Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management Snakes

To quote Sunil, "Freak!!!"

When I was in high school, I raised a pig for a FFA project. One morning I went to feed her. I spooked a small rattlesnake, maybe 3' or so. It slithered into her pen and she caught it. She picked it up form the middle and started chewing and eating the thing while it bit her in the neck. She continued to eat it until it was dead. I tried to get it away from her to get the rattlers, but she wasn't sharing. She ate the whole thing and then finished her breakfast. The bites never seemed to bother her but I lost a little sleep over it!

Wow, 8fishermen, your post made me curious so I googled "pigs and snakes." Apparently pigs are widely considered great rattlesnake killers.

From one of the articles that I read, the question was how should someone deal with rattlesnake problems:

Have you ever considered hogs? If you have enough property to support a couple of pigs, you just may have found an answer; pigs are natural enemies of snakes, rattlesnakes in particular. Not only will they typically kill them but seem to really enjoy eating snakes as if they were a gourmet specialty.

Wild pigs as well as your large farm type pigs are well known for killing and eating rattlesnakes and are worthy of consideration of being a solution to a problem. Pot bellied pigs just would not do as they are not nearly as aggressive, as well as lacking in size to be of any good. Small young pigs may be in danger as well yet as a pig gains in size becomes an outmatched adversary for any snake.

There are some instances where the pig may die, more likely with some of the more venomous snakes such as adders, perhaps even by really large Diamond Back Rattlers. Many times it is the Pig that will come out triumphant, and in many cases, an excellent solution.

There seems to be a bit of confusion as to why this is the case as they certainly are not immune to venom. Some people even believe this is because they have heard pigs do not have veins to carry the venom but this simply is a myth. All mammals have veins; however there is a lack of access to superficial veins on pigs. The veins being protected by a large layer of fat under their skin, so therefore perhaps a snakes fangs just does not typically hit or reach a vein most of the time.

This city boy is learning new stuff all the time.

Fatty McRattlepants

My nephew caught a 2' rattler last weekend right beside the house. We had been working right where he found it. He caught it with a shovel. Caught it real hard right behind the head.

It really was a sight to behold. The snake bit the pig/hog (about 200 pounds at the time) multiple times in the neck. I have always heard that it has something to do with the fat layer under the skin. Her neck never even swelled. The last year we lived in that house, we killed 7 in the yard! from small to around 4'. Now days I will stop and let one cross the road, as long as it in not headed into the yard! That is still taboo in my book.

Tell the lad I said great catch!

Once the rattlers are gone, you'll need tigers to take out the wild pigs (there was an old lady that swallowed a fly).

Yeah, good point. Though tiger skins would look pretty nice hanging on your wall!

Probably cut down on trespassers too. It would certainly add excitement getting to and from the deer stand during archery season.

Here's an eastern hognose from the other side, feigning death. You can roll him
back on his belly, and he quickly rolls on to his back again. They hiss and act
vicious, but never bite. When they strike, they usually don't even open their mouth.

Good thinking! That would definitely make a day in the woods a bit more sporting!

I don't watch much TV, but I do check the news on a number of TV stations. Here is a good story about the Copperheaded Rattle Moccasins of West Virginia from a Charleston-Huntington WV station:

West Virginia Copperheaded Rattle Moccasins

Ken

Had an interesting snake experience last week. I caught a danged big water snake in my BG trap. Thanks to the snake, it wasn't a real productive set. The trap is about the size of a 30 gallon barrel. I shook the snake down into the bottom and opened the end door. He(?) got out and headed for the trees.

You mean to say you passed on a perfectly good chance to end that sucker??? Sheesh!!! What's wrong with you, man??!!

Ugh.

I like the Taurus Judge for back country hiking. The .45 colt is big enough to kill bears and unfriendly people and the .410 with #6 bird shot is perfect for rattlers and other unfriendly snakes.

Todd, snakes don't bother me and this one didn't look poisonous.

Actually, I don't even kill rattlesnakes unless they are around the house, barn or ponds. I chopped one in half last year that was trying to make it under the house. Problem is, I started having mouse problems after that.

I purchased these tongs(well made product IMO) 4 yrs ago for the wife to handle snakes in the vicinity of the house and barn. It helps to pull them out of the rose bushes, and to reposition the reptiles away from the house and into the woods.
It's worth it if you live in an area w/ poisonous snakes, or keeping your distance if you make an mistaken ID (or if you just don't like touching them); 99% of what I have seen are ratsnakes and red-belly water snakes.
I don't feel the compelled to kill snakes indiscriminately either, and I haven't seen a mouse(or signs of them) in the barn for 3 years...I haven't seen as many snakes near the house/barn area since the mouse pop. reduction also...

http://tongs.com/gentlegiant40inchtong.aspx

That's gotta be defanged. Even so I wouldn't mess with one, let alone a little kid.

I'll stop now before I get in trouble.....