Crotalus Atrox - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elchivito · #1 07-26-2010, 01:27 PM

We had company last night. The stupid cats had this fellow cornered right outside the door. We usually don't get them around here as the chickens are ruthless with snakes. Next to scorpions, they like buzzworm meat the best. He measured 44 inches more or less minus his head and with a few still moving S curves thrown in, so I'd guess maybe 48 total. About 3" diameter at his thickest point. Not the biggest I've seen by far but fat and healthy none the less. I won't kill them in the wild, but coming onto the patio is a deal breaker.

Jorn · #2 07-26-2010, 02:14 PM

One crossed my path when hiking at sunset last week in Griffith park, don't think I ever jumped that high and far.

elchivito · #3 07-26-2010, 08:28 PM

One crossing your path is bad juju. You better get some Osha and carry it in your pocket when you're out on the trail for a while...or so my relatives say. They don't bother me much when they're on the move and stretched out. They can't strike that far and usually run off anyhow. This guy was cornered, coiled tight and ready to pull the trigger. My wife threw a handful of driveway gravel at the cats, they ran off and the snake coiled even tighter, buzzing away. I shot him from about 6 feet away and then shot him again for good measure.

strelnik · #4 07-26-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

I shot him from about 6 feet away and then shot him again for good measure.

What do you use on them?

10fords · #5 07-26-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

What do you use on them?

Snakeshot of course! Personally I have killed more rattlers with a shovel than a gun. Now if could just figure out a way to dig a hole with my shotgun.....

layback40 · #6 07-27-2010, 12:38 AM

10fords,
A shovel is good. We get a lot of tiger snakes on irrigation here. On a hot day they will chase you. A shovel over the head fixes them.
It clearly has been getting plenty to eat given its condition. Any idea what? Take away food & water & they go some place else.

elchivito · #7 07-27-2010, 09:28 AM

The only reason this guy didn't get a shovel was he was clearly cornered, stressed to the striking point by the cats, coiled tight and in a spot where a shovel would have necessitated getting way too close to him for comfort. I keep a .410 handy. Works great for all sorts of small critters and isn't too messy.

elchivito · #8 07-27-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

It clearly has been getting plenty to eat given its condition. Any idea what? Take away food & water & they go some place else.

We had a very wet winter and there are tons of mice and other tasty little warm tidbits scurrying around at night. He's the 5th or 6th buzzworm I've heard about around here in the last two or three weeks. No way to remove the food source unfortunately.

BobK · #9 07-27-2010, 10:58 AM

I try to keep the field behind my placed mowed pretty close. The scurrying critters then become real easy targets for the airborne critters. I've already had hawks flying about 4 foot off the ground behind me as I mow. Take away the cover and most ground critters get thinned out. Take away their food and the rest leave.

10fords · #10 07-27-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

The only reason this guy didn't get a shovel was he was clearly cornered, stressed to the striking point by the cats, coiled tight and in a spot where a shovel would have necessitated getting way too close to him for comfort. I keep a .410 handy. Works great for all sorts of small critters and isn't too messy.

A snake at close range is about the only thing I can hit with a .410 anymore!! A 20 guage is much better for old blind guys and the shells are way less expensive. X2 on the mowing- I try to keep a couple hundred feet around the house cleared for just that reason.