Awesome Find

[compnerd7]

I found a pair of Mojave Sidewinders out in the desert near Palm Springs where I frequently go herping... Thought I'd share a few pics

 

[super-pede]

beautiful species if I may say.:drool:

 

[PrimalTaunt]

Awesome camouflage on those guys.

 

[dtknow]

Neat pictures of some cool animals! Would like to see some winders out there sometime.

I just had to caution-though I'm sure you know this already-that holding them like that is an excellent way to get bit. Aside from milking snakes and medical procedures their is no reason to risk that.

 

[myrmecophile]

Neat snakes, but that is definitely a very good way to take a fang.

 

[compnerd7]

Neat pictures of some cool animals! Would like to see some winders out there sometime.

I just had to caution-though I'm sure you know this already-that holding them like that is an excellent way to get bit. Aside from milking snakes and medical procedures their is no reason to risk that.

yes I agree with you, but they were so cold they could barley move, she wouldn't even rattle at me, i felt no danger at all, although, better safe then sorry..

 

[Widowman10]

wow! look at that camouflage! it matches perfectly. wonderful looking snakes.

 

[jukahman]

Perfect camouflage! awesome snakes. thanks for sharing.

 

[spinningspider]

I love the snakes and thanks for sharing. But I would recommend not restraining the animal to take pics. It stresses the animals not to mention its unsafe if you do it improperly as shown above. I wouldn't tell youthat if this was on the net for everyone to see. But i think it sets a bad example for the novice herpers. If you find a venomous animal in the wild. Just take a few pictures and walk away. Sorry to be the wet blanket here. I don't care what people do on their own time. Just don't post it for so yahoo to see that its ok to pick up rattlesnakes and then he gets nailed. Resulting in more legislation to be passed against reptile keepers. Just my 2 bits.

 

[compnerd7]

I love the snakes and thanks for sharing. But I would recommend not restraining the animal to take pics. It stresses the animals not to mention its unsafe if you do it improperly as shown above. I wouldn't tell youthat if this was on the net for everyone to see. But i think it sets a bad example for the novice herpers. If you find a venomous animal in the wild. Just take a few pictures and walk away. Sorry to be the wet blanket here. I don't care what people do on their own time. Just don't post it for so yahoo to see that its ok to pick up rattlesnakes and then he gets nailed. Resulting in more legislation to be passed against reptile keepers. Just my 2 bits.

Noted and advice taken!

 

[loudan]

thats amazing how the camo,and u CRAZY for grabbin that thang!!

 

[Bigboy]

It always frustrates me to see someone free handling a venomous animal but I enjoyed the pictures. Just remember, when a dog bites a person, nobody reads about it in the paper. When a snake bites a person its in every paper in the county/state/territory and Joe Voter is that much closer to outlawing venomous herp keeping.

 

[Spidershane1]

Just to clarify the proper way to hold rattlers-
If you are right handed, your thumb will rest flat against the base of the left side of snakes head. Index finger bent all the way in, with the first joint resting at the same spot on the right of the snakes head that the tip of the thumb is on the left. Support the snakes neck with the remaining three fingers.

If you put the thumb on the base of the top of the head, and keep the index finger underneath the jaw, the fangs can still pop out and tag you. Even if the snake is cold, it doesn't take much energy to poke you one good time.

Good pics, nonetheless.

 

[Bigboy]

Just to clarify the proper way to hold rattlers-
If you are right handed, your thumb will rest flat against the base of the left side of snakes head. Index finger bent all the way in, with the first joint resting at the same spot on the right of the snakes head that the tip of the thumb is on the left. Support the snakes neck with the remaining three fingers.

If you put the thumb on the base of the top of the head, and keep the index finger underneath the jaw, the fangs can still pop out and tag you. Even if the snake is cold, it doesn't take much energy to poke you one good time.

Good pics, nonetheless.

Mate, the proper way to hold any venomous snake is with a long snake hook.

 

[theconmacieist]

Mate, the proper way to hold any venomous snake is with a long snake hook.

+1

Great pics I like how well it blends in!

 

[grayzone]

DAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNGGGG how in the world do ya find those guys ( the easy way i mean) ??? their camouflage is fantastic... im gonna have to start takin trips to Eastern WA in about a month... lots of great stuff to find out there.

 

[Spidershane1]

Mate, the proper way to hold any venomous snake is with a long snake hook.

This is true if you don't know what you're doing.

But for those of us who have been trained in milking and/or venterinary work, sometimes you have to actually grab and hold the snake with your bare hands- hence knowing the proper way becomes very important.

But I agree, the novice should never attempt this, or even use a snake stick for that matter.
The best thing for a noob to do is leave them alone.

 

[compnerd7]

DAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNGGGG how in the world do ya find those guys ( the easy way i mean) ??? their camouflage is fantastic... im gonna have to start takin trips to Eastern WA in about a month... lots of great stuff to find out there.

you have to know what your looking for haha

 

[darrelldlc]

nice winders, I think the people who shudder the most are those that have been bitten by a rattlesnake, myself included...

In no way am I telling you what to do when you encounter such amazing animals...(at least you are not needlessly killing them)

I have to constantly remind myself not to touch such beautiful creatures... it's just not worth the pain..

every animal I keep from scorpions to snakes is venomous... I am constantly fascinated with my "pets", but I use a LOT more caution when I am doing cage maintenance and feeding.

I have a couple of sidewinders now, and will eventually get out that way to find some C. cerastes lateropens sooon. until then happy herping and thanks for posting pics of such cool snakes.

Darrell

against my better judgement I have posted a few pics of what can happen while being careless with sidewinders...all it takes is a split lapse of judgement. While it was pretty mild as far as bites go, I still ended up in the ICU for a couple days. Reeeeely put a damper on the rest of my herping season last summer. THAT'S why I shudder at the thought of getting bit by some of my other specimens...Curious about my story?..there is a full write up on VL under "bite reports" Although I got to keep my finger, it still has nerve damage and is permanently disfigured, a stark reminder of how amazing venom is and its effects can be

 

[Spidershane1]

Ouchies!!!