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Wednesday, March 23 2011

Springtime brings rattlesnake warnings

By Cindy Steinle
Wed, March 23 2011 at 10:25

A sharp rattle while walking outside may be a welcome sound to herpers, but for most others, it's a cause for fear.

Rattlesnakes are one of the most feared creatures in the Southwest, and warming spring weather brings them out of their burrows in search of food. From the Edwards Air Force Base newsletter:

When it comes to snakes, staying away is staying safe.

The best way to avoid getting bitten by any snake is to simply stay away from it, base biologists say. When outdoors, Team Edwards members should always watch where they put their hands and feet. If walking through dense shrubs or vegetation, heavy long pants and high boots should be worn.

From MyFOXphoenix.com, much of the same advice:

If you cross paths with a rattlesnake, the rule is to take one step away.
"One step away from the snake will put you a mile away out of trouble, a snake can only strike about one third to half of its total body length," says Marchand.
3 feet away is a safe distance -- and the Herpetological Society says it's a myth the snake will not chase after you.

This one, however, also from MyFOXphoenix, raised some hackles in among herpers, rightly so. The video below will show why.

Sunny Days Bring Out the Snakes: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

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Yep, that spot by FOX definitely ruffled my feathers...since when is it ok to pour gasoline on the ground to bring a hiding snake up? What's more, when taken to task for this behavior, Russ Johnson (president of the Phoenix Herp Society) called me out with false claims...He has since acknowledged that he was wrong regarding these claims, but still took the opportunity to state that I was trying to discredit his organization, even after the truth was known...

I'm sorry Russ...you don't need my help with discrediting your organization...any ecologically aware person that sees this most likely feels as I do. Playing the "political game" by attempting to deflect attention from the conduct of your volunteer onto those that bring this conduct to light only makes you look like a fool.

#1 Kris on 2011-03-24 02:18 (Reply)

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Wednesday, March 23 2011

Springtime brings rattlesnake warnings

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