Rattle Snakes Go Away!

If you're visiting from France and find yourself romping through the hills of Southwest Missouri this Summer or Fall, you should be careful regarding where you put your hand.  I happened to notice this Timber Rattler a few days ago lying between some rocks about 30 feet in front of our cabin.  I was in the process of clearing away brush, rocks and leaves in an effort to keep critters like lizards, frogs, field mice and insects away from our cabin and barn.  I figure if I get rid of the "free-roaming groceries" the snakes will be less likely to come around.  

We also have an occasional Pigmy Rattle Snake, which is proof of our overall inclusive snake policy at the Robertson Rock, Squirrel and Snake Ranch.  These two snake species can look similar, but the one in this picture was a Timber Rattler.  These guys are highly venomous and not to be taken lightly.  Their bite is more than capable of killing a full grown human being, which occurs from time to time.  The good news is, given a choice, they apparently don't want anything to do with human beings and typically will try to get away as quickly as they can once they sense your presence.  Based on my personal experience, however, they also aren't afraid to stand their ground.  They blend in amazingly well in our oak and hickory forest, which is to their advantage, not ours.  Our local forest floor is a paradise for snakes of all kinds considering it's strewn with leaves, sticks, fallen branches and dead trees as well as low growing brush at the forest edge and in open areas.  

Not to worry, though, if you're contemplating a day hike, mountain bike ride or even a picnic.  On real hot days like we're currently having, rattlesnakes are more likely to be hiding under rocks and fallen trees or down some random hole in the ground.  Plus, everything I've read says rattlesnakes are more active at night than they are during the daytime; at least in Summer months.  That may well be true, but considering I've encountered at least 8 Timber Rattlers during the day so far this Summer, I hate to even think about how many of them might be crawling around the place when it's dark-thirty.  As my Ol' Grandad would have said, "Now that's something to think about!"

I'll try to keep you posted in the likely event I run across more of these darn rattlesnakes...