These take place in Pennsylvania and involve native timber rattlesnakes. Some people close to these events say that snakes are often not returned to the localities where they were captured. The species is in decline throughout its range, so conservation efforts are hampered by roundups. Rattlesnake roundups originated to rid areas of animals deemed dangerous to human beings. They continue today mainly for profit and entertainment.
Some towns raise tens of thousands of dollars at the events.
Amusement is taken from risk-taking behavior, including daredevil shows in which participants dangerously place themselves in contact with venomous snakes. Snake meat is sold to eat on the premises and to take home. Chinese and other Asian people purchase rattlesnake gall bladders at the roundups to sell them at a high markup back in their homelands for use in traditional medicine. Others dramatically exaggerate numbers of people bitten by rattlesnakes or invoke financial benefits. Animal activists and organizations work to end rattlesnake roundups, but, because of strong support from local politicians, progress is slow.