Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-05-13
Hair Rope Is No Protection
From Rattlesnake Invasion

| they serve as a check on destructive
rodents. however, I would hardly
recommend their protection. 1t would
be better If they could be replaced with
other non-p poisonous snakes. While rat
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 If given the opportunity. 1t is
only when they are frightened or cor
nered that they will stand their ground
with a strident warning to the in
truder. They will not strike unless dis
turbed 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
rarely exceeds half the length Of the
snake.
"A big RATHER, thoroughly alarmed,
is certainly something both to see and
hear. 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
turbed, the principal danger to hiker
or hunter results from walking along
a trail without watching his step, so
that the rattler, which has not been
seen, might be trod upon
Poison Their Prey
Rattlesnakes always strike and poi
son their prey; that is what the venom |
Is for. AS a means of defense, 1t Is |
secondary and incidental. The prey Is /
struck but not held by the rattler. The |
small animals quickly succumb to the |
venom and are then eaten, usually |
head first.
Our rattlesnakes mate in the spring
and their young are born alive, and |
are not Matched from eggs. Broods
vary from five to go but average 10.
Hair ropes. of course, are entirely
ineffective in keeping rattlesnakes out
OF a camp. A snake which does not hes
ltate 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 eIon-
gated curved teeth at front of upper
Jaw through which the deadly venom
IS forced. The fangs are replaced at
GUAR AilCcI NdlS, even buOu6Q broken.
The venom is yellow in color.
Can't Stand Hot Sun
'Rattlesnakes cannot stand direct
heat of the hot summer sun. Under ex-
RENE heat in the sun they will die in
IS minutes. They feed at weekly inter-
yals. They do not eat in captivity. They
10 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
lands, purses, etc. In Florida, the meat
S canned on commercial basis.
"A large rattler can be clearly heard
t distance of approximately 100 feet
he first rattle is always lost with first
bedding of skin.
The long-existent theory that par
mt rattlesnakes swallow their young
or protection is not true Rattlers do
lot go blind in August, as naturally
In conclusion, give the RATHER plenty
room. Keep your distance, and you
I'LL have no bad results"