Mojave Rattlers

[Kim]

Hi! Hope everyone is doing well. I was wandering if anyone might be able to tell me how to distingish a Mojave Rattlesnake (Neurotoxic) from any other breed of Rattler (hemotoxic)? Seems like that would be good info for anyone that spends time in the outdoors. Thanks!

[Sredfield]

"Fifty to 70% of reptile bites managed by the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center were provoked by the person who was bitten--that is, someone was trying to kill, capture or harass the animal."

. . . with an elevated blood alcohol content.

[Al_HikesAZ]

What's cool is when Diamondbacks elevate up from the coil and wave around. I think they can still strike the same distance as big_load references - 1/3 to 1/2 of their body length. Rattlers are defensive. They don't really "want" to bite you if they don't have to because they know you are too big to eat. As mentioned previously - most bites occur on the hands of males between 20 to 30 years of young with a blood alcohol level in the impaired range. "Stupid is as stupid does" F. Gump

We do have an article on Snake Encounters http://hikearizona.com/article.php?ID=15 Read the comments because it does have an inaccuracy.

Most rattlers hibernate. If rattlesnakes freak you out you might consider snake gaiters. Diamondbacks inject hemotoxins. Mojaves inject neurotoxins which is why this topic was about Mojaves. Mojaves will coil up into that little cinammon bun coil and you can practically step on them in the morning if they've had a good night hunting. They don't even rattle and you're thinking - "that's an interesting rock" right before you elevate about 3 feet into the air.

I've learned to tell my wife that I saw a buzzworm - not a rattlesnake. Somehow she doesn't get as excited. I guess people aren't afraid of worms so a buzzworm doesn't sound menacing. Whereas a rattlesnake must just sound primordial and evil. Not to get too far off-topic but I do have some tips for cooking buzzworm. and here are some recipes http://www.rattlesnakerecipe.us/

Buzzworms aren't "poisonous" - they are "venomous".

[nonot]

That's the strike distance, but if they get pissed they can move too!

[kevinweitzel75]

Only on one occassion was a snake brought in, once they heard it rattle they were not interested in what type.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Interesting recent article about Mojave rattlesnakes:
http://www.currentargus.com/carlsbad-ne ... ve-rattler

[Tortoise_Hiker]

Interesting. Thanks for the post.