake harvest. Now today I manage to find myself watching facebook with people crying about this and so upset- however I wonder the following:

1. A small portion of land is allowed for rattlesnake hunting- a portion of land with a huge abundnace of rattlesnakes- and we are clearly not causing huge dents in the population if every year if the area can sustain the roundups. How is this so awful?

2. Most of the hunters are avid reptile enthusiasts, keeping a variety of reptiles themselves as pets. They are for the most part very careful and safe, follow all guidelines and love what they are doing, what is the problem with this?

3. In the US- we allow huge areas for hunting and fishing- some of these animals are not even used fully when hunted, and are just disposed of. We kill off less rattlesnakes than perhaps any other commonly hunted game species in the states, and the entire snake is used to its fullest extent at the show. What's the issue?

4. "round-ups are cruel"- How so? They cut off the head, instant death, one could argue the way we dispatch our rodents as food is far worse than an instant beheading? They are killed instantly and painlessly and used, who cares if it's public? How is this so cruel?

This whole topic makes me so annoyed with ignorance and stupidity. I find it completely hipocritic that one can sit and bop 100 rats in a day, then cry over the fact a few rattlesnakes are killed in Texas. What gives anyone the right to put a highre value on the life of the snake over the rat, or the snake over the big male elk killed by a sportsman in the mountains.

Opinions welcome ;D

[SnakeyJay]

I personally dont like the idea of mass round up and slaughter of ANY WILD ANIMAL.... However I do recognise the fact its part of the local culture. Its like I wouldnt want to watch as matador in spain, but it happens as part of their historical culture and I have to accept that.. I will say though thatt ive watched a show on the rattler round up and it looks like the snakes are treated badly during the process, and why cant people just wear imitation snake skin if you like the look.. Just my oppinion.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Dehlida

. "round-ups are cruel"- How so? They cut off the head, instant death, one could argue the way we dispatch our rodents as food is far worse than an instant beheading? They are killed instantly and painlessly and used, who cares if it's public? How is this so cruel?

Opinions welcome ;D

Due to the very low oxygen requirements of the reptile brain, the rattlesnakes head is fully aware and still quite alive for MANY minutes after decapitation.

Imagine your own decapitation if your were to remain conscious for another half hour before the lights went out.

However since snakes lack logic and reasoning, one can only imagine what that head must be thinking.

[Will0W783]

I have to say I don't agree with the idea of massive round-ups. I realize that they are huge tourist boons, but in my opinion all they do is portray a negative image of snakes, and the pointless slaughter of hundreds of snakes for the amusement of spectators aggravates me. Yes, anyone who keeps snakes kills rats/mice or buys ones that were killed for that purpose- but they lost their lives for a purpose. It's the same as with beef cattle...they are slaughtered, but they are not wasted. The meat is used for human food, and the bones and joints are often used to make gelatin or glue...the hides are turned into leather for clothes, cars, etc.
In the rattlesnake roundups, they just kill so many snakes for no reason. They don't eat them all; they don't make clothing out of them. They just kill them and wave them around and make a big spectacle of it. I personally think it's inhumane and unnecessary.
But I can see that this will be another area where you and I have a difference of opinion, huh Dehilda?

[forza_inter]

i dont give a **** if its a "tradition" or a huge tourist attraction. rounding up large amounts of rattlesnakes or any other animal for that matter and butchering them is disgusting, despicable and inhumane. if any human being can look at what goes on at these round ups and think that there is nothing wrong with it....get your head checked.

id like to see what would happen if a group of people walked into one of the cities participating in these "round ups" and started collecting all the children in the city and decapitating them.

....and dont give me no bullshit argument about "humans and snakes being totally different" or "humans having the ability to comprehend whats going on, snakes dont"....they have just as much right to live then any human or other form of life so **** you

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by forza_inter

i dont give a **** if its a "tradition" or a huge tourist attraction. rounding up large amounts of rattlesnakes or any other animal for that matter and butchering them is disgusting, despicable and inhumane. if any human being can look at what goes on at these round ups and think that there is nothing wrong with it....get your head checked.

id like to see what would happen if a group of people walked into one of the cities participating in these "round ups" and started collecting all the children in the city and decapitating them.

....and dont give me no bullshit argument about "humans and snakes being totally different" or "humans having the ability to comprehend whats going on, snakes dont"....they have just as much right to live then any human or other form of life so **** you

Apart from the unneccessary swear words i totally agree

[Dehlida]

I guess the above posters are 100% vegan? Do you care to think about what happened to all of your food? Before you go off on me- unless you are living a completely vegan lifestyle you have absolutely no room to talk. I firmly believe that 99% of the animals in our food industry are treated WORSE than rattlesnakes at a once a year roundup in texas.

Somehow, the snake is worse and eating meat isn't wrong at all. Hypocritical in an extreme fashion. Circle of life, I love my hamburgers just as much as the next person, do tell me how you would like the snakes killed for consumption since this method is so wrong? We could always use the same methods used by commercial meat packers, I'd love to see your reactions when REAL cruelty takes place.

[Lankyrob]

Having worked both on UK farms and in slaughterhouses i am 100% happy that the meat i eat is raised and treated as humanely as possible. I also would have no problem killing my own food (and have done so in the past) but wholesale slaughter - no thanks

[Dehlida]

It's much different here in the US, having been in a commercial packing plant, and having grown up on a farm there is a huge difference. However, look at your typical farmer, does he humanely kill a chicken? If you think beheading is humane. Does he humanely kill the cow? Yep, with a shotgun.

It's a different way of thinking, the world isn't all butterflys and daisys. Sometimes things die so that other things can live.

[Lankyrob]

Just wondering what will live because all those rattlesnakes are slaughtered?

[Dehlida]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Just wondering what will live because all those rattlesnakes are slaughtered?

Culturally people eat rattlesnake- I've had it and I must say it's pretty good meat. Also, less bites on humans because lower population. It isn't all bad.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Dehlida

I guess the above posters are 100% vegan? Do you care to think about what happened to all of your food? Before you go off on me- unless you are living a completely vegan lifestyle you have absolutely no room to talk. I firmly believe that 99% of the animals in our food industry are treated WORSE than rattlesnakes at a once a year roundup in texas.

Somehow, the snake is worse and eating meat isn't wrong at all. Hypocritical in an extreme fashion. Circle of life, I love my hamburgers just as much as the next person, do tell me how you would like the snakes killed for consumption since this method is so wrong? We could always use the same methods used by commercial meat packers, I'd love to see your reactions when REAL cruelty takes place.

don't get me wrong, I like meat and I kill things no problem. That's why I stuck with scientific facts rather than opinions.

[whoaxmary]

Kay, as some one who IS a vegan, and has been a vegatarian my whole life, I want to state my opinion now to.
Most of your points seem very valid at first read. But then I can not ever agree with the idea of a mass slaughter.

Due to the very low oxygen requirements of the reptile brain, the rattlesnakes head is fully aware and still quite alive for MANY minutes after decapitation.

Imagine your own decapitation if your were to remain conscious for another half hour before the lights went out.

However since snakes lack logic and reasoning, one can only imagine what that head must be thinking.

I'm very glad you brought this up Wayne, as is a point I think is VERY valid.
People argue animals can not feel fear, and something like this 'round up' is not cruel.

Have you never had your dog hide from a storm? Or your cat jump up and run acorss the room when you have a herp out? CLEARLY animals can feel fear, and if I felt like digging I know I can find facts to support this.
Now, as Wayne said snakes, and animals in general lack logic and reasoning. I think this makes fear even more intense in animals than people can feel the emotion.
I'd keep going...but I need to get back to work .x.x

[Will0W783]

WHy did you even start this thread, Dehilda? You HAD to have known this would ruffle a lot of feathers? I get the distinct impression that you enjoy riling people up.

[forza_inter]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Apart from the unneccessary swear words i totally agree

hahaha sorry man things like this really hit home.....rattles my life