What type of rattlesnake is this. I just killed it today(10-14-20) here in Desoto Co at the edge of the Desoto-Tunica county lines.
View attachment 18241
View attachment 18241
Need help from you Serpentologists
- Thread starter Pookieray
- Start date
Timber. There are some monsters around here like that. My uncle killed an eastern Diamondback down by his boat dock outside Eudora about 10 years ago. I’m 6’5 and was holding it out by the tail straight and the head was on the ground still. Best one I’ve ever seen.
Killed a big one about 20 years ago in Panther swamp. He was probably 4 ft long and had a dozen rattlers or so. He was huge at his mid-section so we cut him open and found a large adult red squirrel.
Yes, definitely a rattlesnake. For anyone that doesn’t know a triangle shaped head almost always means the snake is poisonous. There are a few exceptions, but it’s a pretty safe rule to follow that if it’s head is shaped like that........get back quick.
Grew up almost directly across river. There were a few big rattlesnakes killed behind the levee.
Not every year. But enough that it wasn’t just a coincidence.
Not every year. But enough that it wasn’t just a coincidence.
Disagree on eating rattlesnakes as they make some tasty fair. Cut the head off completely and there is no risk whatsoever of poison being in the meat. Many a rancher out west has made a nice meal out of battered and fried rattlesnakes.
Pro tip - dig a hole and bury the heads. I have seen a dog that chewed on a severed rattlesnake head that swelled up horribly. There is still some poison in those fangs even several days later.
Pro tip - dig a hole and bury the heads. I have seen a dog that chewed on a severed rattlesnake head that swelled up horribly. There is still some poison in those fangs even several days later.
I live in Tippah County, We have an abundance of these on the Tippah/Union County line in what is called the Saddler Hills. I have an uncle that lives at the foot of these hills in Hatchie Bottom that averages 1 timber rattler every other year since he has lived in his home (roughly 20 or so years) This year it seems to have been more BIG ones killed than others though. I know of 3 killed in yards or on roads that have had 16 rattlers on them. I have many pictures and videos of these but am not smart enough to load them to SPS. We killed/skinned/ate one a few years back (Of course just to say we ate it). Battered and Fried, well done. Taste like chicken!!!
We used to kill 5-6 a year in Tremont at Bull Mountain Bottom. Yes you can eat them, just don't over cook or its like eating rope.
We always called them Canebreak, but Timber it is. Always several that get run over on the road by my house this time of year, I figured during the first really cool nights of fall they crawl out on the pavement that still holds warmth from the day.
And you won't believe me, but that red squirrel looked up at us for a second, gave us a little nod, and then took off for the nearest tree and was gone!
I live just south of Starkville and we have a huge population of Timer Rattlas here. I've seen at least 5 dead on the road this year alone in about a 2 mile stretch and several of my neighbors have killed some over the past couple of years as well. Two years ago I killed a 4 footer with my lawnmower.
I used to hunt Panther National back in the 80's; Killed many a duck back in there....
Grew up hunting there with my father starting back in the 50's. Back then you could go into some areas, hunt all day and never see another human. I am so thankful for having access to it all those years. It was and is a wonderful place.
Last edited:
Russ Wheeler:
It was crossing my gravel drive headed into my front yard. It just came out of a wooded area. I had just got on my tractor to do some bush hogging and I happened to see it about 30yards out in front of me. I thought it was kingsnake I see regularly in that area but noticed it wasn't near as big.
Killed a large very large copperhead over the weekend too. This one was just shy of 4', I was working on a shed and he was almost under my ladder when I stepped down.
View attachment 18244
It was crossing my gravel drive headed into my front yard. It just came out of a wooded area. I had just got on my tractor to do some bush hogging and I happened to see it about 30yards out in front of me. I thought it was kingsnake I see regularly in that area but noticed it wasn't near as big.
Killed a large very large copperhead over the weekend too. This one was just shy of 4', I was working on a shed and he was almost under my ladder when I stepped down.
View attachment 18244
WrapItDog:
It wasn't playing possum, only thing I had to kill it with was a "baby sledge". I got as close as I could while still feeling safe and threw it, striking him about 6" below his head on his back. That disabled him from slithering away. Unfortunately, my hammer lay within a foot of his head which he was still able to move and strike. He struck and as he drew back I grabbed the sledge and gave him an ol what for on his head.
It wasn't playing possum, only thing I had to kill it with was a "baby sledge". I got as close as I could while still feeling safe and threw it, striking him about 6" below his head on his back. That disabled him from slithering away. Unfortunately, my hammer lay within a foot of his head which he was still able to move and strike. He struck and as he drew back I grabbed the sledge and gave him an ol what for on his head.
Yep, you can drink snake venom like a cold beer on a summer day and as long as you don't have an ulcer or open tear in your digestive track you will be just fine. Venom has to be introduced into the bloodstream to have any effect.
As Billy Connolly would say...Herpetologist - "snake guy" not a guy with herpes.***
View attachment 18246
View attachment 18246