Snake Suicide!

[jdmidwest]

A victim on Trumps new war on predatory species. Came across this little feller today and noticed something odd. Musta heard news about the war on predatory species and decided to take his own way out. Jumped in front of a truck to end it, not mine, and failed. Finished himself off with a good bite of ole rattler. 

[Phil Lilley]

Cool!

[jdmidwest]

Funny place where he bit himself, just about as close to his head as he could get. 

I started to jump out and cut the rattles, but thought about the venom that had coursed thru his body and the open holes on my finger tips.  Left them for the buzzards.

The spot where he was is a know breeding ground.  There is a TV broadcast station on top of the hill near there.  I have done work there in the past and have been told stories about the rattlers that gather there.  Most are taking advantage of the heat put off by the transmission lines coming out of the building and going up the tower.  But i have always wondered if the TV waves may be an attractor too.  There is another tower nearby, within 5 miles, for a different station and they have the same problems.  Owners give me a warning to beware and keep a watch out.  I have a powder plant in Illinois near a place called snake road across the river that has the same problems.  It is a hibernation place for snakes of all kinds, but many are poison.  They close the road in the spring and fall during the migrations.

[MOPanfisher]

Not uncommon for an injured snake to bite blindly even biting themselves.  Dobut if his own venom would kill him, but being run over certainly would.  Very cool.

[oneshot]

Seems every where I have been in Missouri there is always Rattlers.

oneshot

[fishinwrench]

Have only seen 2 rattlers in Mo. but one (the biggest) was during a quail hunt, late November in Monroe county, it was about 45° and was frosty that morning.   Definitely not the time/place you'd expect to see ANY snake, let alone a 3' rattler.    The dogs would not leave it alone so my brother shot it before it nailed one of dads pointers.

On a more recent note....check out these lovers 

[oneshot]

Was looking at a farm in Cooper County the Agent almost stepped on a Rattlesnake. We went ahead and bought the farm but seen several Rattlesnakes after.

Had a Farm in Dallas County and had several Rattlesnakes there.

oneshot 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I've never seen a rattler in MO but I would like to.  Saw a couple king snakes today while out riding.  Good size ones in the MO River bottoms.

[Smalls21]

had a rattlesnake next to my house one time, my cat had it cornered, then i cut its head off!!!

Darn good cat!

[Flysmallie]

Well if you find any rattlesnakes that like to eat roaming neighborhood cats I'll take a dozen of them.