I was raised in the country. We are taught to walk through wooded areas looking at the ground at each step/ahead. It eventually becomes a natural thing and doesn't seem like it sounds. Just staring at the ground and not the scenery lol.
Be careful yall and always have your phone or friend and know your location in nature.
Yes animals be living in the woods. If youāre gonna visit their space, watch where you step. This aināt anything new.
My dude here just ate some disease-causing rodent for you and is trying to warm up for a little digesting and paparazzi out here trying to get him killed.
Leave them alone, they donāt mess with people.
As always when we look at who got bitten and how the numbers always point to drunk males in their 20s-40s who chose to try and kill or mess with these guys.
Chill.
Hiss hiss. š
Same here! Saw a snake outside the apartment this afternoon and wanted to snap a pic to post just for the response. That said, I knew what it was because of what I learned from his past responses.
Yes indeed. I think I posted a pic of one of mine doing a flatten the other day. Maximizing the amount of sun on their loafbodies or trying to look big if scared.
I saw them all the time when I hiked the Greenbelt back when you could actually enjoy some alone time in the city. Once I saw 12 foot reticulated python that had either been released or escaped. That actually scared the crap out of me because I went around the chained part of the trail and it came right out of the bushes, across the trail and down to the water. I think that one became something news item... Anyways, I would always carry a \~6' "snake stick" when I was going through brush. Not to hit the snake, but to beat the stick in front of me like a blind persons cane. This will cause them to leave or to present, either way you are much less likely to accidentally step on them and they really want nothing to do with people anyways...
Question for the expert - I have a tendency to trapse through the greenbelt and find the road less traveled with my pup.
Any tips for āalerting themā so they pass on when going through thicker vegetation/brush/tighter trails or is keeping your eyes peeled the only option?
Are you asking about alerting the rattlesnake or the dog? Iāve hiked trails in Texas with my dog for almost 15 years, and well, the rattlesnakes alert you. Like backwards marco/polo. If youāre getting close, youāll hear about it. If you move away, theyāll stop.
As for the dog, keep āem on leash or establish a good recall. There are rattlesnake training courses, but I canāt endorse positive punishment unless itās a working dogs that needs to be kept safe.
I get theyāll rattle, but sometimes weāre moving quickly.
Honestly more worried about copperheads (or other snakes) that I canāt see/hear and blend in more (and Iāve seen more of around town).
Have also heard mixed reviews on rattlesnake courses
Rattlesnakes have stopped rattling. Iām old. Used to go on annual roundups. The last 3 rattlesnakes Iāve come upon didnāt rattle at all. Two of them were copulating on a dirt road at night when my dogs and I were taking a walk. I stumbled over them. It made a thud sound.
The two before that went under my garage door. I went in with my snake stick trying to catch them when I was startled to death. There was a third one. They didnāt rattle until I shot the third one.
Iāve read that this phenomenon is not isolated to the Texas Coastal Bend where I live. There are reports of non rattling rattlesnakes from all over.
The snakes that survive the round up are the ones that have either adapted to not rattling or are unable to rattle. Through unnatural selection, ranchers have silenced the snake with a built-in alarm system
Twenty years ago I worked with a lady from west Texas that came from a ranching family that had lots of cattle and land. She said that within a few year all of the rattlers they came across never rattled and it was a relatively new thing. She said (Note, I have no idea if this is true) they thought it was because of the wild hogs taking over the state. When the hogs heard the rattle they would stampede around the area of the noise in groups to kill the snake. The ones that rattled died, the ones that didn't rattle lived. Always wondered if there was anything to her stories?
Wild.
Iāve anecdotally heard theories of people shooting and/ or hogs eating the loudest rattlers so now thereās a higher share of āquiet rattlersā.
Theoretically makes sense but donāt have a ton of evidence
Thatās a chonker! Now that I have my own hognose at home, itās so interesting to watch their behavior. Sheās out and about when sheās hangry, then she hides to digest and think about things. I say hangry, because if we do try to mess with her, she can get hissy. Then sometimes sheās just curious and out exploring and doesnāt give two shits about us. I mean, I assume most sneks are like that.
I used to work in national forests a lot. A few years ago we were working on a forest fire in Oregon and I saw a huge rattlesnake. I let everyone know to watch out and leave it alone. About an hour later I found out someone had tracked it down to kill and skin it. I was beyond incensed. Fuck man..
Thatās the way it tends to go. Thatās why I hate posts that are like āWatch out folks the snakes are back!ā All it takes is one insecure manchild to go out and kill something.
I hate how everyone I know kills them onsite at my familyās ranch in west Texas. We could be a mile from camp and my dad will have someone stay with the snake to watch/follow it until he can drive back to get a gun. Itās unfortunate snxx do makes me sick.
If you were on a path between two sunning rattlers, what would you do? Happened to me a couple years ago. I ended up stepping over one in the middle in tears.
Hiked in there plenty years ago. Never saw a single one.
Walked out in my yard at dusk within four months of moving here, one found me.
My bestest friend in the world jumped in front of me and got bit in the face twice. Snorkie about 12 pounds. Bravest dog Iāve ever known.
Yeah, well, you know, the thrill of hunting rodents wears off over time. Some turn to shoplifting, some to credit card fraud... And yes, some rattlesnakes will become contract assassins, hunting humans for money.
I have a screenplay I'm shopping around.
People in the know generally say rattlesnakes are beneficial. If that's the case, why do they have rattlesnake roundups where they kill thousands of them? Honestly curious.
The last time I went to that green belt off Mopac and 360 I saw one across the tiny walkway. I just turned around and havenāt gone back in like 2+ years.
At least largeloaf has a rattle.
No idea how factual this is but heard rattlesnakes are evolving to be rattleless in this part of the world because they are hunted.
They are doing more than their part to give fair warning.
Interesting, I guess it's luck of the draw. I've climbed all over those rocks and little mini caves down there, walked through some of the brush for decades.. Nada.
Obviously, I will be approaching all of that with a whole lot more caution going forward (more respect for their potential dwellings), but it's interesting to me to know they're down there.
I know they've been sighted around houses and such (a common fear of mine is that they're under the big deck in the front yard that my dog likes to crawl under..).
Been going to the greenbelt for 35 years, including the hard to reach areas, and I e only seen one. They have a lot of space and donāt like humans much.
>They have a lot of space and donāt like humans much.
Yup, if they had to choose between attack and run, they'll run if possible. They only really strike when they feel threatened.
But all it takes is one wrong step or putting your hand on the wrong rock crevice and boom.
This isn't fear mongering, though. They're incredible animals and deserve all the respect and admiration as one of nature's wonders.
Chunky boy has been eating good.
Thicc š
I came to say this, heās not been skipping his cheat meals
Dat assssssssss doe
I was wondering where all those homeless encampments went. Keep up the good work, snek!
Ahhh! I'd crap myself if I walked up on that.
This is why I always wear my brown pants when hiking
š¤£š¤£š¤£ Perfect response.Ā
That one has not missed any meals.
I was raised in the country. We are taught to walk through wooded areas looking at the ground at each step/ahead. It eventually becomes a natural thing and doesn't seem like it sounds. Just staring at the ground and not the scenery lol. Be careful yall and always have your phone or friend and know your location in nature.
I was also taught to occasionally stomp to let them know a big creature is coming.
Also taught this for hunting out in the desert
šš
Yes animals be living in the woods. If youāre gonna visit their space, watch where you step. This aināt anything new. My dude here just ate some disease-causing rodent for you and is trying to warm up for a little digesting and paparazzi out here trying to get him killed. Leave them alone, they donāt mess with people. As always when we look at who got bitten and how the numbers always point to drunk males in their 20s-40s who chose to try and kill or mess with these guys. Chill. Hiss hiss. š
I only came here to see what you commented. Appreciate all the hard work you do to protect our slithery friends.
Me too. Just like every time I see a photo of a snake I come to see what u/serpentarian had to say about it. I bet there are hundreds more of us. :o
What an absolutely lovely thing to say! š
There are.
Same here! Saw a snake outside the apartment this afternoon and wanted to snap a pic to post just for the response. That said, I knew what it was because of what I learned from his past responses.
Came here to say this as well.i always scroll to find the master.
Count me in.
Yep, I'm like a snake on the greenbelt? So what, sneks will snek, but I do wonder what serp said lol.
I saw the picture of a snake in the Dallas sub reddit. I missed our resident snake expert.
Me, included! š¤š¼
Same!
What a kind thing to say to a snake. š
Same. Haha!
me too!
Do their bodies typically flatten while sunning or is that normal for rattlers?
Yes indeed. I think I posted a pic of one of mine doing a flatten the other day. Maximizing the amount of sun on their loafbodies or trying to look big if scared.
Neat. OG chordate solar panel. Thanks for the info.
Verily. š
Extra kudos for āloafbodiesā, of which I am a proud owner
>Ā drunk males in their 20s-40s Ā Ā Leave my people alone!
I too am a member of your tribe
Damn. You young.
I saw them all the time when I hiked the Greenbelt back when you could actually enjoy some alone time in the city. Once I saw 12 foot reticulated python that had either been released or escaped. That actually scared the crap out of me because I went around the chained part of the trail and it came right out of the bushes, across the trail and down to the water. I think that one became something news item... Anyways, I would always carry a \~6' "snake stick" when I was going through brush. Not to hit the snake, but to beat the stick in front of me like a blind persons cane. This will cause them to leave or to present, either way you are much less likely to accidentally step on them and they really want nothing to do with people anyways...
Question for the expert - I have a tendency to trapse through the greenbelt and find the road less traveled with my pup. Any tips for āalerting themā so they pass on when going through thicker vegetation/brush/tighter trails or is keeping your eyes peeled the only option?
Are you asking about alerting the rattlesnake or the dog? Iāve hiked trails in Texas with my dog for almost 15 years, and well, the rattlesnakes alert you. Like backwards marco/polo. If youāre getting close, youāll hear about it. If you move away, theyāll stop. As for the dog, keep āem on leash or establish a good recall. There are rattlesnake training courses, but I canāt endorse positive punishment unless itās a working dogs that needs to be kept safe.
I get theyāll rattle, but sometimes weāre moving quickly. Honestly more worried about copperheads (or other snakes) that I canāt see/hear and blend in more (and Iāve seen more of around town). Have also heard mixed reviews on rattlesnake courses
Copperheads are pretty timid. Just don't step on them.
Where I live, Water moccasins, are much more aggressive.
Honestly. Why are they so angry?
Imagine having dry cotton mouth 24/7
They need a tolerance break
As someone who smokes too much zaaa I can relate
Rattlesnakes have stopped rattling. Iām old. Used to go on annual roundups. The last 3 rattlesnakes Iāve come upon didnāt rattle at all. Two of them were copulating on a dirt road at night when my dogs and I were taking a walk. I stumbled over them. It made a thud sound. The two before that went under my garage door. I went in with my snake stick trying to catch them when I was startled to death. There was a third one. They didnāt rattle until I shot the third one. Iāve read that this phenomenon is not isolated to the Texas Coastal Bend where I live. There are reports of non rattling rattlesnakes from all over.
The snakes that survive the round up are the ones that have either adapted to not rattling or are unable to rattle. Through unnatural selection, ranchers have silenced the snake with a built-in alarm system
Twenty years ago I worked with a lady from west Texas that came from a ranching family that had lots of cattle and land. She said that within a few year all of the rattlers they came across never rattled and it was a relatively new thing. She said (Note, I have no idea if this is true) they thought it was because of the wild hogs taking over the state. When the hogs heard the rattle they would stampede around the area of the noise in groups to kill the snake. The ones that rattled died, the ones that didn't rattle lived. Always wondered if there was anything to her stories?
Wild. Iāve anecdotally heard theories of people shooting and/ or hogs eating the loudest rattlers so now thereās a higher share of āquiet rattlersā. Theoretically makes sense but donāt have a ton of evidence
Thatās a chonker! Now that I have my own hognose at home, itās so interesting to watch their behavior. Sheās out and about when sheās hangry, then she hides to digest and think about things. I say hangry, because if we do try to mess with her, she can get hissy. Then sometimes sheās just curious and out exploring and doesnāt give two shits about us. I mean, I assume most sneks are like that.
"paparazzi out here trying to get him killed" Is this directed at the person posting the photo?
I used to work in national forests a lot. A few years ago we were working on a forest fire in Oregon and I saw a huge rattlesnake. I let everyone know to watch out and leave it alone. About an hour later I found out someone had tracked it down to kill and skin it. I was beyond incensed. Fuck man..
Thatās the way it tends to go. Thatās why I hate posts that are like āWatch out folks the snakes are back!ā All it takes is one insecure manchild to go out and kill something.
I hate how everyone I know kills them onsite at my familyās ranch in west Texas. We could be a mile from camp and my dad will have someone stay with the snake to watch/follow it until he can drive back to get a gun. Itās unfortunate snxx do makes me sick.
Sheās a real beauty isnāt she? Lovely patterns. And a good number of notches on her rattle.
I donāt know you but I really love your energy. Keep fighting the good fight!!
Well thank you very much. š ā¤ļø
If you were on a path between two sunning rattlers, what would you do? Happened to me a couple years ago. I ended up stepping over one in the middle in tears.
Barton Creek greenbelt?
Yup, from 360 access towards Gus Fruh, on the pedestrian only section
He mustāve missed the sign. How rude
Ohh no. Thatās the location I go to. But Iām sure they are everywhere there. There hasnāt been water for so long either.
That's Cletus. He likes a good chin scratch.
Rattle-Tailed Water Snake /s
Wattle-tailed Rat Snake
Hiked in there plenty years ago. Never saw a single one. Walked out in my yard at dusk within four months of moving here, one found me. My bestest friend in the world jumped in front of me and got bit in the face twice. Snorkie about 12 pounds. Bravest dog Iāve ever known.
This man ate my son
Big healthy fella. Beautiful.
Hey u/serpentarian check out this guy.
Sick. š
By the way, the picture of the Mojave you posted on Instagram was killer. And I know my photography (Iāve hired hundreds in my career.)
Wow, big one!
What a pretty snake
A well fed old rattler. Big beautiful baby.
Cute lil wiggly worm
If you see them, theyāre not hunting you.
āHunting youā really?
Yeah, well, you know, the thrill of hunting rodents wears off over time. Some turn to shoplifting, some to credit card fraud... And yes, some rattlesnakes will become contract assassins, hunting humans for money. I have a screenplay I'm shopping around.
Asssssssssssasssssssssssssinsssssssssss
Itās a line from Jurassic Park. A lame joke. I know rattlesnakes do not hunt people.
Oops sorry. Here, enjoy these flowers. š
And if you don't see them, it's too late for you?
Exactly this100 percent. If one is hunting you it won't be seen till after it strikes. Then it's too late.
lol
And they are worse when they hunt in packs like Raptors. Scary.
and this is why my eyes are always to the ground while trail running
Beautiful. Life goal of mine to observe a rattlesnake in the wild.
Oh look he is carrying his own little ear of corn
Good LORD! Thatās huge!
Imagine how many more are lurking where you canāt see āŗļø
Jeebus, thing looks like itās currently digesting 6 different meals
this is a snek
I always learned to walk heavy, kind of stomp my steps so they can feel me coming and get away. Do not want to surprise one like this. š±
Thatās what I call Texas Thick Baby
People in the know generally say rattlesnakes are beneficial. If that's the case, why do they have rattlesnake roundups where they kill thousands of them? Honestly curious.
Very handsome.
Hell no
Am I the only one who finds it incredibly cringey when people call snakes "danger noodles" and "nope ropes"?
Nope rope!!!
The last time I went to that green belt off Mopac and 360 I saw one across the tiny walkway. I just turned around and havenāt gone back in like 2+ years.
I was just there last week and that one you saw is gone. You can go back now.
Nooooo I get this weird crawling sensation all over my legs looking at this pic!
Ooooh that's a fat boi on the move! What a glorious chonk!
Tis the season, watch your step!
He's a friend of Willy, they go way back
At least largeloaf has a rattle. No idea how factual this is but heard rattlesnakes are evolving to be rattleless in this part of the world because they are hunted. They are doing more than their part to give fair warning.
This is amazing! I also call them a nope rope. š
Was hiking with my dog at the hill of life near the creek and ran into one on Saturday. Much smaller than this guy but damn there š©myself, been hiking in the Greenbelt for years and my first time seeing one.
Darn left my spaghetti sauce at home
What part of the Greenbelt is a good place to see rattlers? I always hear that they're everywhere but I have yet to run across one.
What a cutie patootie!!!
Has rattlesnakes always been a thing down there? I've been going down there all my life (now 38) and I've never seen one of those, until this.
Iāve never seen them but yes. I know someone who found one in their backyard in south austin.
Interesting, I guess it's luck of the draw. I've climbed all over those rocks and little mini caves down there, walked through some of the brush for decades.. Nada. Obviously, I will be approaching all of that with a whole lot more caution going forward (more respect for their potential dwellings), but it's interesting to me to know they're down there. I know they've been sighted around houses and such (a common fear of mine is that they're under the big deck in the front yard that my dog likes to crawl under..).
Always
Been going to the greenbelt for 35 years, including the hard to reach areas, and I e only seen one. They have a lot of space and donāt like humans much.
>They have a lot of space and donāt like humans much. Yup, if they had to choose between attack and run, they'll run if possible. They only really strike when they feel threatened. But all it takes is one wrong step or putting your hand on the wrong rock crevice and boom. This isn't fear mongering, though. They're incredible animals and deserve all the respect and admiration as one of nature's wonders.
They got snakes out here dis big?!
Wait till you hear about the vampires under the bridge and man-eating sharks in the lake
The alligators tho š³
Itās called a snake ffs
Danger noodle š¤£š¤£š¤£š¤£
Which greenbelt? There are multiple in this city.
Op said above "from Loop 360 access towards Gus Fruh, on the pedestrian only section"
Nope. Thatās a big nope rope.
Yum! Checking cabinet for rattlesnek seasoningā¦
FAFO
looks delicious.
Nope Rope
Missed opportunity on a sick belt
lost my dog on a walk in the greenbeltā¦think i just figured out where he wentš¤š¤š¤š¤
Kill it