Mojave Rattlesnakes; Multiple rattlesnakes in Camp; Low Sound; Appropriate Responses
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What about caterpillars? Caught this guy defiling my Ortlieb pannier two years ago. I was worried that he might strike and do me in. Are they dangerous when they lurk around your tent, especially at night? Those spines do look like they could inflict a fatal wound. What about if I encounter one in my mom's basement?
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Okay, this is a reasonably serious situation, so please put the BS on a leash for this one.
I've had four encounters, two in less than twenty-four hours, three of the four right in camp; two of the four were "low noise." In past experiences, the rattles have been very noticeable and instantly unmistakable. The last two I barely heard. They were like a low-volume hissing. In one of those two, the snake was within striking distance, and I could have been bitten easily. In the most recent case, the snake actually started coming at me when I poked him with a stick to get him to move away. Supposedly Mojave Rattlesnakes are more aggressive.
I used to think they weren't such a big deal, kind of like a bad bee sting without the allergic reaction. That is, painful but not fatal.
Now I read this, after the latest encounter:
"Even though all rattlesnake species are venomous, this species is particularly dangerous to humans. The Mojave rattlesnake has the most potent venom of any rattlesnake in North America. Its venom is about 16 times more toxic than that of the Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) and surpasses even that of the tiger rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris)."
And it has me concerned on a new level. I am not near medical assistance at all, and a bite could be much more serious than a bee sting. And apparently there are serious neurotoxins involved in the special case of Mojave rattlesnakes, that are different from other rattlesnake toxins. And the Mojave species are not uncommon in this area.
I don't really want to kill them (for several reasons).
What if the next one has lost its rattle in a fight (one of the ones in camp had lost part of its rattle, and it isn't unusual), so little or no sound. Or what it is just low-volume like the last two, but things go a little differently next time, or at some point?
No warning.
These guys can also be hard to see. They often blend in well.
I'm a bit concerned, and am open to any thoughtful and constructive suggestions.
I've had four encounters, two in less than twenty-four hours, three of the four right in camp; two of the four were "low noise." In past experiences, the rattles have been very noticeable and instantly unmistakable. The last two I barely heard. They were like a low-volume hissing. In one of those two, the snake was within striking distance, and I could have been bitten easily. In the most recent case, the snake actually started coming at me when I poked him with a stick to get him to move away. Supposedly Mojave Rattlesnakes are more aggressive.
I used to think they weren't such a big deal, kind of like a bad bee sting without the allergic reaction. That is, painful but not fatal.
Now I read this, after the latest encounter:
"Even though all rattlesnake species are venomous, this species is particularly dangerous to humans. The Mojave rattlesnake has the most potent venom of any rattlesnake in North America. Its venom is about 16 times more toxic than that of the Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) and surpasses even that of the tiger rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris)."
And it has me concerned on a new level. I am not near medical assistance at all, and a bite could be much more serious than a bee sting. And apparently there are serious neurotoxins involved in the special case of Mojave rattlesnakes, that are different from other rattlesnake toxins. And the Mojave species are not uncommon in this area.
I don't really want to kill them (for several reasons).
What if the next one has lost its rattle in a fight (one of the ones in camp had lost part of its rattle, and it isn't unusual), so little or no sound. Or what it is just low-volume like the last two, but things go a little differently next time, or at some point?
No warning.
These guys can also be hard to see. They often blend in well.
I'm a bit concerned, and am open to any thoughtful and constructive suggestions.
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What about caterpillars? Caught this guy defiling my Ortlieb pannier two years ago. I was worried that he might strike and do me in. Are they dangerous when they lurk around your tent, especially at night? Those spines do look like they could inflict a fatal wound. What about if I encounter one in my mom's basement?
#31
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Actually, those hairs deter predators. Odds are that's one of the nasties where the hairs break off in your skin and can cause a lot of pain and inflammation. https://www.poison.org/articles/2014...rpillar-stings
I had a rattler ambush a jay in the dry leaves next to the little-used hike 'n' bike site atop Palomar Mountain years ago. Lots of leaves, six inches deep on the picnic table when I climbed up the little trail to the isolated site. I didn't do anything because at the same time the rest of the jays were scolding something hidden in the brush next to the campsite that was watching me. I left the snake swallowing the jay to go take a shower and attend the campfire program, but did a good search of the site when I got back to make sure it was gone. Hopefully whatever was in the brush was just a raccoon or coyote, and not a mountain lion, but it never made another appearance.
I had a rattler ambush a jay in the dry leaves next to the little-used hike 'n' bike site atop Palomar Mountain years ago. Lots of leaves, six inches deep on the picnic table when I climbed up the little trail to the isolated site. I didn't do anything because at the same time the rest of the jays were scolding something hidden in the brush next to the campsite that was watching me. I left the snake swallowing the jay to go take a shower and attend the campfire program, but did a good search of the site when I got back to make sure it was gone. Hopefully whatever was in the brush was just a raccoon or coyote, and not a mountain lion, but it never made another appearance.
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Beware the dreaded Puss Caterpillar! https://m.ranker.com/list/caterpilla...ic-vega?page=2
If you have rattlesnakes in camp you can either kill them or move on. I’m a great believer in “live and let live” but not when the thing I’m letting live may not share the same generous and enlightened attitude towards me! If I meet a snake on the trail I tip my hat to him and ride on but I stand firm about sharing a tent with one. And there’s no shortage of snakes to replace one.
If you have rattlesnakes in camp you can either kill them or move on. I’m a great believer in “live and let live” but not when the thing I’m letting live may not share the same generous and enlightened attitude towards me! If I meet a snake on the trail I tip my hat to him and ride on but I stand firm about sharing a tent with one. And there’s no shortage of snakes to replace one.
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Just as I was looking at the article again, my kid starts talking about the new Diamondback Syn'r.
I made the obvious joke. His mom was not amused.
I made the obvious joke. His mom was not amused.
#36
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Uhh, don't poke the snake with a stick?
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I actually saw a beef road-kill (i.e., cow) on my way into Island in the Sky a few weeks ago.
#39
Non omnino gravis
As a meat for eatin', rattlesnake is, at best, okay. Better than frog, IMO. But snake is oily, and as snakes have pretty much no fat, it can be tough. Not fishy at least, which is good (frog is like a chicken-fish hybrid.) Snake is kinda one of those things you eat to say you've eaten it.
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Probably just needs the right dipping sauce. With curley fries. 🤔😁 I'm not very big on hot dogs, but the right chili & a decent bun can transform them into something semi-decent. 🙂
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"There has never been a successful escape, from Harris Feed Lot."
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A few points:
First, how toxic the venom is doesn't mean anything unless it's coupled with the dose the snake delivers. I think I remember reading, some years back, that the only rattlesnake in the U.S. that can kill a 175 pound man is the eastern diamondback, because it's big and has correspondingly large venom sacs.
Second, physical barriers can protect you. Put on blue jeans and wear shoes in camp, if that's where you're most worried. Save the shorts and sandals for places where you're not so scared.
Third, back out of striking range. Obvious, I know, but it needs to be said. Cowardly? Maybe. Safe and rational? Definitely.
First, how toxic the venom is doesn't mean anything unless it's coupled with the dose the snake delivers. I think I remember reading, some years back, that the only rattlesnake in the U.S. that can kill a 175 pound man is the eastern diamondback, because it's big and has correspondingly large venom sacs.
Second, physical barriers can protect you. Put on blue jeans and wear shoes in camp, if that's where you're most worried. Save the shorts and sandals for places where you're not so scared.
Third, back out of striking range. Obvious, I know, but it needs to be said. Cowardly? Maybe. Safe and rational? Definitely.
Deadly or not, I don't want to be bitten by any venomous snake. It would quickly bring your tour to an end.
-Matt
#44
Really? Boneheaded move! In everyone of your earlier paranoid-posts I and others mentioned not messing with wild critters.
Maybe you need to stay home, watch TV, & play video games.
Maybe you need to stay home, watch TV, & play video games.
Last edited by BigAura; 04-29-19 at 06:23 PM.
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#47
Fortunately the OP didn't get that far, but he did poke-it-with-a-stick which every rattlesnake-warning-guide, posted in parks & nature recreation areas, tell you NOT to do.
I also find it disturbing that the OP mentions his fleeting thought of killing it!
I also find it disturbing that the OP mentions his fleeting thought of killing it!