Rattlesnake eating a rabbit on the Deschutes River

Almost stepped on this rattlesnake. He didn't rattle until my boot was inches away from his head. He was in the process of eating a baby rabbit - his jaws were wide and the head was sticking out of his mouth!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• rattlesnake
• deschutes

[oregongirl210]

Oh my...I hate those rattlesnakes! Where did you see it?

[jpiekos]

Between Madras and Maupin, on day 3 of a 4 day float trip. I almost stepped on him before he rattled - he could barely move he was so bloated, busy swallowing his meal. Thankfully, otherwise I would have been bitten.

[blunklaura]

my dad catches them to take to schools, along with various other snakes, turtles, and amphibians to teach about them, how to tell if they are dangerous or not, and that we shouldn't kill them just because they're venomous

[ConservationBoy]

Your dad is an alright man.

[johnjsil]

The Deschutes - good fishin but saw 3 rattlers on a mile trail by the river. Too many snakes. LOL Also had a rat tail beaver launch itself out of a side of a bank as i was stepping out of the water. Thing seriously tried to eat me ( i'm in shorts and tank top fishin ) all i saw was teeth comin at me - had to beat the thing off with my flyrod - it turned down river then charged me again - smacked it again with rod - hey ! i admit - i was shook !!!

[knutsmom]

thats my brothers fly rod!

[cliffwalkinfool]

Couldn't see a thing. Too shaky. Sorry.

[psychominias]

That's a beaut of a snake. Was it a tiger or a western d-back? The vid shakes alot, but I'm glad you didn't get bit. We only have timber and eastern d-backs here, so no real big ones.

[oregongirl210]

Wow. Luckily he was to busy to bother w/ you! We've seen quite a few right in the middle of established camps over the last couple years...probably 4 or so this summer. I have lots of pictures, but no video. We mostly float the lower section f/ Buckhollow to Heritage.