Rattlesnake Roundup

I told you in the last post that my bunch was gone that day, to the Rattlesnake Roundup. They came back with a few pictures and you can look if you want. :) Several wanted to see pictures and the blog is the easiest way to share.....so here goes.This won't be a cute post like the puppy one. :)  It is sort of interesting though. Sadie reported that 40% of rattlesnake bites are "dry", having no venom. I didn't know that. So, if you get bit, hope you are a lucky person.

I texted Morgan halfway through the day to ask how it was going. He said it was a huge success, the kids loved it! There were educational snake demonstrations, like the station below. They milked the snakes at this station and told them that a lot of the venom gets used in heart medicines. You could also have your picture taken with a rattlesnake, like the girl in the picture. Ivey reported that the girl had tears in her eyes. She also reported that one guy was obviously new at handling the snakes. She said it took him forever to pick the snake up right and he was nervous. Now, wouldn't you love to have a new, jumpy handler holding a snake by your ear for a picture? No thanks.

This was a skinning station. Anyone could pay $20 to skin a snake. Any takers??

Rattlesnake eggs. The kids came home as authorities on them. The female snake has the eggs inside, but gives birth to live snakes. 

 Now....on to "THE PITS". There were two pits. One with the majority of snakes and one where the biggest ones were sorted off for competition. There were, Morgan reported, lots of people working to measure and record every snake that came in, who brought it, etc. Lots of ladies with clipboards efficiently cataloging them all. :)

When they first arrived, this pit was fairly empty. By the time they left, it was much fuller than this. Men were walking around the pit, with snake boots on, and Shane said by the end they had to wade through as if they were walking through deep mud. They picked different ones up with snakecatchers and gave informational talks.

These are the ones that made the cut for the "big ones". Morgan said one of these will be declared the biggest and the meanest of them all. :) Not sure what the person who brings the biggest snake gets. I am thinking I would have a heart attack if I walked upon one of these guys outside.

Morgan said some of the snakes just cruised around all casual, some just found a corner and kept their head tucked in their coils, and some were mad. The men walking by didn't even flinch when, occasionally, a mad one would strike them as they went past. I have been searching myself with honesty and have to say I don't think any amount of snake gear could make me not even flinch when one struck!        

 

Morgan said he tried to zoom in on an extra big one....I think you will be able to spot him in the middle of the group. He is wishing he would have taken another video when the pit was full. The kids said the pit smelled HORRIBLE. Ivey said "The pit smelled really horrible. Over where the vendors were, it just smelled like you were at Walmart." :)

Remember I said I only gave the kids their spending money after threatening them that bad things would happen to them if they bought me any snake souvenir. Sure enough, Morgan came home and said he tried to buy me a "nice" rattlesnake hair clip but the kids were adamant that he could not because "Mama said not to!" Good children. :)

There was a "Snake Charmer" queen who wore a crown while walking through the snakes. There's something cool to put on your resume. :) 

The kids each bought a knife and a few other diddles, but no pickled snake heads in jars or fang earrings like they saw.

If anyone wants to go next year, just come to our house and we'll take you. It sounds like my bunch will be going again. Morgan says it is a cultural experience and "something to see".  :)