What to do when you hear a Rattler?

[BoingBoing]

This morning, I heard what sounded like a rattlesnake in the bushes just ahead. I figured since I heard him, he wasn't too happy. I stopped to figure out what to do.

Turning around would have made me hike my bike, and besides he wasn't rattling now. So I got on and rode.

My questions:
Are snakes in the bushes threatened by bikes that are on the trail?
How far away should I stay from a rattling rattler? I've gotten pretty close to them when they are just sunning themselves on the trail and not theatened. But I want to err on the side of caution when they are threatened.
Do rattlers rattle besides when they are threatened?

[lukewiens]

i think those nasty little critters can strike up to half of their body length. my suggestion would be to avoid them at all cost. i've been struck at 3 times this year and did a little research on what happens when you get bit to scare myself a little bit.

what i have noticed in my confrontations and waving down others to stop....they strike more defensively with bikes. all of the boogers that i have come across have been pretty big so i think they are aware of the size what they are striking. normally they will strike defensively and will not use their venom. it's the baby rattlers that will unload on you.

in the times i have come accross them i put my feet in the 3 and 9 position and run out with my momentum. i can usually dial the sound in and jump off with my bike in front of me....i want to see that booger so i know which way to run...lol!

the drawback of riding point i guess.

[dstepper]

Snakes want nothing to do with you. And yes they can bite without warning but normally it is because people are playing around with them.

Not all that rattles are snakes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada

Would be hard to finish a ride if I stopped for all the rattles in the bushes. I get more freaked out about sticks laying across the trail that I think are snakes before I release they aren't.

Dean

[Solo]

I'm no snake charmer so I'll just lean back and WHEEELIEEE!!!

Or I'll just put my feet on my bars and scream like a little girl the rest of the way down the hill.

[dirtvert]

if they're not on the trail, they're probably not close enough to get you. also, i've been hearing (and seeing a few) cicadas lately, which sound fairly close to a rattler.

btw- i wouldn't recommend it, but i've inadvertently stepped over one that was rattling and it didn't mess with me...

[92se-r]

I usually just scream like a bitch and hop around. Works so far for me.

[davidB]

i keep moving.

[Abui]

I reach for my camera.

[Shu]

I rattle back at them....they aren't soo tough

[Pain Freak]

I heard about these guys that are shitting on them, yep, right out there in the middle of the trail....

[Dizle]

pedal

[slapfan1]

If you leave it alone it will leave you alone. get out of their way let them be.

[wheel slayer]

What to do when you hear a Rattler?

Stop drop and roll

[L8 APEKS]

Most people think they are hearing rattlers when they are really hearing cicadas. They sound quite different if you hear one next to the other. Chances are, if you've disturbed a rattler enough to make him rattle, he will be close enough to see (ie, right in front of you). They won't rattle at you from 6-10 feet out.

[1080P]

I just try to leave them alone or gently shoo them off the trail, all snakes and lizards. I've pretty much seen every rattler before I heard them. But I hear there are certain trails where you can find them coiled between rocks in the middle of the trail and smell them first.

[eruizela]

Damn I hate snakes as much as sharks. Anything that could surpise you and bite a leg. I just keep riding as much as possible avoiding the hike a bike. Thats the thing that i dont like about the gabs, all those snakes.

I freak out bout sticks too, i ran over one once a month ago by accident.

Originally Posted by dstepper

Snakes want nothing to do with you. And yes they can bite without warning but normally it is because people are playing around with them.

Not all that rattles are snakes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada

Would be hard to finish a ride if I stopped for all the rattles in the bushes. I get more freaked out about sticks laying across the trail that I think are snakes before I release they aren't.

Dean

[RacinJason]

I just do the Chicken Dance . When I see a rattler.

[Taco Jack]

What to do when you hear a rattler?






turn up the I Pod

[Rockinthecasbah]

Damnt guys snake phobia every 3 weeks or what ?
if you here it rattling and you dont see it, dont worry about, somethng has already scared it away. also what most people think is a rattle are cicadas they are kind of like a grasshopper u can tell the dfference in sounds becuase cicadas rattle in groups so there nose tapers off at the end loud to soft to softer whereas rattlesnake rattles just stop.
ok back to cleaning the snakes at work

[Impy]

i have heard many rattlers and seen a few. I have never been struck at. Luke what the heck are you doin to get struck 3 times?????

I have shrieked at sticks on occasion though, hahah.