Rattlesnake on 30A!
Hey Mike: I know that you have been looking for rattlesnakes to supplement all of those water moccasins you have been finding.
Well....last Friday I was driving between Grayton and Seagrove and I saw a guy on the side of 30A sort of dancing around with a large tree branch. At the other end of the branch was a really big snake.
My son and I had to stop to see what was going on, and I had my camera with me. (Note to Self: Always have camera ready and available!) We could hear the snake's rattle as we were running up to find out what was going on.
The guy didn't seem drunk or anything - just stupid. He said he was trying to catch the snake, that it had just bitten him, and that he didn't know what kind of snake it was!!?!!
We told him that it was a Diamondback Rattlesnake and that if he really was bitten, he should go to Sacred Heart right away. He didn't believe us at first, but then I think he got scared and he took off (for the hospital, I hope).
Anyway, since I had my camera (which has video capabilities) I decided to take some pictures and video for you. I was actually thinking to myself, "Wow, Mikecatadjuster would really love to be here right now!"
We attracted some attention as we were checking out the snake, and some other folks stopped to watch. Fortunately, my camera has a really good zoom because I was afraid that the snake could jump at me if I got too close. Unfortunately, I had a really shaky hand, so the video is a little jumpy.
That was one mad snake. One of the guys who stopped threw a pipe at him and he didn't budge - just got more provoked. Another guy had a hoe and was going to kill him, but my son and I convinced him not to. I mean, heck, the snake wasn't coming at us. He just wanted us to leave him alone.
Anyway, here is my little video of it:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8221xBsd0e4"]YouTube - Rattlesnake on 30A[/ame]
Replies
21
SoWal Insider
Great job!
SoWal Insider
Big snake!
Beach Fanatic
What happened to the guy?
Beach Fanatic
I also stopped and took pics, I could hear the snake as I drove by, the dude said he was gonn take the snake home, I mentioned there was a guy on Sowal and he was always going on about snakes named Mikecatadjuster and he said that he used to be on Sowal under the name Aaabsolute, I asked him to leave the snake alone, but he said he wanted to keep it! I can tell you it was a very pissed off rattler and I left before any more hijinks. Read where most people who get bit are messing with snakes so I skedaddled.
Beach Fanatic
I also stopped and took pics, I could hear the snake as I drove by, the dude said he was gonn take the snake home, I mentioned there was a guy on Sowal and he was always going on about snakes named Mikecatadjuster and he said that he used to be on Sowal under the name Aaabsolute, I asked him to leave the snake alone, but he said he wanted to keep it! I can tell you it was a very pissed off rattler and I left before any more hijinks. Read where most people who get bit are messing with snakes so I skedaddled.
:shock:
Beach FanaticAuthor
I also stopped and took pics, I could hear the snake as I drove by, the dude said he was gonn take the snake home, I mentioned there was a guy on Sowal and he was always going on about snakes named Mikecatadjuster and he said that he used to be on Sowal under the name Aaabsolute, I asked him to leave the snake alone, but he said he wanted to keep it! I can tell you it was a very pissed off rattler and I left before any more hijinks. Read where most people who get bit are messing with snakes so I skedaddled.
Truluv:
Wow! We saw the same guy, for sure. I will say that I called the Sacred Heart emergency room to alert them that a snake bite victim was coming in. I then called back about 30 minutes later to ask whether he came or not, and they told me that no one had come in yet. I meant to call again later, but forgot.
I assumed that he was headed straight to the hospital, but perhaps he didn't go. I honestly do believe he was bitten, as he kept saying it over and over. I really thought that he was leaving to go right to Sacred Heart.
Hmmm?
Beach Fanatic
I had an untreated Pygmy Rattler bite and it's not pretty. I was very sick for 4 months. I hope he got medical attention.
Beach Fanatic
I put a call into John's cell and will report if I learn anything from him.
I wouldn't put it past him to be pulling someone's leg for a laugh.
I know, this isn't supposed to be a laughing matter, but I would be one laughing. John does have a sense of humor.
I wouldn't put it past him to be pulling someone's leg for a laugh.
I know, this isn't supposed to be a laughing matter, but I would be one laughing. John does have a sense of humor.
SoWal Insider
Well, Aabsolute surfaced! Mike the cat adjuster hasn't. Last we heard from him, he had kidney stones.......what are the odds they'll share a hospital room?
I sincerely hope they're both OK!
I sincerely hope they're both OK!
Beach Fanatic
I am flattered that you thought of me. I was at a spring today swimming. I think it's great that you convinced others not to harm the snake. I actually had correspondance with someone who said that protected areas like St. Vincent barrier island may be the last vestiges for the Diamondback because they are big, slow moving and are typically killed on site.
I respect your appreciation for nature and certainly am appreciative that you thought of me. I sure wish you'd have had a contact number for me, I'd have loved to have gone out to video the specimen. Great find and thanks again.
I respect your appreciation for nature and certainly am appreciative that you thought of me. I sure wish you'd have had a contact number for me, I'd have loved to have gone out to video the specimen. Great find and thanks again.
Beach Fanatic
Grayton Girl you're my hero! Nice video!!!!
Beach Fanatic
don't think he was bitten, the dude I mean
SoWal Insider
I am flattered that you thought of me. I was at a spring today swimming. I think it's great that you convinced others not to harm the snake. I actually had correspondance with someone who said that protected areas like St. Vincent barrier island may be the last vestiges for the Diamondback because they are big, slow moving and are typically killed on site.
I respect your appreciation for nature and certainly am appreciative that you thought of me. I sure wish you'd have had a contact number for me, I'd have loved to have gone out to video the specimen. Great find and thanks again.
You're back! Hope you're feeling better!
Beach Comber
Maybe he was out hunting for the guy that ran over his big, black kingsnake brother that got hit by the minivan in the article below... 
You were smart to stay clear of that one. Rattlers can effectively strike up to 1/2 to 2/3 their full length IN NEARLY ANY DIRECTION when coiled like that.
Actually, that's good location information to know, because my girlfriend, my dog and I walk the 30A beaches at night. I'll be keeping a closer eye on the dunes as we walk now.
Just a question, but in the past, I was told that if at all possible, the snake SHOULD be captured alive or otherwise (preferrably alive to be milked) in order to better synthesize an antivenom. I don't know if that is still true, as the medical field has progressed since then. Any M.D.'s have any advice on this matter?
Baldy
You were smart to stay clear of that one. Rattlers can effectively strike up to 1/2 to 2/3 their full length IN NEARLY ANY DIRECTION when coiled like that. Actually, that's good location information to know, because my girlfriend, my dog and I walk the 30A beaches at night. I'll be keeping a closer eye on the dunes as we walk now.
Just a question, but in the past, I was told that if at all possible, the snake SHOULD be captured alive or otherwise (preferrably alive to be milked) in order to better synthesize an antivenom. I don't know if that is still true, as the medical field has progressed since then. Any M.D.'s have any advice on this matter?
Baldy
Beach Fanatic
how could someone NOT realize that was a rattlesnake? did they think the "rattling noise" was a bug or something? I only have one word for someone like that...."dumba$$". But now that I think about it... it wasnt a blue ford with a toolbox (see hit and run in publix) on it was it? cause that karma would just be too perfect.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
how could someone NOT realize that was a rattlesnake? did they think the "rattling noise" was a bug or something?I wondered about that too, especially since it seems the snake was in clear sight. But your post reminded me of an experience I had quite a few years ago. I came home in the middle of the day. It was a hot, dry Sept day and the cicadas were everywhere, and they were really loud. As I headed towards my front door, my cat leaped out in front of me, arched his back, and pointed. I stopped dead in my tracks, and thought, WTF? And there, in the direction of the point, was a big rattler, coiled up in the bushes next to the walkway and rattling. The sound of the rattle was completely drowned out by the cicadas, and the only reason I didn't walk right into a bite was that cat.
He's been the best cat ever, and I've had a few.
SoWal Insider
I wondered about that too, especially since it seems the snake was in clear sight. But your post reminded me of an experience I had quite a few years ago. I came home in the middle of the day. It was a hot, dry Sept day and the cicadas were everywhere, and they were really loud. As I headed towards my front door, my cat leaped out in front of me, arched his back, and pointed. I stopped dead in my tracks, and thought, WTF? And there, in the direction of the point, was a big rattler, coiled up in the bushes next to the walkway and rattling. The sound of the rattle was completely drowned out by the cicadas, and the only reason I didn't walk right into a bite was that cat.
He's been the best cat ever, and I've had a few.
Good kitty! I had no idea how protective cats are until Cowboy made me a cat person. He bows up and growls when he feels a bad energy around me or his domain.......Sweet Pea is usually snoring. Go figure!
Beach Fanatic
aww.. arent pets the best? I had a dog that would warn me about snakes...but ONLY poisonous ones. She ignored black ones, garter snakes etc. But would go NUTS if there was a rattler or moccasin around. She was one of the bestest dogs in the world. She saved me from a pygmy once because they really DO sound like bugs. The rattle on them is so small it just kinda "buzzes".
SoWal Insider
Rattlesnake on 30A!
Hey Mike: I know that you have been looking for rattlesnakes to supplement all of those water moccasins you have been finding.
Well....last Friday I was driving between Grayton and Seagrove and I saw a guy on the side of 30A sort of dancing around with a large tree branch. At the other end of the branch was a really big snake.
My son and I had to stop to see what was going on, and I had my camera with me. (Note to Self: Always have camera ready and available!) We could hear the snake's rattle as we were running up to find out what was going on.
The guy didn't seem drunk or anything - just stupid. He said he was trying to catch the snake, that it had just bitten him, and that he didn't know what kind of snake it was!!?!!
We told him that it was a Diamondback Rattlesnake and that if he really was bitten, he should go to Sacred Heart right away. He didn't believe us at first, but then I think he got scared and he took off (for the hospital, I hope).
Anyway, since I had my camera (which has video capabilities) I decided to take some pictures and video for you. I was actually thinking to myself, "Wow, Mikecatadjuster would really love to be here right now!"
We attracted some attention as we were checking out the snake, and some other folks stopped to watch. Fortunately, my camera has a really good zoom because I was afraid that the snake could jump at me if I got too close. Unfortunately, I had a really shaky hand, so the video is a little jumpy.
That was one mad snake. One of the guys who stopped threw a pipe at him and he didn't budge - just got more provoked. Another guy had a hoe and was going to kill him, but my son and I convinced him not to. I mean, heck, the snake wasn't coming at us. He just wanted us to leave him alone.
Anyway, here is my little video of it:
YouTube - Rattlesnake on 30A
Definitely a rattlesnack. Great video Grayton Girl.
Beach Fanatic
I got a message from John that while the snake did strike him it didn't break the skin, so no medical attention needed. I might suggest a little grecian for the gray hairs a close call may bring out. 
Not everyone has the greatest love for Aabsolute, but I can say I have never to this day had an issue with him. He is (was) a fellow Sowaller and I hope that personal comments could be kept in the deleted file. It does nothing to make us as a community seem as personable to the outside world as we ought to be.
And I personally would never want to have a builder, plumber, electrician, po-po, fireman, etc think I have anything but the utmost respect for them, because you just never know when they may be the one working for you.
OK, time for this thread to die.
Not everyone has the greatest love for Aabsolute, but I can say I have never to this day had an issue with him. He is (was) a fellow Sowaller and I hope that personal comments could be kept in the deleted file. It does nothing to make us as a community seem as personable to the outside world as we ought to be.
And I personally would never want to have a builder, plumber, electrician, po-po, fireman, etc think I have anything but the utmost respect for them, because you just never know when they may be the one working for you.
OK, time for this thread to die.
Beach Lover
Please people...if the snakes not bothering you, please don't bother it! They are on this earth for a reason.
Of course, unless it is by your door or living under your shed.
Of course, unless it is by your door or living under your shed.
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