[Cdt-l] Cdt-l Digest, Vol 40, Issue 9

[David Thibault]

I've never found the Mojave Rattlesnake to be any more aggressive than most
other rattlesnakes I've encountered (which are several - such as Western
Diamond Back (which they are easily mistake with), Eastern Diamond Back,
Sidewinder, Pacific Rattlesnake, Black tailed rattlesnake, and the rock
rattlesnake).

I believe the aggressive stories about the Mojave (i.e. the green) generally
spring from the fact that they have a more toxin venom.  I believe their
aggressive reputation makes their story a little bit more exciting.

While I have run into a couple of aggressive rattlers (one a Mojave or green
and one a western) I have run into many more that were pretty docile.  I
don't actually think the term aggressive is correct either.  I'd say more
'ticked off' than aggressive.

I've talked to a couple of herpetologist here is Arizona about this and they
seemed to agree that they have this reputation with the general public for
aggressiveness that is probably unjust.

Anyway, I attempt to leave them alone and they attempt to do the same with
me.  Although I probably enjoy seeing them more than they enjoy seeing me.

You can tell the difference between the Mojave (or green) and the Western
Diamond back by the diamond back pattern on the back of the snake.  On the
Mojave the pattern fades as it progresses to the tail.  Also the Mojave (or
green) is not always green - it is brown a lot of the time.

Day-Late




>
> To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
> From: ks1007 at aol.com
> Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 00:14:38 -0500
> Subject: [Cdt-l] Fwd: Cdt-l Digest, Vol 40, Issue 4
>
> we have a green rattlesnake here that is aggressive - they have been known
> to move towards people
>
>
>
>
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