Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

The California foothills have a lot of rattlesnakes. 
Recently a fellow tried to kill one with a shovel, was
bit by the snake, and died.  When the daytime temp
exceeds 90 degrees they become nocturnal and then
you've got to watch for them at night.

We keep the problem under control with chickens and
cats.  I think the chickens must eat the babies like
worms.  The cats will kill rattlesnakes also.  Cats
are also good for squirrels--I've heard that it takes
5 per acre though.  Squirrels encourage rattlesnakes
in two ways:  the snakes live in the holes, and they
eat the squirrels.    

We've thought about making a "hog moat" around our
place--a strip of hog pasture around the place where
snakes would have to make it past the pigs to get in. 


I'd always heard that motor oil would deter snakes,
but last summer I watched a rattler climb up in the
engine compartment of my mother's motorhome and hide
out there until it felt safe.  

I've read that cowboys on the trail would circle their
bedroll with a horsehair rope to keep snakes out of
their bed.  Haven't tried that one.

The main danger with them is not seeing them and
stepping on them.  People are not in their diet--too
big--so they don't really try to "go after" you.  I'm
always worried I'll come upon one on the trail while
riding and my horse step on it, but so far this has
never happened.  Maybe the sound of horses feet causes
them to crawl away?

Sharlene


       
               
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