“Who ya gonna call?” This company is specialized in snake relocation “Rattlesnakes and people can coexist”
Killing a snake is never a good idea, and one group in Arizona have the perfect solution for getting rid of the fascinating reptiles.
As greedy property developers push the boundaries of every village, town, and city further into the uninhabited world, encounters with the creatures that lived there peacefully before are ever more popular.
This very thing is happening with rattlesnakes. The quiet animals are territorial and live everywhere from Canada to Argentina, with a large portion of their varied population preferring the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where bites are becoming more frequent. But there is nothing to be afraid of.
Rattlesnakes are fascinating creatures. Usually hunting birds, reptiles, and small mammals, the 36 known species use the famous rattle on the end of their tail is a warning for predators to stay away.
A honking horn of the slitherworld, they waggle the rattle - made up of modified scales - 50 times a second to tell things bigger than them that they can strike at speeds of up to 175mph, and that they possess two hypodermic needles inside their mouth that can pump anything with a potentially deadly hemotoxic potion, destroying tissue, causing necrosis and stopping blood clots. But they are, as said, recluse creatures who much prefer to be left alone than having to waste good quality mouse venom on tasteless human boots.
What should I do if I see a rattlesnake?
It is TV, film and other media that have all made a large number of people afraid of snakes. The legless reptiles are to be treated with respect, not fear, and the scaly pacifists will almost always choose avoidance over conflict. “Rattlesnakes and people can coexist,” Emily Taylor, a snake specialist at Cal Poly in California, told the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Between 7,000 and 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes per year in the United States, yet only around 5 people are actually killed. This is due to vital anti-venom science that is being carried out across the world, allowing researchers to come up with the perfect chemical formulae to battle the effects of having an unfortunate encounter with a snake.
If you come across a rattlesnake out in the wild, simply move slowly away from it, watching where you step. Don’t make any sudden movements or try to step over it, as it may feel threatened. If the snake is on your property, contact the local authorities who will come and relocate it. Killing the snake kills the ecosystem: rattlers will return to their birthplace for safety and removing an adult from its territory can have a huge knock-on effect on the local area.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment