Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-05-12

AZ bIltl tlldIl HAL llltU length, lie
pointed out. After the rope is thrown
over their heads it is an easy matter
to drag them to captivity.
mathematics are quite plentiful in
most of the arid sections of Montana"
Sweet said. There are about 40 diff
ferent species in the United States,
consisting of the small 'side-winder"
the large diamond back" of Florida
and Texas, which sometimes attain the
length of eight feet and weigh Is
pounds. All are very poisonous and
bites are fatal in a good many cases
unless quick aid of the suction tube is
administered Immediately.
They belong to the family crotalidae
and have one rattle when born They
thrive in semi-arid, particularly rocky
limestone formations. They have been
found in Mexico at elevations as high
as l4,500 feet: in California at eleva-
tons of II 900 feet, but in Montana they
are rarely found higher than $500
feet elevation as our climate is more
rigorous.
Kill Off Rodents
"Rattlers are of considerable econom-
&c Importance in many areas, since
they serve as check on destructive
rodents, however, 1 would hardly
recommend their protection. 1t would
be better if they could be replaced with
=. L
tleSnakeS are diurnal in spring and
fall, they are largely nocturnal in sum-
mer. In colder climates rattlers hiber-
nate together in large numbers. going
into Information about mid-October
and emerging in mid-April.
Rattlers are secretive and mild when
approached, They will usually remain
quiet IN order to avoid detection, and
when discovered will endeavor to es-
cape II given the opportunity. It is
only when they are frightened or cor
nered that they will stand their ground
with strident warning to the in
truder. They will not strike unless dis
turoed or frightened. They do not al
ways rattle before striking. They can
bite without coiling, but cannot strike
without first throwing themselves into
a loose IS" shaped coil The strike
snake. ''A.
"A big RATHER, thoroughly alarmed,
IS certainly something both to see and
near near not only is the rattle sounded
continuously but the cornered snake
inhales and eXhales with a violent
hiss, with body flattened. A large rat
tier can puncture thin flexible leather
since rattleSnakes are not naturally
VICIOUS, and do not attack unless dis
turoed, the principal danger to hiker
or hunter results from walking along
a iran without watching his step, SO
seen, might be trod upon
Poison Their Prey
Ratt!esnakes always strike and poi
son their prey: that is what the venom
Is lof AS means of defense, it is
secondary and incidental. The prey is
struck but not held by the RATHER. The
venom. and are then eaten, usually
head first. 4'
Our rattlesnakes mate in the spring
ana their young are born alive. and
are not Matched from eggs. Broods
vary from five to 80, but average 10
Har ropes, of course, are entirely
ineffective in keeping rattlesnakes out
OF camp. A snake which does not hes
itate TO crawl over cactus could hardly
be expected to notice a hair rope.
Rattlesnakes in captivity quickly be-
come lethargic.
Their fangs are two greatly elon-
gated curved teeth at front of upper
"a" through which the deadly venom
is forced. The fangs are replaced at
regular intervals. even though broken.
The venom is yellow in color.
Can't Stand Hot Sun
'Rattlesnakes cannot stand direct
heat OF the hot summer sun. Under ex-
IRENE heat in the sun they will die in
10 minutes. They feed at weekly inter-
yals. They do not eat in captivity. They
do not charm their prey Males can be
distinguished from females by rela-
lively thicker and longer tails The
mortality among small rattlesnakes is
high.
'Rattlesnake skins are used in the
manufacture of belts. slippers, hat
nands, purses, etc. In Florida, the meat
IS canned on commercial basis.
large RATHER can be clearly heard
at distance of approximately 100 feet.
me first rattle is always lost with first
shedding of skin.
The long-existent theory that par
ent rattlesnakes swallow their young
for protection is not true. Rattlers do
not go blind in August, as naturally
supposed.
In conclusion, give the RATHER plenty
or room. Keep your distance, and you
will have no bad results"