[kellyhound]

Texas country music star Kevin Fowler is taking to Facebook to warn against a feared enemy of rural areas by posting photos of a gnarly rattlesnake bite.

The musician’s third encounter of the month with a snake prompted the viral post, he said on Facebook.

The singer is definitely not one to feel guilty about slaying a rattlesnake because he's seen the pain they're capable of causing.

“All of you people who cry about folks killing rattlesnakes have probably never seen what it looks like when you get bit by one,” he said.

“All of you rattlesnake sympathizers will change your tune when your kid gets bit playing in your backyard.”

Fowler added that the gruesome bite photos are of his friend Tommy’s hand, who is still undergoing rehab and surgeries a year later.

However, Steve Lightfoot of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said the infamous vermin are secretive, shy and not usually aggressive creatures.

“You would have to step on one to get it irritated,” he said.

He warned that people have a higher chance of encountering the snakes in new construction areas where they will be slithering under brush, doing their best to stay out of open areas.

When walking in these kinds of conditions, Lightfoot suggested walking on top of objects like logs instead of over them.

If a person should come face-to-face with the venomous threat, Lightfoot said it’s best to be still and determine its attitude and refrain from making any sudden movements. This will allow it the opportunity to leave.

“99 times out of 100, they’re going to try to get away,” Lightfoot said. “They’re part of the landscape as well so it’s best to be educated and informed so you can be aware of your surroundings.”

[Keydog]

Well he shouldn't have tried to pick it up... stupid redneck. As for the part about kids in the backyard, if you were Australian, would you let your kids swim in the river? These critters were here long before we were, be aware, leave them be and everyone's happy. Except for Mr "country star" who'd rather be using them for target practise

[mintycbo]

Originally Posted by Keydog ↗

Well he shouldn't have tried to pick it up... stupid redneck. As for the part about kids in the backyard, if you were Australian, would you let your kids swim in the river? These critters were here long before we were, be aware, leave them be and everyone's happy. Except for Mr "country star" who'd rather be using them for target practise

If he tried to pick it up?
Then yeah, he had it coming..

Didn't see mention of such.
But wouldn't surprise me if it was how it occurred.


The one thing I will give them (people out to kill rattlers)..
Rattlesnakes in the U.S. (namely the Western Diamondback and southern Pacific rattlesnake)
have "Over-Evolved".
Venom used to kill prairie dogs, mice...now strong enough to kill horses, other large animals.
However, this is supposedly caused by some of their prey to have become immune to their venom...
Also, their venom is "evolving" into neurotoxic venom.

Nasty snakes.. glad we only have the northern copperhead, eastern massasauga rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake in Pennsylvania. (other than the copperhead, the rattlers are VERY rare to come across.)
I'm not afraid of snakes, had em as pets (non-venomous ).. but they do need to be respected.

Little something on the evolution of rattlesnakes out west. (long read.) -
https://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazin...Emergency.aspx

[Flapmon]

Oh wow, impressive and yet at the same time I can almost feel how painful that is. I remember a family friend got bitten by a spider a year or so ago and she still suffers, it's amazing to see what they can do but also terrifying.

[CrunchyCripple]

I don't think they're "Over Evolving". I think that their venom serves a duel purpose. It is to kill prey, but also for protection against predators/threats.

Is it common to get bit by a rattlesnake that hasn't rattled a warning buzz?

[mintycbo]

Originally Posted by CrunchyCripple ↗

I don't think they're "Over Evolving". I think that their venom serves a duel purpose. It is to kill prey, but also for protection against predators/threats.

Is it common to get bit by a rattlesnake that hasn't rattled a warning buzz?

Their normal prey is becoming resistant to their venom. can be bitten and walk it off.
The snakes are evolving, naturally changing their venom formulas due to this.
Link I posted above mentions a bit about it.
Their venom was more of a coagulant/enzymatic type, breaks down living tissue. (breaks down it's prey, digesting them some before they even consume it.) BUT... now it is also becoming neurotoxic as well (attacks the nervous system). Plus it's enzymatic properties are becoming stronger.

Rattlers can/will strike without rattling. If startled, they'll just strike, save the rattle for next time.
Also, It's rare for a "Dry strike" from a rattler as well.

I'm not saying this in support of killing the snakes off. But nature is just a crazy bitch..

[ludokressh]

If his friend wasn't trying to play with it/pick it up, he may never have gotten bit. The rattlesnake was only doing what it does to protect itself.

[Oswald2001]

Originally Posted by ludokressh ↗

If his friend wasn't trying to play with it/pick it up, he may never have gotten bit. The rattlesnake was only doing what it does to protect itself.

It was beyond stupid to screw with the snake.

No doubt about that.


But rattlers will sometime just strike.

You can be walking by some brush and a hidden rattler might strike without rattling.

That's why it is advisable to be mindful around bushes, undergrowth, trash piles, etc. when in snake country.

[kellyhound]

lol

[CrunchyCripple]

Originally Posted by mintycbo ↗

Their normal prey is becoming resistant to their venom. can be bitten and walk it off.
The snakes are evolving, naturally changing their venom formulas due to this.

Then it's the fucking rats' fault! Goddamn rodents, anyway.