Bull snakes also will eat rattlers. We had a huge 5 ft bull snake that used to hang out at our house and we never saw rattle snakes. We used to take care of him for several years and then the !@#$%^&*() neighbor killed it and now they are starting to show back up at the house.
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We used to do a lot of road marches out in the training areas at Fort Hood. It wasn't uncommon for somebody in the middle of the formation to suddenly be within striking distance of a full grown snake, after 20+ people had just walked the exact same path. We'd kill them with our rifles, either with a bayonet, or using them like a baseball bat because the Army wouldn't issue us ammo for a training exercise. I've seen some while hunting Texas, and have luckily seen every one in time to kill it or get out of it's way. I've seen/killed/witnessed maybe 40-50 rattlesnakes in Texas. Of all of those times, I think I've heard two actually rattle. Don't know what that means, just my personal experience in Central Texas.
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Originally posted by flashof1979 View PostFrom what I have read this is very close to the truth. The idea is that we are killing the ones we see or hear. The ones we don't kill are the ones we don't hear. Scientist believe that it is more of a genetic make up that causes the snakes not to rattle. Kind of developing another self defence system.
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Originally posted by TxAg View PostI hate it when a snake startles me. I don't mind killing a buzzworm when its too close to camp.
The snakes are not "evolving." Evolution takes a loooong time.
Not from hogs, not from us
It's a misconception that a rattlesnake rattles at every little thing. Think about it this way....some dogs bark more than others.
I'm not a scientist, but this seems at least plausible to me.
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Originally posted by denowt View PostMaybe not exactly evolution, but more selective breeding. If humans and/or hogs, etc kill the ones that have more of a tendency to rattle, then that leaves the "quiet" ones to breed more. If the "rattle reaction" is a genetic trait, then it would make sense if more snakes didn't rattle.
I'm not a scientist, but this seems at least plausible to me.
I totally grasp the concept. I just don't buy into it. It would take years and years and years for that to happen. Pigs have been in Texas since when?..1500s? Even 500 years is too short for non-rattling evolution to take place.
I used to think this theory was "possible" but i continue to think of instances that debunk it. If it were true, turkeys wouldnt tobble, elk wouldnt bugle, etc.
A lot of times farmers/ranchers are right.....but this is an instance where i'm going with proven science.Last edited by TxAg; 04-03-2012, 08:28 PM.
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