Bite Me (NOT)

[Fleas]

As a hobby and a public service I do reptile rescues in and around Phoenix, AZ. There are about 40 of us and on a hot summer evening we can get as many as 60 hotline calls. As the city spreads into the outlying desert and foot hills people and wildlife start have conflicts. My job is to safely remove the reptile without harming it, me or the homeowners. Sometimes this is not easy. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was removed fron a new upscaled home in the foothills of North Phoenix. He was not a happy camper and struck at me three time when I was having him pose for pictures, scaring the heck out my helper.
http://fleas.smugmug.com/photos/1539049-M.jpg

[Mike Werner]

Rather you than me. Just looking at the pic makes me cream my pants....


Good photo though.

[Shay Stephens]

As a hobby and a public service I do reptile rescues in and around Phoenix, AZ. There are about 40 of us and on a hot summer evening we can get as many as 60 hotline calls. As the city spreads into the outlying desert and foot hills people and wildlife start have conflicts. My job is to safely remove the reptile without harming it, me or the homeowners. Sometimes this is not easy. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was removed fron a new upscaled home in the foothills of North Phoenix. He was not a happy camper and struck at me three time when I was having him pose for pictures, scaring the heck out my helper.
http://fleas.smugmug.com/photos/1539049-M.jpg
Nice, I used to live in Southern California and ran accross these guys fairly regularly. They are interesting. The young ones are extra strike-y aren't they :wink

[Fleas]

Thanks Mike and Shay.. Some of the younger ones would rather fight that flee..Most rattlesnakes just want to get away..........but every once in a while one wants to kill me. God gave them the ability to do that and I have to respect that. Later I will post one that acually charges me and I have to drop the camera and grab him. This is very rare. A rookie probably would have been bit. Most snake bits and death in the US is caused by the diamondback. We have one more dangerous yet, but he is confined to the deserts and not as wide spread. A picture later. Dont want to scare everbody off.:D

[wxwax]

Jeepers, Fleas, that's one scary hobby. Shame about the effects of population growth. Can't say you could talk me into going along with you for an evening. :gone So, consider yourself a risktaker? :nod