We acquired this animal about 20 odd years ago. He is a success story from the Sweetwater rattlesnake roundup. Possibly the only animal to survive that awful experience. His story is unique.
We had just opened our reptile exhibit and a guy came by with a rather nice wooden box that he said he transported snakes in. He had a diamondback that he brought back from Sweetwater, thinking he wanted to keep it himself, and then second thoughts. He wanted to know if we were interested in the animal. Of course we said yes.
Now this guy was not the average spectator. He had an "official' red vest and patches galore from all the roundups he had participated in. He was more than proud of that fact, and it was all we could do to be civil and "visit" with him until he left.
The animal was thin, as to be expected, and not all that big, probably a couple feet. But he didn't show any outward signs of noosing, manhandling, etc which could have been present. All we could do was set him up, and hope for the best.
Fast forward those 20 odd years and here is his picture!
Yes, it's a close up, but he doesn't look underfed,does he?
We've moved since then, changed our business name, etc, but we still have the snake. He's "happy", healthy and a great display specimen. He's well over 5 feet. He virtually never strikes when people tease (and we haven't gotten to them first) and he rattles almost on command.
We had just opened our reptile exhibit and a guy came by with a rather nice wooden box that he said he transported snakes in. He had a diamondback that he brought back from Sweetwater, thinking he wanted to keep it himself, and then second thoughts. He wanted to know if we were interested in the animal. Of course we said yes.
Now this guy was not the average spectator. He had an "official' red vest and patches galore from all the roundups he had participated in. He was more than proud of that fact, and it was all we could do to be civil and "visit" with him until he left.
The animal was thin, as to be expected, and not all that big, probably a couple feet. But he didn't show any outward signs of noosing, manhandling, etc which could have been present. All we could do was set him up, and hope for the best.
Fast forward those 20 odd years and here is his picture!
We've moved since then, changed our business name, etc, but we still have the snake. He's "happy", healthy and a great display specimen. He's well over 5 feet. He virtually never strikes when people tease (and we haven't gotten to them first) and he rattles almost on command.
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