The new Mojave Rattlesnake

[MoJo]

I love the first photo. She looks so mean and angry!

Joanna

[RZL36]

Coachwhips are like giant garter snakes. Wish I had the room to keep them, but I probably would go for the Jersey taipan...the black racer.

Is that whip nasty?

[Bay_area]

Originally Posted by RZL36

Is that whip nasty?

No, I have heard stories of some that bite right for your eyes too. I just put it down for burmation this week, but ussually it sits right above the computer. When I first caught it, my friend wanted it for his highschool classroom. I guess the teens going in & out all the time had it on edge the whole time. So he gave it back to me & it has done well ever since.

My friend's class has reptiles around the whole room I wish I would of had a teacher like him when I was growing up.

[adamanteus]

That'a a beautiful looking rattler your wife has there, Jerry.

[salzar]

again the pix are wonderful, just about as close to the real thing as I would want to get... that coach wip is beautiful .. supper nice snakes.. bye
michelle

[drache]

Originally Posted by Bay_area

Probly! That is one of my favorite places to herp! Hwy 247 between Lucerne Valley & Barstow. This year had less than an inch of rain, so herping was not too good.

I'd be willing to meet one again in a controlled environment some day
but that night on the airstrip I was entirely unprepared when that thing went off, less than two feet to my left and it was a bit stressful
the reason I say "that thing", is because it looked just like a rock in the moonlight
when I say "went off", what I mean is what people refer to as "rattling"
the word implies something merely auditory
it was more like the rattling was inside of me and somehow I'd just been injected with adrenaline, caffeine, and a bunch of other stimulants all at once
suddenly I was wide awake and a little wobbly
the snake was very close and I just wanted to give it a very clear message that I was not in the least interested in it
so I just kept walking right past it and when I looked back, I could barely see it
it was all coiled with head sticking forward
that's the closest I've ever been to one without glass between us and I didn't even get a good look
thanks for the pictures

[garterchick]

those are beautiful snakes but i have to admit that i couldn't deal with venomous snakes. i'll leave that to the experts, which i can only assume you are one of.

[Lori P]

That classroom is AWESOME!!!

And Jerry, your wife looks like she enjoys herping as much as you do-- that's great!!

[MoJo]

That classroom is something. I can't even imagine all the work to keep it up. What kind of snakes and other reptiles does he have?

[Bay_area]

Originally Posted by MoJo

That classroom is something. I can't even imagine all the work to keep it up. What kind of snakes and other reptiles does he have?

All California nonvenomous reptiles & amphibians. It really is a great setup. most of the enclosures are on that side of the room, but there are enclosures on all sides.