Unexpected Encounter
Sep 14, 2019 09:41:49 #
When you're RVing in the Southwest, ya never know where these Rattlers will show up. Happened Wednesday when Barbara went out to dump the tanks!
The Park Rangers came by to capture and relocate the critter. Fun times in New Mexico! LOL
These are just snap-shots of the event. I really wasn't trying to be creative, just wanting to capture the event.
The Park Rangers came by to capture and relocate the critter. Fun times in New Mexico! LOL
These are just snap-shots of the event. I really wasn't trying to be creative, just wanting to capture the event.
Sep 14, 2019 09:46:24 #
Sep 14, 2019 09:58:41 #
fourg1b2006 wrote:
I'm glad nobody got hurt.
Thanks Marty. It was in a pretty non-agressive mood.... until the Rangers came. LOL
Sep 14, 2019 10:02:55 #
Better for her to see it before it reacted to her! Only one I've ever seen in the wild was curled up against a pillar outside the visitor center at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I was on my way in, saw it, let out a small shriek of surprise. People came running out. We left it alone, and the ranger said it would leave soon. They weren't very proactive at getting it gone. Apparently a common occurrence.
What do your park rangers think - that rattlers won't show up again? I've seen campgrounds where cinder is laid around the camping area to discourage snakes from crawling by.
What do your park rangers think - that rattlers won't show up again? I've seen campgrounds where cinder is laid around the camping area to discourage snakes from crawling by.
Sep 14, 2019 10:03:52 #
Sep 14, 2019 10:14:18 #
BlueMorel wrote:
Better for her to see it before it reacted to her!... (show quote)
The Rangers here are proactive. The safety of our campers come first. If the Rattlesnake is found in a campsite or at the restrooms, it is captured and relocated. This protects the campers and their children, as well as any pets that they may have. If it is found along a hiking trail it is left alone.
Sep 14, 2019 10:35:17 #
Sep 14, 2019 11:21:36 #
Sep 14, 2019 13:19:54 #
Camping and visiting parks can involve encounters with other living things, some of which can be dangerous to various degrees. The more people encroach on the habitat of other animals, the more likely the encounters will be. But none of that is even a tiny fraction as dangerous as many workplaces, or taking your car out on the highway.
Of an estimated 7,000 venomous snake bites in the US per year, only about 5 die. Many of the fatal bites occur during religious services that use snakes, during snake roundups, and by exotic venomous snakes kept as pets or in exhibits.
By the way, an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, 800,000 of those bites result in medical care, and 30 or so are fatal. Unlike dogs, snakes are not aggressive.
Of course, one should always be cautious and alert when in the wilds, but one should always be cautious and alert when on the Interstate or crossing a busy street in town or encountering the neighbor's dog.
Mike
Of an estimated 7,000 venomous snake bites in the US per year, only about 5 die. Many of the fatal bites occur during religious services that use snakes, during snake roundups, and by exotic venomous snakes kept as pets or in exhibits.
By the way, an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, 800,000 of those bites result in medical care, and 30 or so are fatal. Unlike dogs, snakes are not aggressive.
Of course, one should always be cautious and alert when in the wilds, but one should always be cautious and alert when on the Interstate or crossing a busy street in town or encountering the neighbor's dog.
Mike
Sep 15, 2019 10:20:31 #
Blenheim Orange wrote:
Camping and visiting parks can involve encounters ... (show quote)
So true. Here at this park, there have been 7 bites since 2007 and 2 of those were dry bites. Four were bites on hikers not paying attention and one where a camper was aggravating the snake. Not sure of any deaths, but I do know that the hospital costs are very expensive. Something like 50 grand to treat a bite with anti-venom, so I've heard.
Sep 15, 2019 13:54:52 #
When I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles, we used to go to the Mojave Desert 2-4 times a year. We had a cabin outside Joshua Tree. Once, when I was about 6 years old, when in a store in Twentynine Palms, my parents walked out of the store. I came out a little later and they were talking to a man who had a live rattlesnake hanging around his neck. I stared with open mouth. He asked me if I wanted him to hang it around my neck. I said O O OK. I remember looking down at this snake hanging around my neck. I assume it was defanged. Quite an experience!
Sep 15, 2019 14:10:46 #
jblazar wrote:
When I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles, we use... (show quote)
Wow....LOL. .. that's an experience!
Sep 15, 2019 14:55:24 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
Blenheim Orange wrote:
Unlike dogs, snakes are not aggressive.
There are 2 generalizations in this statement and both are wrong. Just as there are some dog species that are not aggressive, there are some venomous snake species that are.
Sep 15, 2019 15:34:13 #
TheShoe wrote:
There are 2 generalizations in this statement and both are wrong. Just as there are some dog species that are not aggressive, there are some venomous snake species that are.
Of course those statements are generalizations. I didn't think that the "in general" qualifier was needed, but I guess it was.
Most dogs can be aggressive under some circumstances. Most snakes are not aggressive under any circumstances. Dogs can be trained to be aggressive. Not so much with snakes.
Mike
Sep 15, 2019 16:15:44 #
Here in swampy southwest Michigan the only rattlers we have are massasaugas. They will strike but generally really have to be provoked. They are more likely to hide. Generally, reported bites were mostly folks who didn't let them be, not ones who had a surprise encounter.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.