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Yes, snakes can bite from a prone position. They can be lazing by the pool, drinking iced tea, smoking a cigarette, getting a backrub, and still roll out and bite you before you know what's happened!

The only close calls I've had were when I was working (I am a surveyor), and was concentrating on my job more than I was thinking about snakes underfoot.

People are always asking me if I have ever been bitten by a rattler in the course of my hobby... I never have, and I don't really have close calls because I have a very healthy respect for venom, and I am very careful....
Except one time...I had a close call once when I grabbed a Western Diamondback that was trying to flee. I used my short snake tongs and just happened to catch it towards the backend, giving it plenty of freedom to whip around in a circle and grab hold of the tongs...somewhat close to where my hand was. After that I bought some longer tongs.

For me its obvious that the rattlesnake will feel hurt if you spray the pepper spray in its body. But I don't know that if the rattlesnake will die.

Cruelty to animals is not something I condone... I can think of many ways to dispatch a snake that are not as cruel.

I agree

pepper spray is a very effective weapon, especially if you spray in the snake...

TradClimber posted on 5/7/09:

Why not just walk away?

TradClimber and I often disagree. But he's probably right in this case.

TradClimber

TradClimber wrote:TradClimber posted on 5/7/09:

Why not just walk away?

TradClimber and I often disagree. But he's probably right in this case.

TradClimber

You two should get along since you have so much in common....

Guz
I hardly know TradClimber. Why should I agree with him?
He's no expert, and been known to be wrong before.

TradClimber

came across this article thought might be relevant here:

http://www.rattlesnakebite.org/index.htm

go here to see pics of multiple operations and ultimate recovery from rattlesnake bite.

http://www.rattlesnakebite.org/rattlesnakepics.htm

Pepper spray would irritate the rattler just as it will a mammal. However, snakes are generally not bright anilmals and I am sure it would be too confused to leave. Better to just leave the snake alone. The last rattler I saw though, was near Ely. I used a paper towel roll to herd it off the road so it would not get smashed. The photo has too many bytes for this website.