Texas Observer

From Asher Elbein in our magazine: “This assumption that rattlesnakes must simply be exterminated reaches its bloody culmination in the ‘rattlesnake roundup.’ ... Since 1958, the most famous of these has been held in the West #Texas town of Sweetwater.” https://www.texasobserver.org/consider-the-rattle/

#WestTexas #nature #animals #wildlife #politics #USpol #history #photography

Consider the Rattle

In a state that still hosts grisly “rattlesnake roundups,” human Texans should learn to see something of themselves in their ancient, slithering kin.

The Texas Observer
Mar 9 at 3:28pmWeb
Show thread Dirty AnComMar 9

@TexasObserver Clint Laidlaw, a philogenist and reptile expert on YouTube (Clint's Reptiles) stated in a video a couple of years ago that rattlesnakes were evolving to use their rattles less, because it kept them safer from humans. This, in turn makes them more dangerous as they don't give warning before being stepped on.

Practically no snake will chase a human (mambas might be an exception). And biting is usually their last resort. They will make sure you know they're there, then try to run or hide. They don't want to interact with us.

Something like 60% of all fatal rattlesnake bits happen to the faces of males between the ages of 16 and 25 who are heavily under the influence of alcohol... If you don't mess with them, any snake is practically harmless.