My younger brother was a cub-scout. On a campout which my father and I attended, we went on a hike up a hill to look for a Geo-cache.

Along the way, we encountered a baby rattlesnake, which two of us (myself included) had actually stepped over before one of the kids saw it.

My father, ever the teacher, decided it would be a good time to "have a learning experience". He proceeded to pick up the snake with his bare hands.

It gets better.

The snake would not rattle, which he wanted the boys to hear so they would be able to identify the noise easily when on hikes. Holding onto its neck, he used a small stick to irritate the snake until it would rattle.

Do you think he is done?

He then poked the stick at the snake's mouth until it opened ("to demonstrate the size and function of the fangs") and attempted to strike the stick. Its fangs came out all right, and one dripped a small amount of clear fluid (I do not know if it was venom or snake saliva, if they have that) as it attempted to "kill" the stick.

All in the name of teaching children.

What a great example.

Here is a picture of him holding the snake: http://s663.photobucket.com/albums/uu354/macattack_photo/?action=view¤t=rattlesnake.jpg

What is worse, that was not the first time he had messed with rattlers. On another cub-scout campout, he stopped on a road when he saw a large (I would guess 4-6 feet, and really fat) diamondback rattler coiled up, sunbathing on the asphalt. He used a three foot stick to try to pin its head down so he could pick it up. Being unable, he settled with picking up the snake at the end of the stick. After a minute or so of this, he finally used the stick to hurl the snake off the road, saving it from being run over by other, "less-kind" travelers.

When he was in college, he had an eight-foot python that enjoyed hanging around his neck. Legally, at least two people are required to handle a python of that length. A zoo would probably use three. People have been killed by snakes of that size.

Definitely at-risk.

Submitted on 12/14/2010

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference:

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Does your father realize that the venom in baby rattlers is much more dangerous than in adults? He's extremely lucky he hasn't discovered that little fact first hand! Thanks for the story and the photo!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Yep. Definitely educational. Too bad it's only the kids who are learning! Thanks!

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