Cool Temps= Rattlers

[IllMarty1]

For the fourth time in the last 6 years, we found a Massasagua Rattlesnake in our building. We are located near the Des Plaines River, and have swamp on two sides of our yard and a small woodlot on another side. This one, like the first 2, was just a baby, no more than 8" in length. Number 3, which we found in spring of 2006, was a nice 2.5 footer. The cooler nights we have been experiencing seem to trigger this behavior as they look for a warm spot to hole up.

6 years ago I never new rattlesnakes were even in northern Illinois.

 

[shaley]

Yuck!

 

[deere755]

I have lived in central Illinois all my life and have never saw a rattle snake. I have heard that there are a few timber rattlers around though. I live near a lake and heavy wooded area so I hope I do not have the same problem as you do.

 

[wushaw]

Four snakes in six years a problem.... That's not a problem....snow up to your you know what would be a problem.
But I guess it all depends on what ya grow up in and with.

 

[travis potter]

Four a month now thats a problem. Longest just over 4'. Under back porch, 2 in front yard, 1 in side yard. Lots of fun...........

 

[Jimbrown]

If I don't see one every two or three days it is a good week.

 

[tallyho8]

If I'm walking along and see a rattlesnake it doesn't bother me. What really shakes me up is when the person behind me shouts "Hey, you almost stepped on that rattlesnake".

 

[deere755]

If I don't see one every two or three days it is a good week.

Have you ever thought about moving. I would never go outside if I lived there.

 

[Slamfire]

No rattlesnakes yet, been here 12 years now. Two copperheads in that time, one was the rope in a dog tug o' war. The other was hidin' in my loggin' chain. That one gave me a start.

 

[WTA]

Having been bit by a cotton mouth while out fishing by myself nearly 5 miles from my truck a few years ago I don't like anything that has poison anymore. I almost got nailed by a rattler here 2 years ago. I stepped right over one while me and my son were out quail hunting in one of the pastures. It was a big diamond back. It was right between my feet hidden in the tall grass and coiled up ready to strike. I don't know if that was scarier or having my son shoot it with a 12 gauge between my feet. Since I saw that one we started hunting their natural predators around here. King snakes. I got a few from the city dog pound and found several locally and we just turn them loose here. I've only seen one prairie rattler since and he got plowed and turned into fertilizer since I was on the tractor.
I hate poisonous snakes.