Death by Rattlesnake

[Brent in Az]

Hiker in Tennessee killed by Rattlesnake.
First Rattlesnake fatality since 2022.

 

[Firebird]

Would seem more likely in your part of the world-Arizona. Shouldn’t have picked it up for sure. I’ve been a paramedic on half dozen snake bites, none fatal but ugly to watch get worse. All that I can remember the snake was being touched in some way and reacted in defense. A sad story all the same

 

[Ridge Runner]

Hiker in Tennessee killed by Rattlesnake.
First Rattlesnake fatality since 2022.

Most likely an eastern diamond, but could have been a timber rattler. Don't know about this particular area of Tennessee, but our Wildlife Management Agency thought it was a good idea to re populate various areas throughout the state with venomous snakes due to the decline in poisonous snakes. Then the snakes were protected.

What our Wildlife Agency doesn't know, doesn't bother most of us outdoor types....the only good snake is a dead snake, especially the poisonous ones.

Copperheads are more apt to be encountered than rattlers in our area.

 

[leslie hetrick]

don,t piss into the wind, don,t stand on supermans cape or pick up anything that can kill you.

 

[odonata]

Most likely an eastern diamond, but could have been a timber rattler.

Tennessee only has four venomous snakes: Copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake & pygmy rattlesnake. The eastern diamondback is more coastal from the Carolinas to eastern Louisiana. Pygmy bites are rare & I don't believe there's any recorded deaths by one.

But like this hiker found out, allergic reactions can be problematic if you decide to pick a venomous snake up without proper equipment (or possibly training). It's a shame someone died while out enjoying a hike but don't pet the timber rattlesnakes!

Last year when I was checking out my deer stand before the season started, I found a nice cottonmouth lounging around on the ground below it. So I took a photo with iPhone. But I had zero intention of trying to pick it up. He indicated he wanted to be left alone & I was happy to oblige.

 

[BeeMaa]

I've asked @PARA45 to share his most recent experiences.

 

[PARA45]

Oh man, what a shame.

This Timber Rattle Snake was in our new property we were clearing some area. Was very lethargic and not aggressive at all, which I believe was having a siesta after dinner and we disturbed it with the mower.

 

[PARA45]

I've been handling snakes since I can remember. I wanted to study Herpetology with focus on snakes. I like snakes and I usually do not kill them, but this time I was outnumbered by my wife and she insisted I did. Not knowing the circumstances in this case I can only speculate that he did not know what he was doing or didn't know the type of snake he was about to grab. Also, complacency will kill you.

​

 

[PARA45]

Tennessee only has four venomous snakes: Copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake & pygmy rattlesnake. The eastern diamondback is more coastal from the Carolinas to eastern Louisiana. Pygmy bites are rare & I don't believe there's any recorded deaths by one.

But like this hiker found out, allergic reactions can be problematic if you decide to pick a venomous snake up without proper equipment (or possibly training). It's a shame someone died while out enjoying a hike but don't pet the timber rattlesnakes!

Last year when I was checking out my deer stand before the season started, I found a nice cottonmouth lounging around on the ground below it. So I took a photo with iPhone. But I had zero intention of trying to pick it up. He indicated he wanted to be left alone & I was happy to oblige.

View attachment 706731

Man, I'm surprised that Moccasin didn't come after you. Every Water Moccasin I've seen have been aggressive without provocation. Love their camo pattern and how well this snake blends with the surroundings.

 

[odonata]

Man, I'm surprised that Moccasin didn't come after you. Every Water Moccasin I've seen have been aggressive without provocation. Love their camo pattern and how well this snake blends with the surroundings.

I was up to my knees in a southern Mississippi stream looking over the bank at the jungle around the stand I took my first deer from last year and was debating whether I should walk over to it. All I had on was a pair of shorts and some Chaco sandals. I had never been in this area without snakeproof boots on before. I thought the chances of encountering a northern cottonmouth would be high & I was not wrong!

For some reason, none of the other guys at the camp want to hunt this stand...

 

[PARA45]

I can only imagine why. I would use Napalm on that area to open a good walking trail.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Tennessee only has four venomous snakes: Copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake & pygmy rattlesnake. The eastern diamondback is more coastal from the Carolinas to eastern Louisiana. Pygmy bites are rare & I don't believe there's any recorded deaths by one.

But like this hiker found out, allergic reactions can be problematic if you decide to pick a venomous snake up without proper equipment (or possibly training). It's a shame someone died while out enjoying a hike but don't pet the timber rattlesnakes!

Last year when I was checking out my deer stand before the season started, I found a nice cottonmouth lounging around on the ground below it. So I took a photo with iPhone. But I had zero intention of trying to pick it up. He indicated he wanted to be left alone & I was happy to oblige.

View attachment 706731

I could be mistaken about the eastern diamond back but I think the eastern diamond back is one of the several snake species our Wildlife Agency released a few years ago for snake repopulation here in East Tennessee.

 

[Brent in Az]

We don't have Timber Rattlers in Arizona. Besides the various species at lower elevation, we do have the black rattlesnake that lives higher in the mountain ranges.
Oddly enough, I can't remember if I've ever seen one?

 

[odonata]

I could be mistaken about the eastern diamond back but I think the eastern diamond back is one of the several snake species our Wildlife Agency released a few years ago for snake repopulation here in East Tennessee.

I know that other reptiles like alligators are starting to appear further north as temperatures stay more moderate at higher latitudes. It wouldn't surprise me if the eastern diamondback could thrive further north as well.

 

[Dinsdale]

Grow some big rattlesnakes here in NewYork and border with Connecticut. Worked at a custom home build where a den was located and tagged along with a herpatoligist who was doing a study on rattlesnakes in the area.

A few years ago this same thing happened on the trail I took this Pic, but an airlift saved the guy, but he was in rough shape.

https://imgur.com/M3AFGD1

 

[AZDAVE]

I usually leave them alone unless that come into an area where kids are. Then they are toast.

Here in AZ we have like 10 different rattle snakes through out the state some are only found in small specfic areas. most common are western diamond back. The one to worry about is the mojave as it has a neuro toxin poison. Have seen two in my life and was able to steer clear of them while hiking.

 

[Rubberhead]

Sorry for being crude but I call this the Steve Irwin effect. It was happening before Steve Irwin, but he made it famous.

The Steve Irwin effect is when neophytes "get in nature's face" simply for their own publicity. Wild loosely means separated from humans. Let the wild remain wild. Venomous or not, snakes do not want to be picked-up regardless of whether someone has a facebook page or not.

 

[Surgeon1]

I was bit by a Prairie Rattler at age 8, received 14days of treatment in the hospital, and several weeks to fully recover. Since that time I have lived by the moto "the only good snake is a dead one made into a pair of cowboy boots"

 

[JHT]

Sixteen years ago today, I was in ICU after attempting to show my friends and pregnant wife how fast my reflexes were on a cornered copperhead. For many years afterward, I had to use my middle finger to pull a trigger and, even now, I cannot make a fist. The snake didn't fair so well; however, as I severed his head with a Feather Brand boat paddle. It was definitely not my finest moment, and in the decade and a half plus, my brain has had to reprogram my hand to replace my index finger for everyday tasks such as tying shoelaces, neckties, fishing knots, etc. Even today, it is still very painful and, oftentimes, gets in the way as it can no longer bend. Nevertheless, I am thankful it's still there (sometimes), and is a constant reminder of how painful, life-changing, and inconvenient one simple bad decision can be.

 

[Newboomer]

View attachment 706752
Sixteen years ago today, I was in ICU after attempting to show my friends and pregnant wife how fast my reflexes were on a cornered copperhead. For many years afterward, I had to use my middle finger to pull a trigger and, even now, I cannot make a fist. The snake didn't fair so well; however, as I severed his head with a Feather Brand boat paddle. It was definitely not my finest moment, and in the decade and a half plus, my brain has had to reprogram my hand to replace my index finger for everyday tasks such as tying shoelaces, neckties, fishing knots, etc. Even today, it is still very painful and, oftentimes, gets in the way as it can no longer bend. Nevertheless, I am thankful it's still there (sometimes), and is a constant reminder of how painful, life-changing, and inconvenient one simple bad decision can be.

And I will reiterate-- again. The only good snake is a dead snake.