Question about Texas rattlesnakes!!!

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Canadian_Trucker, Aug 5, 2020.

  1. Canadian_Trucker

    Canadian_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    So let me start by saying that I have mostly done short haul runs to the US as a Canadian driver. East coast and midwest to be exact. Yesterday I saw an ad somebody had posted about needing drivers to do runs to Texas. Now, it is not the run that I'm worried about too much, I mean the money is there and there are solid miles. But my question is going to be a bit awkward and maybe funny to a lot of you, but try to understand where I'm coming from and answer my question seriously. The thing is, I grew up in Canada and as we all know, Canada is mostly cold throughout the year. So in a country like Canada, you are not likely to see cold bloodied animals, such as snakes, very often. I am not used to seeing snakes, because to be honest I have never in my life seen a snake in real life, only photos. And even the very image of a snake frightens me. Texas is known to have an abundant amount of rattlesnakes. So my question is, how likely am I come across rattlesnakes? Would they be near truck stops, shippers or receivers? And how should I react and what should I do if I see one in real life? I have never seen a snake, and this is why I'm asking this question. Granted this question probably will sound silly or hilarious to some of you, but I need honest advice.
    Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
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  3. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You're probably not going to ever see a snake. It is possible though outside the cities. Rural truck stop etc, but again, probably not likely. Now, should you stop on the side of the road, on ramp etc, you may.
    I dont want to down play it cause you can see snakes anywhere, but in reality, unless you're in a rural setting, you're not likely to see one.

    If you do see one, just stay away from it. Its usually not gonna chase you down & bite you...lol. Just try to avoid it, but reading your post, I dont think I need to expand on that.

    Just be careful when you step out of your truck & just be mindful of where your putting your feet.

    Mostly swampy &/or wooded area's for some snakes.... Rattle snakes are worse in west TX in the hills & rocks etc. But we have all kinds of snakes including rattlers all over the south.

    I dont like snakes either. Someone will say, "Oh its just a XX snake, he wont hurt you." His name is snake & that's all I need to know.
    Some snakes are good to have around. King snake & Rat snake eat rodents & aren't aggressive or poisonous. But, again, to me, his name is snake & I want to stay away from it.
     
  4. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    Slim chance you will encounter any rattlesnakes in your situation. Out in the oil fields maybe. They will avoid humans unless you happen to step on or near one out in the wild. I have lived in the desert Southwest my whole life. Never had any issues with snakes.
     
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  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    They are more afraid of you then you are of them.

    All my travels to the south west I have seen zero.


    However when I was a kid, back in the 60's my cousins and myself went exploring in a closed dairy and the oldest in the group lifted a milk crate for bottles and there was a rattler, stuck fast biting him on the leg and slithered off fast. This was in the upper peninsula near the Wisconsin border. He survived, and the guy was bit twice more by rattlers, once near this place and once in i think Utah or Nevada.

    Oh and he went to university to specialized in reptiles. Don't think he was a DVM, but know until he retired, he had a lot of snakes because of his experience being bitten.
     
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  6. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    the old saying, "everything is BIG in Texas", also applies to "rattlers"

    why they is so big....."HOW BIG ARE THEY BUDDY"..??

    why they is so big, they will swallow you up, while STILL INSIDE your 18 wheeler, that's how big they is...

    i'd stay away from Texas, and maybe get on down to Florida instead..

    at least down there they only have moron people that make the news nearly every day.

    and you'll get to go home ...ALIVE.....ALIVE......
     
  7. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    There are rattlers everywhere down there! They hide under all the truck tires. They hide in your fuel tank and BOO! when you open it up. They hide on your roof and wrap around your mirrors and drop down on you and wrap around your neck when you crack your window. It's a jungle down there.

    There are supposedly rattlers in all the truck stop showers but I haven't seen them there. Rattlers all twisted up in the pallets under your freight. They get in through the cracks in your trailer. You can't even see the cracks but 10 ft. rattlers get through them. I had a big rattler come out of the coffee pot at a Flying J not too long ago! I put on my shoes one morning in my locked truck and there was a big rattler in the toe that got me. I almost died. Spent 6 months in the ICU and then they kicked me out when covid patients outnumbered me. I lost that toe. They call me old 9 toes now. Or Covid reject. Or just 'Rattler'. I like that one the best. I feel kind of like a rebel biker trucker.

    Since then I usually just find 2 or 3 in my bunk before I go to bed but I get them out with Oreos. They love Oreos. I've never found one more than 6 or 8' in my bunk.

    You'll be fine.
     
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  8. Canadian_Trucker

    Canadian_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    I know I'm not from Texas and I've never seen a rattlesnake, but you're joking right? Because your post seems to be a bit of an exaggeration, like I have stated earlier that I need serious replies. You seem to be exaggerating, but if not and you're actually serious, then maybe I should reconsider my decision. Again, is your post meant to be taken seriously or are you joking?
     
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  9. Oor

    Oor Road Train Member

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    Grew up in South Texas.

    Stay out of the bush and you'll be fine. If you do go in the bush, always watch where you step. But don't go into the bush.

    If you see a snake, just back away.

    They do sometimes come out on the pavement at night for warmth. Carry a flashlight.

    Wouldn't worry about it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
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  10. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    I live in Rattler country. I kill 3 or 4 a year. Apr-oct. is when they are mostly out. I’ve had 2 dogs bit by them. One dog twice in 3 years. There is an antivenom that hospitals and vets have and I’ve only heard of a handful of people dying from them in the past 30 years.
    Be careful in tall grass, wood stacks, pallets on ground, rock and brick piles and brush piles. If equipment has been sitting for a while be extra cautious when crawling around it. They love to borrow under tires and get up between warm brake drums and wheels. They can climb trees and up high but don't normally have too. If you are in an area that has mice, rats and rabbits they well be near. That is a big part of their food. Big ones can swallow a whole bunny. Once they strike they will run because they can only use venom once. The smaller ones will chase and attack noise, vibration, and shadows. The bigger mature ones will watch, study, and flee unless you do not back away.
    Do not be stupid like all the mothers who put their kids in easter clothes and sit them down in a field of Bluebonnets. Rattlers and Corals love Wild flowers and the vermin they bring.
    Armadillos and wild hogs hunt and eat Rattlers.
     
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  11. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Scorpions and Yellow Jackets are more threatening this year than rattlers.
     
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