Rattlers in Borderland ??

[huff'npuff]

Was on Bob's trail at Borderland this morning with my beginners' ride , and stopped to talk with a couple that were hiking. The guy said that he had seen a rattle snake up in the vicinity of the Friends, Granite hills area or at the end of the park several months back. Has anyone else heard this, or seen one ? He said he informed the ranger.
Maybe he was BS'ing,but I thought I should let everyone know just in case. That would be near Rattle Snake Hill,but I didn't think there were anymore around. If there are, they more'n likely shy away from the trails,but you never know.
huff&puff

[Slider]

Consider yourself lucky to get a glimpse of an Eastern Timberback rattler. They're shy, and increasingly rare. I came across one sunning in the Blue Hills many years ago. It disappeared into a rock crevice as soon as he caught wind of me.

Slider

[heckler]

The Blue Hills, I seem to remember, was one of the last major spots where you could find them. That was quite a while ago though. Not surprised there are still some around. Just remember, a rattler can't strick if he isn't coiled, right? Ride over or by and just keep going! Leave the sanke bites to your tires.

[huff'npuff]

Yeah, I remember 'em at Blue Hills and at Rattle snake hill. I just posted because I would feel bad if someone had an encounter and I hadn't said anything.
*bringing flute on rides from now on* :-)

[DVRider]

Wow! Earlier in the year there were reports of Rattlers in Lynn Woods, now in Borderland? Either there's too much development going on, or there's a group of folks that are trying to scare MTBers out of two of the most technical and fun places to ride in Eastern MA.

[talisman]

There aren't really many Eastern Timber rattlers left in MA and seeing one alive is an event to be savored.

[Mr_Cheeze]

It's possible these sighting may have been of an Eastern Milk Snake http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/Eastern%20Milk%20Snake%20%20%20(Lampropeltis%20tri angulum%20triangulum)009.JPG

Or maybe even a Northern Copperhead http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/species/photos/030016-3.jpg

[Mt.A TODD]

Just as long as there are no Mother F****** Snakes on my Mother F****** plane, I’ll be all set!

[aveski2000]

Todd, it's only a movie.

[huff'npuff]

The guy said he saw the tail and heard the rattle. I'd be more inclined to think, if it is a rattler, that it'd be the copperhead. I think they're still around in a fair amount.
Oh well, like they say - they're more afraid of us. US doesn't include me though. I'm not in any hurry to meet up with one !

[talisman]

From the U Mass Snake Page

Copperheads prefer rocky, forested hillsides and wetlands for habitat. Wet areas are particularly sought out in the hot summer months. Small mammals and frogs account for most of the prey items taken, but birds, insects and other snakes are also important parts of their diets. When approached, they will either move away quietly or lay motionless, relying on camouflage to protect them. Occasionally, they will vibrate their tails. Bites usually occur when people unknowingly step on or touch unseen snakes. Despite the venomous nature of copperhead bites, they are rarely fatal. In Massachusetts, copperheads are so rare and reclusive that people almost never encounter them.

[peterdbikes]

I have heard that some other snakes have learned to simulate the rattlle as an effective defense. Not sure which...

[Jisch]

I have heard that some other snakes have learned to simulate the rattlle as an effective defense. Not sure which...

How to tell if its a "real" rattler:

Grab the snake by the tail, when it bites, if you die, then you know it was a poisonous snake, if you don't then it wasn't.

John









:-) of course.