Rare Eastern Black Tailed Rattlesnake: A rare and incredible thing happened in Kerr County. It had been nearly five years since anyone had seen a rattlesnake like the one that visited.
You may wonder, “What’s unique about a rattlesnake?” This rattlesnake was unique. It was a stunning black-tailed eastern rattlesnake.
On September 15, Kerr and Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Areas staff found something interesting. They worked for Texas Parks and Wildlife and were thrilled about something they shared on Facebook.
This rattlesnake stands out from the rest. It’s not a diamondback rattlesnake, the kind we usually hear about. It’s a Crotalus ornatus, also known as an eastern black-tailed rattlesnake or beautiful rattlesnake.
Now, the fun part. Rattlesnakes vary in appearance. They can be grey, olive, or tan, with dark grey, brown, or black shapes. Do you know anything? Their “black eyebrow” adds to their cool look. Imagine if we all had dark brows.
Now, let’s discuss their character. Don’t worry. They’re not as scary as they seem. These rattlesnakes are calmer than others. If they bite you, you can get sick because their poison isn’t as strong as diamondback rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are like friendly neighbours.
They avoid eating deer or mice, which are large animals. No, they don’t eat people. Instead, they enjoy eating small fuzzy animals like mice and rats. It’s like eliminating bugs with rattlesnakes.
Now things get interesting. Last sighting of ornate/eastern black-tailed rattlesnake: November 17, 2018, Hunt, Texas. That was a long time ago! Found in the 2200 block of FM 1340. You may want to know how they know this. Wildlife fans can share their findings on sites like Naturalist.
Our friends wanted to learn more about rattlesnakes. They spoke with Texas Parks and Wildlife officials to learn all they could about these rattlesnakes.
Ultimately, this story can teach us a few things. Nature is full of surprises, like finding amazing animals like rattlesnakes in your backyard. Even scary animals have essential jobs in our world. Lastly, we must protect all animals on our planet.
Next time you explore nature, remember you might find something amazing, like the rattlesnake in Kerr County. And when you do, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Are black tail rattlesnakes rare?
As per IUCN, the Black-tailed rattlesnake is commonly found across its range, but there is no specific population estimate available. It is currently listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, indicating that its population is stable.
What is the rarest type of rattlesnake?
The Aruba Island rattlesnake is one of the most uncommon rattlesnakes worldwide! Its rarity stems from the fact that it exclusively inhabits the tiny island of Aruba, with only 25 square kilometers of undisturbed habitat left.
How venomous is a black-tailed rattlesnake?
The toxin from the C. molossus snake is mainly hemotoxic, similar to most crotalid snakes. It’s about two-thirds less potent than the venom from western diamondback snakes and usually doesn’t cause death in humans. CroFab antivenom is commonly administered to treat bites.
What is the most deadliest rattlesnake in the world?
The Mojave rattler boasts the most potent venom and a notorious tendency to be highly aggressive toward humans. Despite not being the largest or the most widespread or abundant of the rattlesnakes, the Mojave rattler (Crotalus scutulatus) is known for its highly toxic venom and aggressive behavior towards humans.