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Mr Magoo meets the serpent ....or, snake etiquette. (8 posts)
|  Mr Magoo meets the serpent ....or, snake etiquette. | Mr Magoo
Aug 10, 2002 1:35 PM | | This morning during a slow solo climb, a 5 foot rattlesnake crossed the trail about 5 feet in front of me. I froze, it stopped and rattled lazily at me. After a few minutes of this, I wished to go on my way, but with the rattler lounging alongside the trail, I was hesitant, but not about to turn around. I eventually inched by with about an 8 foot space, but was tempted from a safe 15 foot down-trail space to toss a stick or rock to hasten it along. After safely passing up trail, I observed it setting up shop next to a dead tree, holding its head alongside a short branch so I guess it wanted to hunt there.
This oddity is not occurring in Phoenix, but 12 miles south of Boston, on Blue Hills trail. I saw a bigger one nearby last year. Snakes are not a way of life for me here. Maybe some southwesterner can help me. I rip down this trail on the way back and probably would have bent it in half. Yikes. |
| re: Mr Magoo meets the serpent ....or, snake etiquette. | Yeti_Rider
Aug 10, 2002 10:20 PM | | When we encounter a rattler on a climb we just let it cross the trail and we go on our way. If he's a bit hesitant because he's been sunning or because he just thinks he owns teh trail :o) then we will coax him along by squirting him with a little water from our bottles or hydration packs.
On the descents, if I see him in time I will try to bunny-hop over him but generally even if you go right over him he won't die. I've been told that due to poor eyesight a snake will strike at the first thing it sees which is generally the front tire. I was instructed to keep my feet level so they're as high as they can be. I've never been struck at so I don't know if this works but there's no shortage of rattlers in San Diego.
My biggest fear isn't encountering one on the bike, it's crashing and landing on or near one frightening it causing it to strike.
Michael |
| re: Mr Magoo meets the serpent ....or, snake etiquette. | Bonee
Aug 11, 2002 4:59 PM | | "My biggest fear isn't encountering one on the bike, it's crashing and landing on or near one frightening it causing it to strike..."
Ditto. I was once pissing on a bush when one started to rattle on the other side of the same bush. Nearly pissed my pants...errr...all over myself.
For those that have never seen one (or heard one) rattle, it is quite loud and personally freaks out. |
| Having jumped a rattler on the Kokopelli trail . . . | Pavlov's Dog
Aug 12, 2002 9:13 AM | | (and almost crashed) I've always wondered: How far can one strike? |
| timber rattler, you did good | club
Aug 11, 2002 6:38 AM | | yup, there's some really big timber rattlers in the northeast. thanks for not being an idiot and trying to smash it dead with a rock or something, as way too many people would do. I stood down two yahoo cowboys at the 93 cactus cup that were about to smash a rattler, told them if they don't leave it be, we're going to fight. then some other spectators joined me, and the yahoos backed down. when you see one, just enjoy the sight, better rattlers than being overrun by plague-carrying vermin. snakes are our friends. |
| Good info. Does color tell anything? | Mr Magoo
Aug 11, 2002 7:42 AM | | I saw a longer fatter slower one last year. Brown with yellow box/diamond pattern on its back. Yesterday's was more golden yellow on the brown spectrum. very skinny at the neck, almost black at the rattles. Is this evidence of a new skin, its age, or ability to blend? |
| same species, various colorations | club
Aug 12, 2002 5:51 AM | | yeah, there's a lot of variation in timber rattler coloration. Some are real dark, others lighter with brighter yellow. they're a pretty snake. ever see that animal show with the crazy aussie guy? He was in W Va once hunting rattlers; he'd reach, blind, way under an overhang and pull them out by the tail for the camera, finding them by feel. |
| bravo club | atomiclotusbox®
Aug 11, 2002 8:50 AM | | buddha would be proud. its good to see someone standing up for what is right. |
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