Rattlesnake Hunt in Texas

John Knapper is a Minnesotan who spent a year in Texas and always wanted to see a rattlesnake in the wild. With just a week to go before moving to California, we arranged for him to tag along with professional snake wrangler Shawn Jonas on a call about snakes in the vicinity of a residential area. John got his wish and then some. The question is, would he have the nerve to actually hold a live rattlesnake? Check it out...

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• rattlesnake
• diamondback
• handling
• rattlenake
• hunt
• roundup

[rmachayes]

All you guys are doing beside pointing a live weapon at you with the hammer cocked, is stressing the snake out. Snakes cannot tolerate much handling in a careless(to the snake) manner. Rattlers have their place in the ecosystem and are vital for rodent control. They have natural enemies such as the king snakes of which are many varieties. I ask you to leave em alone fellers, please.

[HudsonBendTX]

@rmachayes In this case the snakes were located next to a day care center and baby rattlesnakes had been found INSIDE the building, so I'm sure you agree that snakes in those situations cannot be left alone but must be removed, and in this case at least the snake escaped with its life.

[bordercollie1961]

Ok I know lots of professional snake people and to a person they just won't handle a live rattler. This guy is obviously good but it's just too dangerous to do this stuff he is doing. Having a bystander hold it is really not wise.  You're making people think this is no big deal. A rattler bite is extremely dangerous.

[HudsonBendTX]

@bordercollie1961 You are right, of course. We went into this adventure without really thinking it through, and had no intention of handling a rattlesnake. I'm not sure anyone will think this is no big deal, because most people have commented that we were crazy or stupid or both, to which I cannot disagree. Still, I have a framed picture of myself holding a 5-foot live rattlesnake and I can't help thinking that's a pretty cool souvenir of this reckless escapade.

[DBRielly]

haha, great! - not a lick a sense in the bunch a ya! ;)

[HudsonBendTX]

You got that right. I don't think we'll be doing it again!

[ashworth1025]

Welcome to Texas!

[MaStErPiMpjo]

that to me just screams bad idea

[ScreamingMonkey78]

Awesome video thanks for sharing.

[BigMandoF]

i want it as a pet!

[arnecam618]

How does he not get bit by it.

[xStealthReconxClan]

Oh yeah... do a cobra



[watcherman65]

OnLy in Texas....  : )

[makeitatriple]

Is it legal to hunt rattlers in Texas? I live in western Canada, and although we have diamondbacks, we're technically not allowed to hunt them (although, the fact that rattlesnakes may pose a threat, makes the law difficult to enforce).

[SHRIKE427]

You should not kill rattle snakes..... Just leave them alone and they will leave you alone! You have to just about step on them to get bit, they really don't want any trouble...

[SICKDOG831]

all im asking is that plp should respect em, there beautyful animals yes deadly but deadly beautyful, thats why they rattle to warn us, hey im here and i dont want you near me...when they bite a human its usually cause there being abuse or handle.... theres rescue groups get a hold of one of em, they will gladly help you and take that sanke to a secluded area