A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Crotalus oreganus oreganus
I believe that this is a baby rattle snake.The last picture shows the tail and it looks like it had it's first skin shed.I have included pictures of it's front portion only. When i entered the parking lot, I saw this snake crossing the road. I decided to take pictures and try and move it. Risky business. i parked my car and with camera ready in hand ,turned around to take a few shots. And what did I find? A lady in the car behind me had run over it. The snake was quite alert even after being run over and moved forward quite a bit.A bicyclist decided to pick it up and leave it in a safer place,knowing what had happened.I wonder,how much pain do snakes feel?it was pretty defensive and had it's mouth open ready to bite,after the injury.
There was some liquid on the path the snake had moved on. Looks like it had urinated . It had blue eyes too. Maybe it was just about ready to shed. I was very saddened by this incident.The snake was beautiful and could have gone on to live for years. Just to see it injured left me with a deep sense of loss, and a sense of helplessness ,that I could not help the snake in anyway to endure it's last moments.
Yes ulvalatuca77,it was very sad. To this day I experience sadness when i drive by that spot.
Everyone should be careful when moving a fresh killed Rattlesnake. It's not a myth! A rattlesnakes's reflex can still bite up to an hour or longer after it's death. For that passer by to move it was really risky.
Yes Hema.You are right, those sort of despicable acts,this woman did is not uncommon.I have seen many people go out of their way to kill with their car.
I'm from England and it go'es on there.Hedgehogs are a common victim as well as foxes and badgers.Thanks for sharing.It's a beautiful snake.I hope someone can I.D. it.
Spotted on May 4, 2014
Submitted on May 4, 2014
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