Thank you Bryan Hamilton! Science is hard and often takes years of dedicated work for any significant results can be produced. I've always found snakes to be fascinating and their life histories to be far more surprising than almost anyone would expect.
lutosus are amazing, I live in Utah and herp for them all of the time. Unfortunately people in my town love to go kill them so I try to educate them. They are so beautiful and misunderstood. Great video!
A great many people will kill any snake on sight. I give all wildlife a wide berth when outside. If it was a question my personal or someone else's safety, I would squeeze the trigger. So far that situation hasn't come up and probably never will as most animals fear people and will avoid contact.
I run into these snakes a lot at work (we are locate right on the edge of the Wasatch Mountain Range) during the summer months. They are very docile so it makes sense that the camera man could get lots of close up shots of these snakes.
I had the honor of encountering one near Rachel NV. Took some pics, and let it on it’s way. It did not have an aggressive bone in it’s body. Awesome creatures.
Yesterday, while hiking (in UT), my 7 year old spotted a snake on the trail. She is not a stranger to snakes and doesn't have a fear of them. Like she has at home, in the backyard, she grabbed it. Showed us the snake. Happily holding it like a trophy. Upon closer examination, we determined it was DEFINITELY a rattlesnake! And likely this Great Basin rattlesnake! We're still in shock at how lucky she was to not get bitten!!!! Thanks for the info on this video.
Wow! Thanks for sharing. So glad for this outcome. The GB rattlesnake tends to be docile, but this is quite a story! Your daughter may be a future snake biologist (:
Wowza! Maybe it had just eaten or was cold. Regardless, that would be heart stopping. So glad nothing came of it. I saw a great basin rattler hiking up to Bell Canyon Falls in Sandy, September. About 20' off the trail, 4' long, just going along doing its thing.
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Nice video. I have a pair of Lutosus, 8 years old that have given birth 2 times. I live in Sweden so no chance for me to see them in the wild so enjoyed this video much. Cheers
Very interesting and informative. We have four species here at Rock Hound State Park in New Mexico. It's against the law to kill them in the park, but some people don't care.
Bryan, very good information, and thanks for making this video. I have heard that relocating a mature rattlesnake most likely will cause it to die since homeland is so important to them. Is that true? Also, do you mark rattlesnakes that are in your study, and if so, is the mark obvious? I frequent the Osceola ghost town area regularly during mild weather and wonder if any of your study snakes are there.
Thanks for the question, Richard. It's true that relocating rattlesnakes can cause them to die. Especially here in the great basin, rattlesnakes depend on dens to spend the winter. Once they use a den, they return to that same site every year. If they are moved too far, they spend their time trying to get back "home". This can cause them to get killed by predators, cars, or humans. Once it gets cold, they often freeze to death since they don't have a suitable den. If you have to relocate a rattlesnake, my advice is to move it as short a distance as possible. A couple hundred yards is usually far enough to keep the rattlesnake and people safe from each other and keeps the rattlesnake in its home range. Sometimes people want the snake moved away miles or they'll kill it. In this case, I explain the situation but try to respect the person's wishes. I'd rather give the snake a chance to survive and move it a long way than having it killed. It's not an ideal situation. I use PIT tags (computer chips like vets use for dogs) to mark rattlesnakes. The tag goes under the skin so it's not obvious from the outside. I don't have any marked in Osceola but that is a great place for great basin rattlesnakes!
@@GreatBasinGuardian Bryan, that gives me an idea. Two miles from my place is an abandoned mine with a seasonal water source and no local human residents. I think I'll visit that site, dig a depression in a hill side, place a 2" thick high density foam sheet over it, cover it with dirt and rocks and release rattlesnakes there. I need to decrease the population of rattlesnakes at my place because of periodic grand kids visiting. I assume a 2 to 4 inch supported open space beneath the foam board would be enough to keep them safe for the winters. What else could I do besides maybe providing some grain to feed some local rodents and birds?
@@richardrobertson1331 That sounds like an interesting idea. I'll be curious how it works. fwiw I think the best way to protect your grandkids from rattlesnakes is to teach them about rattlesnakes and maybe even give them a chance to see them in the wild. Your place sounds like a great opportunity for that and a wonderful place for the kids to visit.
@@NVpyromelana , I'll take pictures and report back. I have 26 grand kids, mostly boys ages 8 thru 20 and they're all just too excited about stuff like snakes (too much like me, I guess). One recently caught a baby snake and brought it to me in his hands to identify it. That could have been tense. So, I think for now I'll make that winter den.
@@richardrobertson1331 Always better to alter the physical environment than adjust human behavior. Are we supposed to adapt to them or they to us? Whose land is it?
I was bitten by one off of Buttermilk Road just west of Bishop, California in April 1997. I spent 2 days in ICU because of my stupidity but I didn’t loose a finger. I also saw one in the early ‘90s on the east side of the White Mountains in NV.
Its primary use is for the snake to secure prey. Its secondary use is for defense. There may be medical applications, similar to other venoms. For example venom is used in pain relief, diabetes, and cancer research. Thanks for asking!
Education and conservation protects the rattlesnake, ourselves and other species... The ecosystem needs protection from humans (fears) just as humans need the ecosystem.... If a rattler poses a danger it must be removed to a safe location if possible. I certainly don't want them in or around my home.
How often does a rattlesnake feed ?...once a month ?....once every few month's ?...there's documentation that snake's can even get by just feeding once a year. Even at that when they feed it's not always a rodent they feed on. They also eat lizards and other snake's which happen to be beneficial to the enviroment. They eat all kinds of little creature's. It's not like they only kill and eat disgusting rat's and mice. And every rattlesnake in existence certainly does not come out every night and kill and eat a rodent. Bird's of prey however do, foxes do, coyotes do, wolves get there fair share, bobcats, lynx, cougars, weasels, occasionally bear, wolverines, badgers, and a few other's control the rodent populations so much more in leap's and bounds over the rattlesnakes three or four rodent kills a year (if that). In addition there are plenty of non venomous snake's that also dine on mice and rat's. I'm guessing if there were no rattlesnakes on the earth tommorow that science couldn't even measure an up tick in rodent populations because of it. We wouldn't even notice that there were no more rattlesnakes. Isn't it time to quit over hyping the ridiculous notion that rattlesnakes are sooooo beneficial at controlling rodents.
I have heard this defence of snakes, i.e. controlling rodent population so many times that I finally had to sit and think about it myself and I might be wrong but it just doesn't add up. A rattlesnake might eat a rat or mouse every other day if not less. By comparing that to the rate at which rodents procreate you can easily see that it is just negligent. That is even before talking about predation on snakes by all sorts of other predators, different birds and mammalian snake hunters who can consume several snakes a day (thank god). Just look at Australia and the number of venomous and non-venomous snakes there and yet they have regular mice (invasive specie) population explosions. They also had problem with the rabbits (another invasive) population explosion If anything snakes are attracted to the human population because of rodents. Otherwise, they have no reason to risk the danger of confronting a large number of potential adversaries. They often run away as soon as they feel the vibration of a passerby. So, please someone give me a decent scientific counter-argument or stop spreading this myth. Rodent population control has more to do with cats than anything else. Snakes can't make a dent in the rodent population on their own. There has to be a snake population density comparable to that of snake island in Brazil for them to make a difference. Once this myth is gone then maybe we can look for the real evolutionary reason for snakes and then treat them accordingly.
They are dangerous, dude. Just because you study them doesn't excuse you from downplaying their will and ability to defend themselves. Do you work for the government or a non-profit or both? The uniform your wearing seems like BLM or NPS.
Good presentation except you had to throw in the standard line about global warming…the local daily weather at any location causes a lot more temperature variation than the few tenths of a degree attributed to apg warming…in fact the earth hasn’t warmed any since 2017 or so and has been cooling a bit…no one knows what the temperature of the earth is or should be anyway…climate has changed tremendously with warmer and cooler periods before man ever arrived on the scene…it will continue to do so after man is gone from the planet…imo of course…
If you have small kids or dogs you'll come to agree that rattlesnakes belong in the zoo or in a rattlesnake burger. Get rid of the rattlesnakes and other snakes will take over eating the mice.
Pretty much a fact. Now, you can debate the cause, which he doesn't go into, but climate change is a fact. I can see that every winter. Here in north Idaho the amount of snow we get is far less than even 20 years ago.
Seriously, as an admirer of snakes from North Carolina, where we have 3 varieties of rattlesnake, you are the man. Thanks.
Thank you Bryan Hamilton! Science is hard and often takes years of dedicated work for any significant results can be produced. I've always found snakes to be fascinating and their life histories to be far more surprising than almost anyone would expect.
Such a beautiful species of rattlesnake..
Thanks for your help with protecting my favorite animal
The Great Basin Rattlesnake tops my Rattlesnake favorites list (with the Tiger and Mojave taking the number 2 and 3 spots on that list respectively).
Amazing depth of knowledge on display here, thank you for sharing
Well done, thanks! I just found one this evening outside of Carson City. Amazing creatures!
lutosus are amazing, I live in Utah and herp for them all of the time. Unfortunately people in my town love to go kill them so I try to educate them. They are so beautiful and misunderstood. Great video!
A great many people will kill any snake on sight. I give all wildlife a wide berth when outside. If it was a question my personal or someone else's safety, I would squeeze the trigger. So far that situation hasn't come up and probably never will as most animals fear people and will avoid contact.
They can simply walk away but they kill what they don't understand.
Very interesting! Thank you Bryan and Isaac:)
I run into these snakes a lot at work (we are locate right on the edge of the Wasatch Mountain Range) during the summer months. They are very docile so it makes sense that the camera man could get lots of close up shots of these snakes.
Fantastic video, thank you.
Thank you so much for this very interesting video as a snake enthusiast please let’s save our rattlesnakes!!
Love snakes, spiders.....so maligned, yet a vital part of our ecosystem.
I found a nice one in the Virgin Mts. Nevada south of Mesquite below the range map shown here. Must be the southern end of the range.
I had the honor of encountering one near Rachel NV. Took some pics, and let it on it’s way. It did not have an aggressive bone in it’s body. Awesome creatures.
I’d love to have an IPA with this fella.
Yesterday, while hiking (in UT), my 7 year old spotted a snake on the trail. She is not a stranger to snakes and doesn't have a fear of them. Like she has at home, in the backyard, she grabbed it. Showed us the snake. Happily holding it like a trophy. Upon closer examination, we determined it was DEFINITELY a rattlesnake! And likely this Great Basin rattlesnake! We're still in shock at how lucky she was to not get bitten!!!! Thanks for the info on this video.
Wow! Thanks for sharing. So glad for this outcome. The GB rattlesnake tends to be docile, but this is quite a story! Your daughter may be a future snake biologist (:
I wish I could share the picture here. Pretty intense. We are all lucky it didn't turn into a different story! Cheers!
Wowza! Maybe it had just eaten or was cold. Regardless, that would be heart stopping. So glad nothing came of it.
I saw a great basin rattler hiking up to Bell Canyon Falls in Sandy, September. About 20' off the trail, 4' long, just going along doing its thing.
I didn’t know they live in utah, I thought they only live in Nevada.
@@Username7758-zv5po same. I guess we found out.
Good video learned a lot.
Thanks! Join us on July 6, 2022 at 6 pm Pacific time for a virtual lecture with Bryan.
Register here: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1osmYgdGAbBo9c9Fn8zX6baeepGdtSamN?usp=sharing
Been To that national park once, hope to get back there sometime.
Well done video
Good job Bryan.
I would love to know what's the highest number of recaptures on individual specimens.
I know where a very strong population of Great Basin rattle snakes are that is farther east than the territory map said.
Yes his map is off.
Nice video. I have a pair of Lutosus, 8 years old that have given birth 2 times. I live in Sweden so no chance for me to see them in the wild so enjoyed this video much. Cheers
Rattlesnakes are very good especially fried golden brown..
Very interesting and informative. We have four species here at Rock Hound State Park in New Mexico. It's against the law to kill them in the park, but some people don't care.
Bryan, very good information, and thanks for making this video. I have heard that relocating a mature rattlesnake most likely will cause it to die since homeland is so important to them. Is that true? Also, do you mark rattlesnakes that are in your study, and if so, is the mark obvious? I frequent the Osceola ghost town area regularly during mild weather and wonder if any of your study snakes are there.
Thanks for the question, Richard. It's true that relocating rattlesnakes can cause them to die. Especially here in the great basin, rattlesnakes depend on dens to spend the winter. Once they use a den, they return to that same site every year. If they are moved too far, they spend their time trying to get back "home". This can cause them to get killed by predators, cars, or humans. Once it gets cold, they often freeze to death since they don't have a suitable den.
If you have to relocate a rattlesnake, my advice is to move it as short a distance as possible. A couple hundred yards is usually far enough to keep the rattlesnake and people safe from each other and keeps the rattlesnake in its home range. Sometimes people want the snake moved away miles or they'll kill it. In this case, I explain the situation but try to respect the person's wishes. I'd rather give the snake a chance to survive and move it a long way than having it killed. It's not an ideal situation.
I use PIT tags (computer chips like vets use for dogs) to mark rattlesnakes. The tag goes under the skin so it's not obvious from the outside. I don't have any marked in Osceola but that is a great place for great basin rattlesnakes!
@@GreatBasinGuardian Bryan, that gives me an idea. Two miles from my place is an abandoned mine with a seasonal water source and no local human residents. I think I'll visit that site, dig a depression in a hill side, place a 2" thick high density foam sheet over it, cover it with dirt and rocks and release rattlesnakes there. I need to decrease the population of rattlesnakes at my place because of periodic grand kids visiting. I assume a 2 to 4 inch supported open space beneath the foam board would be enough to keep them safe for the winters. What else could I do besides maybe providing some grain to feed some local rodents and birds?
@@richardrobertson1331 That sounds like an interesting idea. I'll be curious how it works.
fwiw I think the best way to protect your grandkids from rattlesnakes is to teach them about rattlesnakes and maybe even give them a chance to see them in the wild. Your place sounds like a great opportunity for that and a wonderful place for the kids to visit.
@@NVpyromelana , I'll take pictures and report back. I have 26 grand kids, mostly boys ages 8 thru 20 and they're all just too excited about stuff like snakes (too much like me, I guess). One recently caught a baby snake and brought it to me in his hands to identify it. That could have been tense. So, I think for now I'll make that winter den.
@@richardrobertson1331 Always better to alter the physical environment than adjust human behavior. Are we supposed to adapt to them or they to us? Whose land is it?
Great data
I was bitten by one off of Buttermilk Road just west of Bishop, California in April 1997. I spent 2 days in ICU because of my stupidity but I didn’t loose a finger.
I also saw one in the early ‘90s on the east side of the White Mountains in NV.
Tell us what happened!
Is a bite by a rattlesnake mega painful? Some people say snake bites can be quite painless
The general description of their prey comes across as pejorative.
When are you going to do one on Sasquatch?
Great video, a lot of similarities to the Timber rattlesnake in the east.
Damn, I feel like I should be studying rattlesnakes for a living
Is Great Basin Rattlesnake’s venom used for anything?
Its primary use is for the snake to secure prey. Its secondary use is for defense.
There may be medical applications, similar to other venoms. For example venom is used in pain relief, diabetes, and cancer research.
Thanks for asking!
I love the great basin in summer and fall time .
Great video. 👍
Education and conservation protects the rattlesnake, ourselves and other species... The ecosystem needs protection from humans (fears) just as humans need the ecosystem.... If a rattler poses a danger it must be removed to a safe location if possible. I certainly don't want them in or around my home.
Snakes eat mice 🐁 & rats 🐀
I knew a man that killed 3 dozen of these. They were near his campsite. Guess they hissed him off
Silly snakes......
How often does a rattlesnake feed ?...once a month ?....once every few month's ?...there's documentation that snake's can even get by just feeding once a year. Even at that when they feed it's not always a rodent they feed on. They also eat lizards and other snake's which happen to be beneficial to the enviroment. They eat all kinds of little creature's. It's not like they only kill and eat disgusting rat's and mice. And every rattlesnake in existence certainly does not come out every night and kill and eat a rodent. Bird's of prey however do, foxes do, coyotes do, wolves get there fair share, bobcats, lynx, cougars, weasels, occasionally bear, wolverines, badgers, and a few other's control the rodent populations so much more in leap's and bounds over the rattlesnakes three or four rodent kills a year (if that). In addition there are plenty of non venomous snake's that also dine on mice and rat's. I'm guessing if there were no rattlesnakes on the earth tommorow that science couldn't even measure an up tick in rodent populations because of it. We wouldn't even notice that there were no more rattlesnakes. Isn't it time to quit over hyping the ridiculous notion that rattlesnakes are sooooo beneficial at controlling rodents.
stupid comment !
I have heard this defence of snakes, i.e. controlling rodent population so many times that I finally had to sit and think about it myself and I might be wrong but it just doesn't add up.
A rattlesnake might eat a rat or mouse every other day if not less. By comparing that to the rate at which rodents procreate you can easily see that it is just negligent. That is even before talking about predation on snakes by all sorts of other predators, different birds and mammalian snake hunters who can consume several snakes a day (thank god).
Just look at Australia and the number of venomous and non-venomous snakes there and yet they have regular mice (invasive specie) population explosions. They also had problem with the rabbits (another invasive) population explosion If anything snakes are attracted to the human population because of rodents. Otherwise, they have no reason to risk the danger of confronting a large number of potential adversaries. They often run away as soon as they feel the vibration of a passerby.
So, please someone give me a decent scientific counter-argument or stop spreading this myth. Rodent population control has more to do with cats than anything else. Snakes can't make a dent in the rodent population on their own. There has to be a snake population density comparable to that of snake island in Brazil for them to make a difference.
Once this myth is gone then maybe we can look for the real evolutionary reason for snakes and then treat them accordingly.
They are dangerous, dude. Just because you study them doesn't excuse you from downplaying their will and ability to defend themselves. Do you work for the government or a non-profit or both? The uniform your wearing seems like BLM or NPS.
Good presentation except you had to throw in the standard line about global warming…the local daily weather at any location causes a lot more temperature variation than the few tenths of a degree attributed to apg warming…in fact the earth hasn’t warmed any since 2017 or so and has been cooling a bit…no one knows what the temperature of the earth is or should be anyway…climate has changed tremendously with warmer and cooler periods before man ever arrived on the scene…it will continue to do so after man is gone from the planet…imo of course…
Great basin rattlesnakes are predators... as spouse to other snakes??? Great basin rattlesnakes are ectothermic!!!! BTW so are all other snakes!!!
If you have small kids or dogs you'll come to agree that rattlesnakes belong in the zoo or in a rattlesnake burger. Get rid of the rattlesnakes and other snakes will take over eating the mice.
booooooooo
Nope. I have dogs and have had small kids, and I most assuredly don't agree.
Soon as I heard ,"warming climate ", I had to turn it off ! I can't abide the BS.
Pretty much a fact. Now, you can debate the cause, which he doesn't go into, but climate change is a fact. I can see that every winter. Here in north Idaho the amount of snow we get is far less than even 20 years ago.