Rattlesnake Encounter, Almost got bit !

V

vaj1111

Joined
Dec 27, 2005
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While hiking down the trail yesterday I was about 100 yards from the car when I heard a buzzing beside my foot. Holy Sh**, this little bugger was only a few feet from me. I took a few photos and shot a short video I posted to youtube.

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[video=youtube;qFPnF_hRnTE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFPnF_hRnTE[/video]
 
Beautiful snake! Rattlesnakes must be the most polite snakes out there. Very kind of them to let you know that you are getting too close..

Great pic!
 
I almost stepped one one in Harriman State Park a few years back. I looked down with my foot 6" above the snake, I stared for a second, and then when I pulled my foot away it started rattling. Sphincter-puckering few seconds there haha. Anyways, glad you're ok. I like the photo, as well.

-Nadz
 
Great pic. I love seeing rattlesnakes, but I have had a few close calls myself. They haven't been as courteous with their rattles though!
 
vaj1111, that's a great pic/vid.

I noticed the young ones don't really rattle. I was walking on a narrow trail (thick bush on both sides) . A youngster - no more than 3' long, crossed the trail less than a yard in front of me, like I wasn't even there....Forget the vibration my steps were supposed to sent through the ground, he was on a mission....

However, on a different occasion, this guy made sure to let me know I was gettin' too close
rattlesnake-1.jpg
 
That is a beautiful rattler! I've had over a hundred encounters with them (well, I use to hunt them) and I've never ran into an aggressive one unless they were messed with. I don't know about the whole vibrations issue. One of my rotations as the National Training Center in CA was very interesting. We had some engineers dig an area out so we could muffle the sounds of our 10Kw generators. The next morning, we had about four rattlers curled up near the generators. It did get cold (early spring), but I'm wondering if the generator's vibrations mixed up their sense of direction or if the heat was what they sought??? Of the majority of rattlers I hunted and killed, a surprising amount never rattled until I tried to "coax" them out of the under brush. Snakes are some of the greatest creatures in nature...I love to run into most them these days...other than cottonmouths during the spring mating season (they can get a little aggressive without being provoked). Either way, that is just an utterly beautiful rattler...thanks for sharing!

ROCK6
 
i was in Rhode island a few years ago hiking to rattlesnake ledge and i saw out of my peripherals before i stepped on it a just recently hatched rattlesnake, it was a stunning steel blue color. they have been nearly hunted out from what Ive been told from that area so seeing one that close was really cool.
 
That was a cool pic of a rattlesnake, glad he didnt strike you. The ones we have in south GA. are much darker in color.
 
it's a good idea when hiking to not hurry along but more of a saunter so as to examine the area better. i no longer kill rattlers unless too close to camping area.--dennis
 
That photo is amazing! Glad you didn't get bit, Video seemed abit close for comfort for me. I was hoping you were Zoomed in:eek:
 
Wow...nice pic ! As many years as I've been in the woods wondering around or hunting, I have never seen a rattlesnake, I have heared them several times but never seen them. I've seen alot of Copperheads but no rattlesnakes ! Snakes don't scare me....now Spiders ....thats another story !
 
Very nice picture. Years ago when working South Texas with drilling equipment, it was not uncommon to have them wander over to check things out. I believe the vibrations attact them. Same thing happens with Water Moccasins. I have never stepped on a rattlesnake, or poisonous snake for that matter, but I have had some very close calls including strikes. I find them very interesting snakes.

Saw lots of rattlesnakes in South Texas. Sometimes you'd see 10 or more just driving the dirt roads. I pretty much leave them alone and they treat me right, so far.
 
A study in PA found most snakebites involved males in their early twenties, under the infuence of alchohol , and the bites were on the hands and arms !!

In NY all snakes are protected.
 
They sun themselves on the walking trail behind my house when I used to live in Colorado. You always had to be wary you don't step on one. A walking staff can be helpfull. :)

In PA they typically hide in the tall grass, and that's when they can get you or your dog. Good, high boots are recommended.
 
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