For the most part, snakes are harmless. The only accurate way to determine the age of a rattlesnake is by observation. It can be grilled, boiled, fried and baked (see Resource 1 for recipes). Point its head away from you. Always try to handle flighty snakes while sitting on the floor or while holding them over a table. If one snake is wrapped around or underneath another, gently unwrap/unbury them as you lift the one you want out. Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, found in various parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There are those that in reality revel in placing their very lives in peril, and what higher manner to do this than … A small rattlesnake reaching less than three feet (1 m), this Southwestern rattlesnake has extensive cross-banding and the smallest head of any rattler, according to the ADW. How to Survive an Encounter With a Snake. 5. Rattlesnakes become sluggish while digesting, a process that can take several days depending on the size of the meal. Red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus exsul ruber) – San Diego’s largest snake species may be found from San Bernardino and Riverside counties down into Baja California, Mexico. This will help limit the damage caused if they should fall during handling sessions. How to Avoid a Rattlesnake Attack. When holding out for people to touch, keep control of the snake's head - cup one hand under it so that you can gently direct it away from the person if they appear nervous. The best way is just to use a snake hook. However, they cannot keep hold of these layers for long, as the layers are often lost in battles, bitten off by predators or clinically damaged when they slide against rugged rocks. Why do they rattle? Snake Tongs - Seen in the photo below on the left, this grabbing tool allows you to grab, hold, and move a snake safely, at a distance. Unless you're a trained professional, handling a poisonous snake is never a good idea. A rattlesnake waggles its tail so aggressively that it produces the rattle 50 times in a single second! Until you are completely comfortable handling your snake, it is a good idea to hold it with its head facing away from you. Rattlesnakes have a highly-efficient digestive system which takes a lot of metabolic energy. ), and transport the snakes safely. Holding a pet snake can be exhilarating or even a little scary. Demonstration of Snake Poisoning by means of Experts Holding a venomous snake is one thing I by no means hope to do, however all of us want a little pleasure from time to time. How to Handle Poisonous Snakes. Learn a useful skill, and leverage roadkill for fun and profit. Whenever you must handle a flighty snake, it’ll often be easiest to do so when the snake is as cool and calm as possible. Only by observing the birth and growth of rattlesnakes can you tell the exact age of a specific snake, but you can sometimes determine the approximate age range of some rattlesnake species by size or color. First of all if the snake is wild you should never try to approach it or pick it up in any way. Check with your local fish and game commission on laws concerning hunting rattlesnake. A companion to How to Cook a Snake. Snake Hook - Seen in the middle and right photo below, this tool allows you to scoop up larger snakes (no, you don't impale them on the hook! But sometimes they can hurt you. What is the Safest Way to Catch a Snake? Rattlesnake is considered a delicacy and is prepared (dressed) for cooking in one only way but can be cooked in a variety of ways. No worries though! When you handle your snake, stick to holding it by its body and avoid holding or restraining its head. We can help let you know how to handle a snake. Grabbing them behind the head or restraining them in any way tends to make them panic. Sometimes they can even appear in your own back yard. After a rattlesnake swallows its prey, it will normally hide out while the meal is digested. How to Skin and Clean a Dead Snake: So you've got a dead snake- now what? Red diamond rattlesnakes are common in areas with little development, especially near rocky outcroppings. In Central and South America, they are almost everywhere there is wilderness. Snakes are found in many climates and terrains.