Texas Snake!!!!!

[dshealey]

Don't think I want to run into one of these babies! I know Texas likes things big, but this is TOO much. Site says this was near Amarillo.

[OKUIII]

That's the biggest diaqmond back I have ever seen. I can not imagine a snake that big othe than a anaconda or boa. As I hate sankes of any kind, I would probably would have a heart attack if I ever came upon one in the bush.

OKU

[KBandit]

big snake that might have been made a bit bigger by a bit of optical illusion. depends on how long that pole is.

[dougholck]

Does'nt matter how long your "pole" is, that's one big snake!!!!

Doug Holck
Lodi, Ca

[gunny]

I don't like snakes.

[jhowdy]

That would sure make a prudy pair of boots. Actually, several pair of boots with matching belts and hat bands too!

[grifscoots]

Can you believe some folks actually go into conniptions over shooting a rattler? I let the wind out of every one I find! The biggest was a six footer on top of Dunlay Hill twixt Castroville and Hondo.

They don't make very good boots, the skin is kinda fragile, but they make good hatbands and belts, when using a leather backing, will last a leetle while.

Tack the skin to a board, scrape the fat off and brush it with anti freeze (not blue, yep I know) three times a day for ten days. The anti freeze has purdy much the same chemicals a pro tanner uses

[DaFlake]

How about a pet snake?

[danbrew]

Don't think I want to run into one of these babies! I know Texas likes things big, but this is TOO much. Site says this was near Amarillo.

Holy Shit. I'da called in an airstrike on that damn thing. Amazing that snake didn't have its head beat in with a shovel. Or have a bunch of bullet holes in it. No freaken' way that I'd go near that thing - dead or alive. There wouldn't be too many pieces of that snake left if I had stumbled across it (assuming, of course, he didn't get me first...)

[KBandit]

snopes says it's undetermined.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/txsnake.asp

[grifscoots]

Snopes or no, I've personally seen them that big, dead of course. Some old boy would roll into town with one in the back of the pickemup, sure attracts a crowd. Lucky for us, they don't grow any bigger than about four foot in this part of this sticks.

[grifscoots]

BTW, it's not the big ones that are real deadly. The babies are the one's to watch out for, they have no control over their venom and when the hit you, they hit you good!

[KBandit]

in louisiana, where i used to live, the threat was from cotton mouths (called "water moccasins" locally). they can be quite aggressive ... especially a mother with her young. and i believe the venom is every bit as toxic as a rattler. they also tend to congregate in a large ball under the water during mating season. every now and then a water skier would drop off the line and settle into one of those big balls. the skier would be dead within a few minutes.

[dshealey]

in louisiana, where i used to live, the threat was from cotton mouths (called "water moccasins" locally). they can be quite aggressive ... especially a mother with her young. and i believe the venom is every bit as toxic as a rattler. they also tend to congregate in a large ball under the water during mating season. every now and then a water skier would drop off the line and settle into one of those big balls. the skier would be dead within a few minutes.

I grew up around South Carolina low country (read swamps) and am very familiar with Water Mocassins. Yes, they are a lot more aggressive than rattle snakes. I have skied by them swimming across the river I used to ski on near Myrtle Beach, they would raise their head up about 12-18" out of the water, and scare the devil out of you! No way I was going to fall though. I would have run to the boat first. :D :D We were parked on a small sandy spot once, kids swimming around, and we saw about 6 little baby mocassins swimming near the trees. Better believe we were looking hard for MAMA!

[Steve_R]

Having lived in the Amarillo in another life. The building in the background look like some the natural gas building just outside Fritch, TX. Alibates National Monument is near. I've been down in that area and I've seen some 8 footers. :eek: That's why you don't get out of the car.

[NCoe]

Can you believe some folks actually go into conniptions over shooting a rattler? I let the wind out of every one I find! The biggest was a six footer on top of Dunlay Hill twixt Castroville and Hondo.

They don't make very good boots, the skin is kinda fragile, but they make good hatbands and belts, when using a leather backing, will last a leetle while.

Tack the skin to a board, scrape the fat off and brush it with anti freeze (not blue, yep I know) three times a day for ten days. The anti freeze has purdy much the same chemicals a pro tanner usesMore importantly, did it taste like chicken?

[KBandit]

More importantly, did it taste like chicken?

i have had rattlesnake chili and it tasted like .... chili.

[grifscoots]

More importantly, did it taste like chicken?

That would take a purdy big tortilla!

[simongs]

I killed a snake at least that size once, it fed the whole squad!

Snake was an excellent addition to C-rats.

I hate snakes, even if they have a purpose...scary little creatures alright.

And that big one we ate...oh yeah, everyone was backing up when she came out ready for a fight, even snakeman was a little worried.

happy trails...geo

[oldrango]

I live about 40 miles from Fritch, which is the area that the article says the snake was found. I can't confirm or deny the report of that 9 footer, but I have seen a 6 footer that was found about 15 miles north of Fritch. It was about as big around as the one in the photo. The Big Texan steakhouse in Amarillo had one that was about 6 foot a few years ago, but I think it has since died. They do get big in this area, and a 3 footer looks like a 9 footer if you're not expecting it!