Snake Post for my reptile enthusiast

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Thought this might be neat for my fellow snake keepers. I have recently adopted a snake that was part of a telemetry study at a local university. He is older and it was deemed he is best kept in by an experienced keeper rather than let go in the wild. He is a tiger rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris). Such a beautiful creature and such a privilege for me to care for him. He will be the 3rd rattlesnake in our care.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Highly venomous from what I understand, but you will be careful I'm sure!
Was he too friendly to be let go? I've known a few "friendly venomous snake" types in life.
How old is an older rattlesnake? Do they live a long time?

 

[OttoVonRuthless316]

Beautiful rattlesnake! Thanks for adopting and caring for it! Love snakes!

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

You are correct this is actually the most potent venom of any snake in north america. It is both neurotoxic and hemotoxic. Thankfully they aren’t encountered by humans as much due to their shy nature and living in rocky areas of higher elevation. They live 20 years or more, this one is approx 11 years old and spent much time with humans to the point where he doesn’t fear them. That and unfortunate development of his original area are the reasons it was decided he was best left in my care.
He isn’t friendly, but tolerates handling with snake hooks and general moving associated with care and maintenance. My Western Diamondback and Speckled Rattlers could be considered friendly as I’ve had them since birth and they’ve only ever known my care. I don’t free handle any of them since they are pit vipers and could kill me or leave me with a bad time and some insane medical bills.

 

[rheashard2]

Glad you adopted him. He's beautiful.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

I feel so privileged to care for him. I named him Dr. Krieger sticking with my Archer theme for my venomous snakes. Included some pics of Archer and Cyril as well.

 

[nkrbkr]

No Pam or Cheryl?

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

No Pam or Cheryl?

Not yet, but I may take on more as time goes on. Rattlers are my favorite!

 

[wrench13]

I used to be associated with the New York Herpetological Society, when it was in existence and kept many snakes, venomous and not. Beautiful examples.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

I used to be associated with the New York Herpetological Society, when it was in existence and kept many snakes, venomous and not. Beautiful examples.

That is awesome. I know folks here where I live that are part of the Herp Soc that we have locally. I help out the reptile rescue by supplying feeders (which i breed) and help with placement when I can. I’ve met a lot of people in the reptile community in my area. Some are keepers like myself and others are part of the herp society, fish and game, and local colleges. I have many species of non venomous snakes in my care but started to care for rattlers when I took classes on how to safely remove them from peoples property. From there I met another venomous keeper who taught me best practices on keeping and safe handling.

These animals play such a vital role in the eco system. Part of why I keep and share them is to spread the knowledge of their importance and help educate people that they aren’t evil or out to get anyone.

Trying to stifle this idea that they need to be killed if you see one on your property cause that is just ignorance. Just leave it be or call a pro to remove them if need be. Please son’t harm them.

 

[rheashard2]

I am not interested in handling snakes. The family farm in Oklahoma had various venomous snakes. Water moccasins to rattlers. We were forbidden to harm them. We were instructed that if the snakes were there then rats etc were not. That's been my attitude. Although I admit it is kinda scary having a diamond back rattler blocking path to outhouse. Especially being a city kid who objected to chamber pots and outhouses.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Funny enough the areas around where I live that have driven the snakes out now have a rat problem

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You are correct this is actually the most potent venom of any snake in north america. It is both neurotoxic and hemotoxic. Thankfully they aren’t encountered by humans as much due to their shy nature and living in rocky areas of higher elevation. They live 20 years or more, this one is approx 11 years old and spent much time with humans to the point where he doesn’t fear them. That and unfortunate development of his original area are the reasons it was decided he was best left in my care.
He isn’t friendly, but tolerates handling with snake hooks and general moving associated with care and maintenance. My Western Diamondback and Speckled Rattlers could be considered friendly as I’ve had them since birth and they’ve only ever known my care. I don’t free handle any of them since they are pit vipers and could kill me or leave me with a bad time and some insane medical bills.

Do the even have an antivenom for Tiger Rattlesnakes? I used to watch that snake bite guy on TV out of Loma Linda in So Cal. I wouldn't want a venomous snakebite! I do like and respect snakes. I wouldn't hurt any reptile. I have to laugh at the big grown men here in Maine who are viscerally afraid of Garter Snakes and jump on chairs like little girls!

 

[rheashard2]

Funny enough the areas around where I live that have driven the snakes out now have a rat problem

I agree 1000%. When we moved into house, we had snakes and 0 mice or rats. I used care around their area. My daughter came back from her tour of duty. Made the snakes life uncomfortable. Snakes left. Now we have mice or rats most winters!

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Do the even have an antivenom for Tiger Rattlesnakes? I used to watch that snake bite guy on TV out of Loma Linda in So Cal. I wouldn't want a venomous snakebite! I do like and respect snakes. I wouldn't hurt any reptile. I have to laugh at the big grown men here in Maine who are viscerally afraid of Garter Snakes and jump on chairs like little girls!

CroFab is used to treat all north american pit viper bites including the Tiger Rattler. They may use other meds to treat neurologic effects of the venom though. I know a few people who have been bitten and it does not look fun thats for sure. I am beyond careful when handling them and never free handle them for any reason. Most of my non venomous snakes have bitten me and the rattlers would be no different. Any species with heat sensing pits in their face will strike at a warm object rather its a prey item or your hand.

 

[wrench13]

While we never handled our venomous snakes, we would handle most of the others. One, a Cooks Tree Boa, has the longest fangs of any non-venomous snakes. In general all arboreal (tree dwelling) snakes have longer fangs in the front of the mouth, due to their main prey, birds. THe long fangs help reach through feathers to get the prey. And most are ungodly fast too, also to help catching their main prey. We used to get plastered and take bets to see if we could grab the Cook's boa without getting nailed. Next morning - compare cuts and bite marks on hands to see who won! Usually the snake.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Yessir some scary teeth. These pics are a couple of my arboreal snakes. The green tree python has bitten me and locked on for nearly 8 minutes. The emerald tree boa I don’t even attempt to free handle. He is fairly aggressive and always looking for an opportunity to bite. The green tree python is actually fairly tame and easy to handle now, the bite occurred shortly after I got him.