Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
Yet another Rattlesnake day. 80F and clouds. I decided to sit on the hood of my car so I would be no threat. It only took 15 minutes for this one to show up. This shot was about 15 feet from my front door. I have never in 27 years seen so many Rattlesnakes. For weeks now I only take my dog out on lead, and spend most of my time looking down.
“The rattlesnake is the only dangerously venomous reptile in Oregon. Among the state's native wildlife, few other animals generate as many fears, false perceptions, and tall tales. In reality, however, few people see rattlesnakes in the wild. They want to be left alone and will never advance toward a human. Even when cornered, a defensively coiled rattlesnake can strike outward with just the forward half of its body. Anyone six feet or more away is well outside biting range….. A rattlesnake's fangs are connected to glands on each side of the animal's broad head, efficiently injecting venom for both defense and the killing of food. Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, with a small heat-sensing indention on each side of their snout that detects warm-blooded prey for better striking accuracy in the dark. If a person is bitten by a rattlesnake, the current recommendation is to quickly find medical care for antivenom treatment rather than administering first aid.”
Source : oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/rattlesnakes_in_oregon/#....
Brown Acres – Jackson County – Oregon - USA
Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
Yet another Rattlesnake day. 80F and clouds. I decided to sit on the hood of my car so I would be no threat. It only took 15 minutes for this one to show up. This shot was about 15 feet from my front door. I have never in 27 years seen so many Rattlesnakes. For weeks now I only take my dog out on lead, and spend most of my time looking down.
“The rattlesnake is the only dangerously venomous reptile in Oregon. Among the state's native wildlife, few other animals generate as many fears, false perceptions, and tall tales. In reality, however, few people see rattlesnakes in the wild. They want to be left alone and will never advance toward a human. Even when cornered, a defensively coiled rattlesnake can strike outward with just the forward half of its body. Anyone six feet or more away is well outside biting range….. A rattlesnake's fangs are connected to glands on each side of the animal's broad head, efficiently injecting venom for both defense and the killing of food. Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, with a small heat-sensing indention on each side of their snout that detects warm-blooded prey for better striking accuracy in the dark. If a person is bitten by a rattlesnake, the current recommendation is to quickly find medical care for antivenom treatment rather than administering first aid.”
Source : oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/rattlesnakes_in_oregon/#....
Brown Acres – Jackson County – Oregon - USA