Author Topic: FLORIDA RATTLER (Read 2385 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** October 25, 2009, 10:42:00 PM »

Well, my bud sent me another e-mail of a San Augustine, Florida Easter D-Back.
15 that is FIFTEEN feet long.
From the pictures it looks like it was killed by a man with a golf club and a hoe.
IF one can strike 2/3's of its length--that is a better reach than a hoe and a 5 iron.
I will send the e-mail.
Blessings

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2009, 03:45:21 AM »

I was listening to a radio documentary on public radio a few weeks ago and there was a wildlife officer telling about how he caught a 26 foot python under somebody's house in Florida. That's huge.

I don't think I've ever seen a rattler that big, or even pictures of one. That one would scare me.

The Florida snakes that scared me the most were the cottonmouth moccasins. They can be quite aggressive, while most other snakes tend to leave whenever they get a chance. With rattlers, some just don't seem to be concerned by people so long as they've got a nice place to sun themselves.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2009, 05:15:42 AM »

I got curious about this and it seems that 9 feet is considered gargantuan for an Eastern Diamondback, so I'd want to see some really credible evidence and confirmation of anything larger. I realize they keep growing and it's always possible that there will be a lucky snake that just happened to grow up near a fabulous food supply, so I'm not saying it's impossible for it to be that large.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2009, 06:03:03 AM »

when i was a kid we stayed some summers in florida with an uncle at an air force base...many many rattlers everywhere. say many 7-8 ft but i would have to see one 15 feet to believe it.

Dee · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2009, 06:22:19 AM »

There is an article coming out of Florida where a guy killed a SIX FOOT eastern diamondback from FIFTEEN FEET away, but I can't find anything about a 15 foot rattler.

Sourdough · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2009, 07:45:16 AM »

I've seen few Rattlers in Florida, what I've seen were little ones. A few in the four or five ft range. Lots of Cotton Mouths, but mostly constrictors. Not afraid of snakes, but not fond of them either. We don't have snakes in Alaska, so they are a real rearity to me anyway.

A 15ft Rattler? Don't get between me and the next county.

fr3db3ar · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2009, 07:53:17 AM »

The biggest one I ever saw while I lived in Florida was around 7 or 8 feet. That's as big as I ever want to see them in person

BBF · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2009, 08:57:36 AM »

As long as I am out of strike range I don't care if they get 20 feet long

williamlayton · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2009, 09:38:31 AM »

I forwarded it too Sourdough and freedbear---they are the only ones with e-mails not hidden.
Blessings

Dee · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2009, 09:46:10 AM »

Can someone post the pics? I have seen some big rattlers but, the 15 footer has got to be some kind of record.

Sourdough · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:05:16 AM »

Darn, thats a big snake. Check out those fangs. I have hunted them in New Mexico, but I would not want to meet one that big.

DDZ · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:06:22 AM »

From what I found the record Eastern Diamondback in North America is 8 feet. with 37 to 72 inches being the norm for an adult. Not saying 15 feet is impossible but highly unlikely, being one has never been found that was over 8 feet.

pastorp · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:25:52 AM »

Well fellows I will say it, I don't believe it to be authenic. Not questioning you William but your source.

When I was a kid in the late 40s the 50s there were big snakes killed as a lot of land was being cleared for housing developements. But nothing over 7-8ft. The longest eastern diamondback I personally killed was 5.5 ft long.

Ross Allen ofered a reward for a live eastern diamondback for years that was 8ft. It was never colected. So no way they killed a 15ft one.

An't photo shop something. Oh and by the way: my e-mail is not hidden.

Regards,

williamlayton · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:59:51 AM »

Pastorp---sorry but your e-mail is hidden.
I will send to any who will give me an e-mail.
Hope on of you can post it.
It may be photo shoped but The head is 4" across.
Blessings

pastorp · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2009, 11:38:27 AM »

byronlparker@yahoo.com

mechanic · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2009, 11:52:57 AM »

liftmechanic@hotmail.com

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:42:28 PM »

If you happen to have a picture of it send it to me. I could post it here for all to see. Thanks Dale
DALESCARPENTRY@AOL.COM

gypsyman · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:58:08 PM »

Dale, I had a friend of mine who lives not far from where they got this guy, emailed me pictures. So I just sent them, let me know if you got them. gypsyman

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:04:50 PM »

Yea. I would have to say this guy is much bigger than 8'. Dale

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:06:16 PM »

This is a big old boy for sure. Here is the last picture. Dale

Swampman · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:07:24 PM »

The world record is about 8'. I have a 6 footer in the freezer.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:11:42 PM »

I have never eaten any snake. I wonder if it tastes like chichen.

Dale

pastorp · « **Reply #22 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:12:27 PM »

It is a big rattler, but not 15ft. If authenic it could be over 8'.

Week before last my wife & her sister spent the day at the outlet mall in St. Augustine, FL

Regards,

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #23 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:16:28 PM »

Quote from: pastorp on October 26, 2009, 02:12:27 PM

It is a big rattler, but not 15ft. If authenic it could be over 8'.

Week before last my wife & her sister spent the day at the outlet mall in St. Augustine, FL

Regards,

Yes it is way over 8'. If the guy in the back ground is 6' tall this thing has to be real close to 14 or 15 feet. Dale

pastorp · « **Reply #24 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:17:12 PM »

Dale, they say it does. I've skined a lot of them and the meat looks the color of a chicken breast. Been in hunting camps where guys were cooking rattlers but we had deer meet as well so I've never tasted the rattler meat.

I've eaten a lot of different meats, especially since I moved to the "rez" But no snakes.

Regards,

pastorp · « **Reply #25 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:21:17 PM »

By-the-way William thanks for the photos.

Dale, check out the angles of the pole and the snake in the photos. And the distance the man is standing behind the snake.

Regards,

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:26:35 PM »

Quote from: pastorp on October 26, 2009, 02:21:17 PM

By-the-way William thanks for the photos.

Dale, check out the angles of the pole and the snake in the photos. And the distance the man is standing behind the snake.

Regards,

With all due respect that snake is much bigger than 8 foot for sure. Dale

gypsyman · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:35:45 PM »

That snake probably tastes like fido or Puss-Puss!! gypsyman

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:45:31 PM »

I feel sure it isn't real.

torpedoman · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2009, 03:01:21 PM »

snakes head is way too small for it to be that size, maybe 2 1/2 in between the fangs, using a 3 1/2 in knife blade for reference, that would out it at around 6 ft maybe a bit bigger. Killed and ate a few in fla. when i was stationed there. Yes it is pretty much like chicken. Lots of fine bones.After skinning and cleaning just cut off slabs from back to belly toss on b.b.q. I stepped on a hose in the backyard at night once (barefoot) never went out without shoes and flashlight again. Normally out in the woods and fields if they were kind enough to rattle I'd just avoid them, copperheads and moccicans are another story, shoot them on sight.