Strange Rattler Behavior
- ElPaso2008
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Strange Rattler Behavior
Today when the leaving the canyon I was in the jeep and came across a young rattler laying across the left side of the trail. It was a young Blacktail. It was fully stretched out and did not move when I drove the jeep within about four feet of it. I wasn't going to run over it, so I drove into the brush on the right side of the trail to avoid it, but there was not a lot of room over there. The front tire passed within 8 inches of its head. But it did not coil up, or move at all, not a muscle. Thinking it might be dead, I stopped to look, and it flashed its tongue. But that's all. It was only about 2 1/2 feet long and only had four small rattles. It did have a bulge in its body about 1/3 of the way down the length of the snake.
Do you suppose it was sick, or do they ever behave this way after eating?
Do you suppose it was sick, or do they ever behave this way after eating?
- reptilist
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Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
No, he's not sick....Just making use of his presumed natural camouflage while taking a nap. Blacktails are normally a very self confident species that don't usually show much fear.
- ElPaso2008
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Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
Makes sense. He was long gone later. These are really interesting snakes. Strangely, whatever fear I have of being bitten by one is outweighed by the fascination.reptilist wrote:No, he's not sick....Just making use of his presumed natural camouflage while taking a nap. Blacktails are normally a very self confident species that don't usually show much fear.
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Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
Yes, and 2 1/2 feet is far from being a baby. When baby blacktails are born (born live, not hatched from eggs) they are approximately 10-12" in length. Rattlesnakes are born with a button (the tip of the rattle) and gain another segment with their first shed, usually within 7-10 days. After that, they gain anew segment each time they shed. The number of segments has nothing to do with age. So, even though your Blacktail Rattler (Crotalus m. molossus) had 4 segments, it does not mean he was 4 years old. See>>>
http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Snakes-Subp ... ossus.html
http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Snakes-Subp ... ossus.html
Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
Jerry,
thanks for the citation on Nowak, I picked up a book with one of her papers last week. ( C. atrox at Tuzigoot Nat Mon)
Have you seen Reed and Douglas's paper on CV abyssus along the Little Colorado? A very small range, constrained by the river in front and the cliffs behind. 2002 I think. I can find it if you are interested.
Sycamore
thanks for the citation on Nowak, I picked up a book with one of her papers last week. ( C. atrox at Tuzigoot Nat Mon)
Have you seen Reed and Douglas's paper on CV abyssus along the Little Colorado? A very small range, constrained by the river in front and the cliffs behind. 2002 I think. I can find it if you are interested.
Sycamore
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Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
Erika Nowak's big translocation study was at Montezuma Castle and involved Blacktails and WDBs. As for the paper you mentioned, I have seen it. My son has worked on a number of studies with Mike Douglas and Gordon Schuett over the years and still provides them with data when he can. I have seen the paper you mentioned but thanks for the offer.
As for the snake you mentioned, it is now considered a subspecies of Crotalus oreganus (See>>> http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Snakes-Subp ... ganus.html ) but Douglas, et al, on the basis of extensive DNA sampling, consider it to be a separate species. Notice the initials "MJF" on the big picture in the link. That was taken by my son, Marty.
As for the snake you mentioned, it is now considered a subspecies of Crotalus oreganus (See>>> http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Snakes-Subp ... ganus.html ) but Douglas, et al, on the basis of extensive DNA sampling, consider it to be a separate species. Notice the initials "MJF" on the big picture in the link. That was taken by my son, Marty.
Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
Jerry,
I read some of the papers on the renaming of the C. viridis, I am just used to the older nomenclature. Also, the paper I was referring to predates the renaming and refers to abyssus as C v abyssus.
Thanks,
Sycamore
I read some of the papers on the renaming of the C. viridis, I am just used to the older nomenclature. Also, the paper I was referring to predates the renaming and refers to abyssus as C v abyssus.
Thanks,
Sycamore
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Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
WOW what a fantastic shot. Marty's photo is very impressive, such detail and good DOF (Depth of Field).
Don....
Don....
- Apache Devil
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Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
I have never yet encountered a blacktail. Thus far my list of rattlers is rather small. In the wild I have encountered Great Basin rattler, western diamondback, sidewinder, western rattler, mojave rattler, red diamond southern Pacific and prairie. For a brief time I had a beautiful juvenile copperhead until it perished of gluttony after eating a mouselet that was too large for it. I need to enlarge my rattler resume.
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Re: Strange Rattler Behavior
Desert Cruiser wrote, "WOW what a fantastic shot. Marty's photo is very impressive, such detail and good DOF (Depth of Field).
Don...."
I wish I could say I taught him everything he knows but he learned photography all on his own.
Don...."
I wish I could say I taught him everything he knows but he learned photography all on his own.