Author Topic: Rattlesnake (Read 1733 times)

Matthew · « **on:** June 01, 2015, 07:07:47 PM »

I killed another rattlesnake today.

The last time I killed one was 4 years ago, with a metal rake.
http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php?a=topic&t=14438&min=0&num=5

This time, it was poised to attack and rattling like crazy, so I didn't dare. This time I resorted to a more long-range and "stereotypical Texan" weapon. Yee-haw!

Earlier, the cat in the picture was staring at the spot where the snake lay dying. Our cat likes meat. Normally she catches her own, but if it's fresh and raw, I wouldn't be surprised if she were interested.

shin · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2015, 07:42:42 PM »

Lots of folks are getting inundated with snakes fleeing the flooding.

I hear if you chop the head off a rattlesnake it can still react and bite you even a few hours later. . .

poche · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2015, 10:46:06 PM »

Where I live we don't have rettlesnakes. We have water moccasins and copperheads.

Nadir · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2015, 11:13:11 PM »

We lost our dear 12 year-old cat, Millie, late last year. She killed a deadly brown snake and the brown snake paralysed her and we had to have her put down. Cats do not succuмb in the same way as dogs and humans. They take longer to be affected. In fact we did not even realise that she had been bitten for over 24 hours.

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Reptiles/Snakes/Common+and+dangerous+species/Eastern+Brown+Snake#.VW0sYM-qooI

ihsv · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2015, 11:23:23 PM »

We have rattlers in Kentucky, though I've not seen any. I had to kill a copperhead that was relaxing under our sunroom, just a few feet from where the boys play out back. A shovel works very well. I used the opportunity to instruct the youngsters on how to recognize venomous snakes, what to look for, etc.

Dolores · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2015, 08:54:26 AM »

Is there any danger to the cat if it eats a dead venomous snake?

confederate catholic · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2015, 09:40:45 AM »

nice snake :ready-to-eat:

Quote

I hear if you chop the head off a rattlesnake it can still react and bite you even a few hours later. . .

one of the ones i killed i did cut off its head and it kept on biting for a while, no hour though.

the head "jumped" pretty high too

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2015, 02:42:37 PM »

Someone out there can correct me if I'm wrong but one way to prevent rattlesnakes, and all snakes in general, from getting cozy in your backyard is to throw a bunch of mothballs one for ever three foot of space. After a couple days, the smell is dissipated but the snakes can still smell it and they hate it. The mothballs are a good method of keeping the snakes out.

Peter15and1 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2015, 04:03:25 PM »

Quote from: Capt McQuigg

Someone out there can correct me if I'm wrong but one way to prevent rattlesnakes, and all snakes in general, from getting cozy in your backyard is to throw a bunch of mothballs one for ever three foot of space. After a couple days, the smell is dissipated but the snakes can still smell it and they hate it. The mothballs are a good method of keeping the snakes out.

While some people swear by mothballs as a snake repellent, most evidence suggests that they do not work. What is absolutely true is that mothballs are highly toxic if ingested or if the vapors are inhaled, so by leaving them out in the open like that, there is the potential of unintended poisoning of children, pets, or other wild animals. You could also contaminate your soil and water.

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2015, 04:25:29 PM »

Quote from: Dolores

Is there any danger to the cat if it eats a dead venomous snake?

The venom glands are in the head. That's all you need to remove. Everything else is fine to eat once it's cooked (snakes are known to often carry Salmonella... like the chicken you buy all the time at the grocery store, so don't worry about it). Just make sure you don't touch the head and chop it off with a shovel or something. I highly recommend starting up the grill. Snakes are delicious.

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2015, 04:36:59 PM »

Quote from: Peter15and1

Quote from: Capt McQuigg
Someone out there can correct me if I'm wrong but one way to prevent rattlesnakes, and all snakes in general, from getting cozy in your backyard is to throw a bunch of mothballs one for ever three foot of space. After a couple days, the smell is dissipated but the snakes can still smell it and they hate it. The mothballs are a good method of keeping the snakes out.

While some people swear by mothballs as a snake repellent, most evidence suggests that they do not work. What is absolutely true is that mothballs are highly toxic if ingested or if the vapors are inhaled, so by leaving them out in the open like that, there is the potential of unintended poisoning of children, pets, or other wild animals. You could also contaminate your soil and water.

Indeed.

The best way to discourage venomous snakes on your property is to let be the non-venomous species like grass or rat-snakes. Learn to identify these and leave them be when you encounter them. They out compete the venomous species by reducing the food supply they would otherwise feed upon.

jen51 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2015, 11:02:22 AM »

Way to go! I have no sympathy for venomous snakes.

I welcome non-venomous, harmless snakes to our yard though. Excellent rodent control. Also, there are several types of non-venomous snakes that like to eat venomous snakes so I'm all for it.

GottmitunsAlex · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2015, 01:17:03 AM »

Quote from: Catholic Samurai

Quote from: Dolores
Is there any danger to the cat if it eats a dead venomous snake?

The venom glands are in the head. That's all you need to remove. Everything else is fine to eat once it's cooked (snakes are known to often carry Salmonella... like the chicken you buy all the time at the grocery store, so don't worry about it). Just make sure you don't touch the head and chop it off with a shovel or something. I highly recommend starting up the grill. Snakes are delicious.

I concur.

Stubborn · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2015, 05:57:30 AM »

I don't like snakes, glad there's one less now!

Seraphia · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2015, 02:29:31 PM »

We love seeing our black rat snakes -- that means copperheads are less likely nearby. We did have too many rat snakes this spring and killed one, but to kill them all is an invite for the poisonous snakes to move in. We live in a dense forest.