Soul searching: Why does a rattlesnake rattle?

[bluemingidiot]

The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings, TPWD advises, especially since there are reports that the rattlesnakes aren't currently rattling to warn people from getting too close.

"They're not as rattling as they used to. I caught on the other day - messed with him, held him up - never did rattle - not once," Eddie Pits told CDFW. " And I think that's the hog problem. Hogs eat them and the rattlers are getting to where they're not rattling because that's what alerts the hogs."

www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Rattlesnakes-aren-t-ready-to-hibernate-thanks-to-10608658.php

[bluemingidiot]

Chip Ruthven, a Certified Wildlife Biologist, relayed the following information regarding his interactions with rattlesnakes. "I am sure feral hogs do eat snakes on occasion, but they would most likely avoid a rattlesnake. I do not recall snakes being listed on any of the feral hog diet work that has been done in Texas. Snake predation by feral hogs is most likely insignificant at best.

articles.extension.org/pages/63666/does-predation-by-feral-hogs-cause-rattelsnakes-to-stop-rattling

[bluemingidiot]

So why does a rattlesnake rattle? Because he feels like it!

[copperkid3]

Nov 12, 2016 9:06:48 GMT bluemingidiot said:

So why does a rattlesnake rattle? Because he feels like it!

I'm thinking that it's because he (or she) is busy with their pacifier instead. . .

[bluemingidiot]

copperkid3, I heard the boos on that one down here in the Texas Hill country.