Eleven Plus a Button
Longtime residents of West Texas can probably guess the reference of the title of this post, but in case it escapes you, here's the context:
This is the non-lethal end of a rattlesnake. Depending on how you want to count them, this snake has ten or eleven rattles, plus the beginning of another one (the "button").
It's a myth that you can judge the age of a rattlesnake by the number of rattles, but this one had been around long enough to reach the length of almost four feet, and was mobile enough to reach the entrance of our neighborhood. Fortunately (for us, not him), someone had dispatched him earlier today so he was no longer a threat, other than as a shudder-inducing agent for those so disposed.
It is a bit unnerving to think that rattlesnakes are still moving around despite the lateness of the season and the cool nighttime temperatures. I guess it may be another few weeks before they all go into hibernation.
Blunt force trauma to the head. I'd say the Ramcharger isn't far off-base. I wanted to respect the delicate sensibilities of my readers, so I passed on the full-length photo.
Posted by: Eric at November 2, 2008 05:41 PMAs one of your delicate readers, I thank you :)
Posted by: Deborah at November 2, 2008 05:58 PMDid George and Daphne see it?
Posted by: Phyllis at November 2, 2008 06:59 PMCurious if that was the snake I ran over. Off A street between Mockingbird and the alley? I didn't mean to although after getting confirmation from my husband it was a rattlesnake I'm not actually sorry. Surely he was on his way to my backyard eventually. Interesting because a car was passing me right as I saw it so I couldn't move. I turned back around to take a look after. For some reason I'm both fascinated and afraid of these guys...
Posted by: Sherry at November 2, 2008 09:56 PMSherry, it has to be the same snake, because that's the right location. Did you run over it this morning or early afternoon? I snapped this photo around 12:45 pm.
I understand your ambivalence toward killing the snake. If it's out of town, away from neighborhoods, I tend to leave 'em alone. But when it's a possible or even likely threat – as this one obviously was, heading toward our homes – then it's got to be dispatched.
Posted by: Eric at November 2, 2008 10:08 PMWow! Glad we didn't encounter any of its friends or family when you let me go along for Abbye's walk!
Posted by: Margaret at November 2, 2008 10:55 PMIt happened Saturday afternoon around 3:30 on my way home from the $100 store (Target). Must have preserved well. The whole thing was odd because I thought I hit it then turned back around to look and he was doing his snake thing and I thought okay cool I didn't, then he flipped his head over and I saw the blood so I must have just nipped him enough. My father-in-law took a look this morning and thought it was a diamond back rattlesnake (as compared to what I forget). Believe me, between him and my husband I get a lot of education on good snakes vs..... evil? :) Thanks for the picture.
Posted by: Sherry at November 3, 2008 12:55 PMAbout the publisher
Random Abbye photos...
Angry Clouds
I am Curious Llama
Ganglia & Brain Cloud
Cabeza del Diablo
Aurora Moreorless
Be careful Who you plagiarize
Coming Attractions
All Thorns, All the Time
Hitchin' a Ride
"...the flower fades..."
Finding meaning in random events
Random Thursday: The Thanksgiving Edition
A Matter of Perception
Reason #21 to wear shoes in West Texas
The Neighborhood:
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[Midland unless otherwise indicated]
Other Texas Blogs:
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The World:
um ... how was it dispatched?
Posted by: Deborah at November 2, 2008 05:37 PMMachete? Hoe? .410? Dodge Ramcharger?