Here's looking at you kid

[user 423]

We had a visitor today. About 6 feet long and 14 rattle segments:

 

[tx2sturgis]

WOW!

 

[user 22017]

Yikes!

 

[bullfrog]

Pretty and no more mice! We have Pygmy Rattle snakes here in southern Utah that seldom get over 2’, light tan almost white base in winter with dark tan to pink markings. Can’t miss the triangular head even if it is hard to see the markings! Locals call them “buzz worms” as the rattles are so small they make a buzzing sound almost insect like. The one in the picture has been around several years, doesn’t like to have his picture taken! Lol!!!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Looks fat.

 

[user 423]

^We wondered if it was full of eggs.

Or maybe another snake swallowed whole?

Or several mice?

 

[rpmhart333]

Crikey, mate! She's a BEAUTY!
(RIP Steve Irwin)

 

[user 423]

^RIP the snake,too. The homeowner took it out with a .38 since he was worried about his two pups.

 

[rpmhart333]

I've never had snake meat, but it looks as if a head shot might have offered the opportunity for a number of meals.
Would be an interesting Thanksgiving dinner, wouldn't it? Either that curled up on a platter or a roast turkey you could just reach into and yank out, freaking out the family.
More leftovers for you! Many of 'em would run like hell!

 

[user 423]

He used snake shot rounds (buckshot). It weighed about 4 lbs. so there could have been a good meal for somebody. I've never tried rattlesnake either but for some reason I've always thought that it would taste like spam.

 

[rpmhart333]

Shows my ignorance of guns since I gave them up post-Vietnam. A .38 with buckshot?
As for taste, Someone on the forum must be a connoisseur. Do we have to repost in the What's for Dinner? section, O Mighty and All-Knowing Moderator?
(no sarcasm intended; admire your work)

 

[user 423]

A .38 with buckshot?

Pest control ammo:

 

[rpmhart333]

Looks like something an ex-wife would threaten ya with.

 

[user 423]

^I know my ex thought of me as a pest when we would discuss paying certain bills.

 

[bullfrog]

If you are going to eat them a long piece of rigid PVC pipe with a piece of small flexible steel cable attached to one end then fed through the pipe to form a loop on the end where it is attached then the other end of the cable attach a wooden dowel for a handle. Simply put the loop over the snakes head and pull till the head pops off but beware they still have muscle memory and the head can still bite you. Fixed correctly tastes like moist frog legs or rotisserie chicken. Every morning in the missile silos in Tucson they would collect in the access portal. Snake and eggs along with some salsa and toast with cactus jelly was a delicious breakfast for the crew back then.

 

[barefootrebel]

Only had rattler once; same situation, a large critter who was in a spot that he (she?) didn't need to be- under my house.
Critter became rattlesnake gumbo.

I was trying to figure out what to compare it to. ^^^ you nailed it with the frog legs comparison.

 

[user 423]

Looks fat.

Since it's been gone we've noticed an increase in the pack rat population.

 

[peteg59]

Some states, one might find themselves in legal jeopardy for "eliminating" a critter with protected species status.
Hopefully not in AZ???

 

[user 423]

^Western diamondbacks aren't protected in AZ.

 

[Frood]

Is there any state where you aren't allowed to protect yourself or your property from a wild animal? Even one with protected status?