Wichita eagle., 1886-09-28
RATTLESNAKES.
A MAN WHO HAS BEEN CATCHING
THEM FOR YEARS.

A Good Price Paid for the Reptiles to
Put in Museums-How to bag the
Snakes Their characteristics - Oil.
Bite.-what They Eat.
The demand for rattlesnakes for museums,
menageries, side shows and for exhibition at
agricultural fairs in the large country towns
is yearly On the increase and is evidence that,
in spite of the repulsive appearance Of tho
reptiles, there is something about them that is
certain to attract attention. and which in
duces the Snowman to pay well for fine speci-
mems for exhibition. Among the persons en-
gagged in capturing these snakes to supply this
demand none have been more successful than
John Geer, Of Long Eddy, who has been
known to ship as many as fifty-four at one
time, and who once received an order from
Cincinnati for 100 from one person.
Catching rattlesnakes is by no means very
difficult or dangerous occupation, though it
may seem to be SO to those unacquainted with
the habits of the reptiles, and who only think
OF them with shudder at the thought Of a
bite from fangs which contain so deadly a
poison. Armed simply with stick five or six
feet long, to ono end Of which is attached an
iron hook, and another stick about half as
long, to one end of which is tied a good stout
cord, the loose end of which terminates in
loop-slipping moose, and accompanied by an
assistant carrying a bag or sack, the rattle
snake catcher is ready for work. He repairs
upon warm day in spring to the "dens" in
search of snakes The 'dens" are spots upon
the barrens of loose stone or openings under
lodges Of rocks, through which the reptiles
crawl to their winter quarters, and to which
they go on the first appearance Of cold weather
in the fall and remain till the return of warm
weather in the spring.
HOW TO BAG THE SNAKES
When first recalled to conscious life by the
appearance Of warm weather, these snakes
crawl to the open air, at first carefully shield
ing themselves from the direct rays Of the
sun and becoming gradually used to the light
and heat by keeping for few days under the
edge OF the stones or in the crevices Of the
rocks. After lying about the dens in a semi
torpid condition for several days, and having
regained their normal condition after their
long winters sleep in underground darkness,
they start out on their summers cruise in
search of food
While thus lying dumpishly about the den
the snake catcher takes advantage Of their
lethargic condition. With his hook he draws
them out from their comfortable quarters,
and, hastily slipping the moose over their
heads, drops them into the bag, which is held
open by his assistant With knife he cuts
the string a. near the animals head q safety
will warrant, and then Axing another moose,
is ready for moro snakes. In this manner
sometimes twenty or thirty, or even more,
may b caught in one day. They seldom
struggle in tie bag, end never try to bite.
Seeming to undsrstanl th>A they are power
less, they willingly submit - the inevitable
John Geer has been known to throw over his
shoulders o tag containing sixteen large rat
tlesnakes and carry them without fear of in
jury.
VARIOUS PARTICULARS.
The number Of rattles is generally supposed
to indicate the age Of tho snake, year being
allowed for each one. But they frequently
lose them and it is no uncommon occurrence
to find a very large snake with but few rattles
and sometimes with none, and in like manner
a comparatively small one with large
number.
By many persons it is supposed that the
black rattlesnake is the female and the yellow
the male. But color is no distinction of sex.
The rattlesnake travels by night as well as by |
day, and in the course of the season frequently |
gets several miles from its den, to which, how
ever, it invariably returns on the first ap- |
pearance of cold weather, unless it has been !
disturbed there, and then it seeks other |
quarters.
The rattlesnake swinls with great ease, float
ing lightly upon the water with its rattles |
held up to keep them from getting wet It is
supposed that tho rattlesrake can
not climb, but one was killed few years since
upon q beam in q tannery while it was ut least
ten feet from the ground.
Rattlesnakes feed on rats, mice, SQUIRRELS.
birds, frogs, toads and rabbits and in living
in wait for their prey exhibit patience that
would be credit to Job. They seldom bite,
even when they have an opportunity, unless
rritated or trodden upon. They cannot strike
unless coilcd or partially so, and cannot reach
more than One-haf or two-thirds their length.
While their gastrononlic capacity is very
yreat "a good sized snake will make way with
l full grown rabbit at a single meaD their
ability to fast is equally as wonderful. There
ire many well attested instances of their liy-
Eg for two years without eatingl
Among the people living in the country in
ested by them their oil is held in great repute
or the cure of ear ache, deafness, stiff joints
md various other ills, and sells readily at 81
Ter ounce, while their gall preserved in chalk
S regarded as an excellent remedy for fever.
10 remedy for their poisonous bite is known
o the medical fraternity, and it is generally
cgarded as incurable, though an occasional
ure is effected by the liberal use of whisky.
New York World