Rattlesnake die upon relocation(?)

RandyRhoads · 06-30-12, 11:45 PM

A biologist at BLM said that if a rattlesnake is taken more than a mile from it's home it will die. Has anyone ever heard this, and can you elaborate on it. It doesn't make sense to me how that would happen. If it's true then why would all these rattlesnake removal companies even relocate them if they were just going to die..?

I also heard from someone at the same place that they can sense humans when you get within 40 ft of them. Is this an accurate number? (assumption?) or more random statements from them?

Brently · 07-01-12, 12:44 AM

Well I am no scientist but both those thoughts sound absolutely ludacrous to me. Rattlesnakes don't have a marked out territory. They roam in search of food and water just like other animals. Relocation should in my mind have no effect so long as the new area is suitable.

infernalis · 07-01-12, 01:14 AM

It has been said more than once that most snakes relocated too far from where they were collected fail to thrive.

I think it has something to do with them knowing where the food is, brumation sites, and breeding sites.

Now from my own observations, the local garter snakes behind my house are usually located at right about the same place each year at about the same time, apparently the have predetermined movement patterns, and relocation throws them off.

RandyRhoads · 07-01-12, 01:50 AM

Interesting. Thanks Wayne. Someone also told me they don't go more than aroudn 140 ft from there den. In that case tomorrow i'll have to go back to where I found that mohave rattlesnake shed.

RandyRhoads · 07-01-12, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brently

Well I am no scientist but both those thoughts sound absolutely ludacrous to me..

Hey, that's your states BLM office at work.

Kingsnakechris · 07-01-12, 09:17 AM

I'm almost positive rattlesnakes can be re located more than a mile away, I've taken them from the desert to my house (when I was ALOT younger,braver and dumber) and that was a few miles away, as far as them being able to sense us 40 ft away, that could be very true. I'm out herping all the time and quite often I can hear a rattle start up easily 30-40 ft away (guesstimate), they most def. know your there LONG before you know their there...

Kingsnakechris · 07-01-12, 09:22 AM

Thinking about it, 40 ft may be pushing it, but they can pick you up from a fairly long way away.

marvelfreak · 07-01-12, 09:28 AM

If this was true there would be no Rattlesnakes in captivity as they would all die before they could ever reproduce.

Brently · 07-01-12, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

If this was true there would be no Rattlesnakes in captivity as they would all die before they could ever reproduce.

thank you. I was about to make that point. also as far as the sensing from 40ft thing is concerned, take into consideration the perspective and senses of the snake. looking up at a human from the ground with a clear path to see 40ft would still be pushing it based on their vision. However with their sense of smell and the proper wind direction 40ft is easily believable for them to be aware of our presence.

infernalis · 07-01-12, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

If this was true there would be no Rattlesnakes in captivity as they would all die before they could ever reproduce.

In captivity, we provide for their needs, it's not the same as in the wild, not even close.

marvelfreak · 07-01-12, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

In captivity, we provide for their needs, it's not the same as in the wild, not even close.

Very true. My point is when they were taking from the wild if this was true they would have die a mile from their dens. Unless the first pairs taking were kept in that mile area and they breed successfully for them. The fact that we have them in captivated and they thrive is proof there's no real logic behind someone saying "they die if taken a mile from their home".

infernalis · 07-01-12, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

The fact that we have them in captivated and they thrive is proof there's no real logic behind someone saying "they die if taken a mile from their home".

This is very true, it's when they are captured and then released miles away that the problems arise.

marvelfreak · 07-01-12, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

This is very true, it's when they are captured and then released miles away that the problems arise.

This is why anytime something is captured it should always be released as close as possible to were it was found. People who don't do this are just being irresponsible to the animal and their needs.

Roadtrash · 07-04-12, 01:18 AM

I don't know if they can detect humans at 40 feet but with our size and the vibrations that we put into the ground they know something large is coming. As for the removal of a rattlesnake from its home area, I've heard this before but not from a person who was an expert in the field. I've never seen any evidence of it myself but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

MDT · 07-04-12, 03:50 AM

I would think there would be some telemetry data out there somewhere that could refute this. (or prove it)......methinks the BLM dude may be misguided.