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Zancarius | 4 months ago

I live in an area where we have these[1], and they're generally not something you see all that often. Their biggest danger isn't their venom (they're less venomous than the diamondback) so much as their curiosity, which can get them into locations they otherwise don't belong. They aren't overly aggressive snakes, and I've encountered them several times over the years.

Alon with bullsnakes, they're extremely useful for getting rid of said rodents—which CAN carry awful pathogens, like hanta virus!

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-tailed_rattlesnake

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RajT88|4 months ago

I lived in NC for 6 months once. My boss at the time told me I'd need to watch out for copperheads in September when they come out. Indeed, I did have to shoo one off a bike path when September came.

Zancarius|4 months ago

It's August for us here in the SW US, but there's been construction in the area that has displaced a number of them at odd times of the year.

Fortunately, snakes will generally leave you alone unless they're provoked or cornered. Unfortunately, if you have curios animals (cats, dogs) it can be a much more significant problem!