Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: LARGE Crotalus ruber that almost bit my buddy!
So a buddy and I were taking a little hike in Aliso Viejo yesterday and were having a great time photographing wildlife. Well, we were headed back down the trail that we had just hiked up when we heard the distinct BZZ-Z-ZZZZZZZZZ of a Rattler. We knew the snake was close but had no idea how close or how large the snake was until out from under a dead paddle cactus came a lightning quick strike that ended 6" short of my buddies leg. Now, my buddy has had knee surgery twice and he has a bad hip and walks with a cane so he cannot move very quickly so the fact that it came that close and didnt make contact is a miracle.
Well, come to find out it was the largest Crotalus ruber or Red Diamond Rattlesnake I have ever seen. Measuring out to just about 5' in length and 3"-4" in girth. I knealt down with my camera and took a quick shot about 1.5' away from this monster while shaking the whole time knowing that if he struck I would definately get tagged. As I stood up he struck again and I jumped and was missed by this guy.
This snake was roughly ten feet from a backyard with little kids playing so I decided to dispose of the animal. It wouldnt move and kept coming closer to us so I struck him with my buddies cane which killed it by severing the spinal cord. Now I hate killing these things unless it is necessary and I came to the conclusion that this was a necessary time to kill this guy just for the fear of it going into the backyard where the kids were playing.
Below are two pics of this snake. The first is the picture that I took while being too close to this thing and the second is for size comparison to his cane/walking stick.
[img]edit: pic removed as requested --Steven[/img]
I normally would have done just that but I didnt bring any of my snake gear with me since I knew we would be going into the park itself and I really didnt want to get caught with collection gear in a park.
Just curious, since this is an old post, and this guy isnt around anymore, is there some way to remove the picture, I really hate seeing pictures like this.. Just a question... _________________ Reptile Rescue Orange County
(949) 394-5759
http://www.reptilerescueoc.webs.com ocreptilerescue@gmail.com
Just curious, since this is an old post, and this guy isnt around anymore, is there some way to remove the picture, I really hate seeing pictures like this.. Just a question...
Not something id normally do ...but ok this time. Hate the pic too.
Snake could have been wrangled away from its hide, hooked with the walkin stick and dropped some distance away ..harmless and alive.
_________________
jet trail in the sunset
a long way away
cutting 'cross the horizon
at the edge of the day
and it calls Jimmy
come fly away
but I've been
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
I believe I'll have to stay
yeah, I've been
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
I believe I'll have to stay
--James McMurtry
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