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snake identity
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by Madison1004 on September 20, 2005
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A friend of mine was working construction in Maryland and came across a baby snake. He brought it home with him and is keeping it in captivity. He was unable to identify the snake, but says he thinks it is a rattlesnake, because he heard the rattling noise coming from the cage. It didn't have a rattle when he found it, but apprently it does now. If I email you a photo of this snake could you possibly identify it and tell my friend of the dangers of someone untrained in handling poisonous snakes keeping this snake as a pet? He has small children in the house and says that it is "safe" to have the snake there because he has the cage locked and he is the only one with the key. From what I've seen on the internet, the only rattlesnake native to Maryland is the Timber Rattler. How dangerous would their bite be to a small child? What are the chances of the snake escaping from a locked cage? He says that he knows what he's doing because he's been handling snakes all of his life, but he's never kept poisonous snakes before. Please give me some advice to convince him that this situation is unsafe! Maybe he will listen to an expert. Thank you for your assistance!
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RE: snake identity
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by Phobos on September 20, 2005
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Hi:
Email me the picture phobos11@aol.com. It's possible but unlikely a venomous snake. Many non-venomous snakes will rattle their tails when mad or frightened making noise that sort of sound likes a rattle. Any venomous snakebite is a life threating event, even more so when a child is the victim. Snakes are also know to be talented escape artists, able to get out of many types of enclosures.
Al
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RE: snake identity
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by LarryDFishel on September 20, 2005
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Phobos is right on.
I would also add that even if it does turn out to be a rattlesnake, the fact that he neither knew what it was nor the fact that non-venomous snakes rattle sort of counters his claim that he knows what he's doing. I'm a big beleiver in personal freedom and I would not go so far as to tell him that he shouldn't keep it if he wants to, but I can say with some authority (maybe that's the wrong word) that working with non-venomous snakes is not enough to fully prepare you to keep venomous. It helps a lot, but there are many differences. You should at least suggest that he do as you did and educate himself a bit on the subject.
I would also be interested in seeing the picture although I'm sure phobos will tell you what it is.
ldfishel@yahoo.com
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RE: snake identity
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by LarryDFishel on September 21, 2005
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I'm not familiar with the specific species of your area, but even with that and the small, blurry pic, I can tell you it's a juvenile ratsnake. They're quite enthusiastic "rattlers", especially when young.
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