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Rattlesnake devolution?
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by Joy on August 25, 2004
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Hey, I’m new here. Go easy on me if this has been brought up before.
Has anyone else heard of this? In my area of southern WV, anything that rattles gets its head bashed in. (Horrible, I know. But this seems to be an all consuming passion for some old timers around here.) Now friends are telling me that there are timber rattlers in the wild that are NOT RATTLING in warning. I haven’t seen this myself, but these are reliable sources that know my snake obsession and turn to me for answers.
Is this forced evolution? Is this something like the pepperd moth evolution where humans are forcing the evolution of a population?
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RE: Rattlesnake devolution?
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by Crotalus_Catcher on August 25, 2004
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All I can say is that EVERY rattler I've caught in the Texas area has reacted differently. I've had some start rattling and striking the moment I flipped the board, and some, such as the one in my profile picture that never rattled, even when being handled and photographed. I have also had some strike out from under prickly pear patches without rattling. Granted, I have never come into contact with a Timber Rattlesnake (YET!!!), all we have out here are WDBs, but I can say that in my experience, the snakes disposition to rattle, strike, or a combination of the 2 varies from snake to snake. Other factors could include the weather, etc. I'm just a hobbyiest that gave up his dream of Herpetology becuase college Biology was too tough though, I'm sure there's a pro on this board that can help you out.
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RE: Rattlesnake devolution?
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by GREGLONGHURST on August 25, 2004
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It makes sense that a rattlesnake that does not rattle in the presence of man is more likely to live to pass on those quiet genes. That would be continuing evolution, not devolution.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Rattlesnake devolution?
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by Phobos on August 25, 2004
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Greg is correct it's evolution.
In my experience collecting at a large Timber Rattlesnakes den site in NY followed a general rule:
If the snake was in the open and felt that it was seen it would rattle and go into a defensive posture. If it was under cover, even if I could see it and it felt secure it was quiet.
When I moved to Tucson and collected many of the local species. They did not rattle even if they were in the open. Only when I hooked them, not even when I went "nose to nose" with a big Atrox. Very different from the Timbers back east.
Al
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RE: Rattlesnake devolution?
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by Joy on August 27, 2004
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Not going on the defensive, just explaining myself.
I called it devolution, because rattlesnakes evolved their signature rattle for a reason: protection. Now it appears they may be evolving again. Only this time humans are forcing that. The absurd aspect of all this is that the people who are hunting these noisy snakes down and killing them are motivated by fear. They are afraid of being bitten or having their family or animals bitten. It’s ironic that they are helping in evolution of the stealth rattlesnake.
So do you think the behavior may be inherited?
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RE: Rattlesnake devolution?
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by Phobos on August 29, 2004
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Hey Joy:
We are calling the process evolution and you are calling it de-evolution. One in the same.
Is it a behaivior that is a trait that can be passed on genetically? Maybe, time will tell, if we don't cause their extinction by habitat loss or over collecting. Not to mention the States that still allow rattlesnake roundups; a politically correct term for Rattlesnake slaughters.
Al
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RE: Rattlesnake devolution?
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by BwViper on September 8, 2004
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I keep many different species of rattlesnakes, including Timbers and Canebrakes. Each snake has it's on way of doing things. some will strike first then ask questions, some will rattle and stike if they feel threatened and some do nothing unless they are actually touched. Most Western Diamondbacks pose straight up rattling and ready to strike once you approach them, Mojaves seem to do the same. Blacktails don't seem to care about anything, MOST, not all, just lay there and don't hardly even respond to being hooked or put into a container. I would have to agree though, that most of the Canebrakes I have kept, do very little rattling towards me. I have a female Canebrake that "huffs" like a Gaboon. She will NOT rattle not matter what I do, but she can sure give a Gaboon a run for it's money when it comes to huffing. So it would be hard to say if it is de-evolution or evolution. Seems that they are simply getting wiser to man. Good for them. I would say that by them being quieter, would definatly help them when round-ups come around, in which I think round-ups should be out lawed and each and everyone that participates in them should face charges for animal cruelty or get tagged by the biggest rattlesnake out there and just rot in their own ignorance. But anyway, that's another story. Is a good question though.
Bobby
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