Lthrnck wrote:
Out of curiosity, have you noticed the rattlers here in tx changing their behavioral patterns due to the increased presence of hogs?
No, but I do not travel as much as I used to into areas where Rattlesnakes are abundant. Where I live (Deep East Texas) Rattlesnakes are fairly rare so I really have no current firsthand experience to share concerning the impact of Feral Hogs upon snakes (of any type).
A friend of mine is a hunting guide and he claims more people are getting bitten because the rattlers are rattling less.
If your friend has data to support his claim (more people are being bitten), I would be interested in seeing it. I am not challenging his assertion….you understand, but I would like to see some meaningful numbers.
It is easy to imagine Rattlesnake bites could be on the increase, but the reason(s) for that are more likely related to the increasing human population, residential encroachment and folks simply being careless.
He thinks they don't like to alert the hogs to their presence so humans come up on them and with no rattle warning, they are more likely to be bitten.
It’s not a bad ‘theory’…..but I do have some trouble with it. Before presenting my objections, let me first state “I AM NO EXPERT”, I say that unequivocally!
I do however….have a fair amount of experience with both Feral Hogs and Rattlesnakes.
I grew up in the Hill Country of Texas and spent a considerable amount of time hunting on Ranches in South Texas. Both areas hold good numbers of Rattlesnakes and besides the normal contact you would have while outdoors, we (myself and a couple of good friends) caught Rattlesnakes to sell.
I have personally caught and handled several hundred Rattlers under various conditions, so their habits and temperament….I am familiar with.
Back to the idea that the snakes are purposely being quiet: I suppose it is possible, but we are talking ‘learned behavior’ for that to be true.
For instance…an individual snake would have to survive an incident where ‘rattling’ attracted the unwanted attention of a Hog. The next meeting would involve the snake being ‘quiet’ AND making the association between that and not being detected.
For this ‘behavior’ to become significant….or ever become a ‘trait’… would require the snake to pass it on genetically. Again, not impossible….but the idea of it suggests an intelligence that I don’t think exists in Rattlesnakes.
Have you noticed anything to support his theory?
I have not, but I have only my personal experiences to go on.
I will say this though: Fully 80% of the snakes I have encountered (until handled) did nothing other than try to remain hidden or get away, never offering to rattle until severely provoked, cornered or handled.
The ‘rattle response’ is a very real warning and is exhibited because the snake feels threatened, NOT to pre-warn of its location.
Yes, I have come upon a few that rattled and struck out from the “get-go”, but generally they were found to be about to shed their skin and had an opaque covering over their eyes.
Rattlesnakes (Western Diamondbacks) are often mischaracterized. It is common belief that they always (or often) rattle when approached. My experience shows exactly the opposite.
I submit….they rattle primarily when threatened or when they know (or think) they have already been detected…. and as a last ditch warning.
I do not believe they are NOW being quieter, I believe they always have been and still are (unless provoked).
As for hogs:
I do not dismiss the idea that Hogs have an impact on the snake population; it is well known that hogs can/will dispatch a snake with ease; the hog(s) always win.
So snakes certainly have something to fear if they are sharing the same territory with Feral Hogs, but I have a hard time believing snakes are evolving because of it. But who knows…….?
Anyway, those are my thoughts on it.
Flint.
Edit: I see my friend DNS types faster than I do, I was actually thinking of him as I responded, he would be a good person to weigh in on this thread.