Wallingford man recovering from rattlesnake bite

A 45-year-old Connecticut man is recovering from a rattlesnake bite over the weekend in Marlborough.

[Grew up in NM]

The snake didn't have to die. The idiot tried to pick him up with a stick?(watching to much animal planet) Never attempt to play, move or show off with a rattle snake. I've seen rattlesnakes in New Milford several times. I have never bothered them and they have never bothered me. You can hear them though!!! They start rattling as soon as you get close. They should have left it alone or called animal control.

[Nemesys]

A stick? If it was a 4th of July party, a few M-80's would have done better.

I have a friend who has lost 2 dogs to back-yard rattlesnakes in the past year. They're coming back.

[Mother Nature]

Why would anyone attempt to pick up a rattlesnake? For what purpose? Oh I know, to show off to your other drunken friends that you're a big macho man. Even a "dumb" animal knows better than to attempt to play with a rattlesnake. Too bad some humans haven't figured that out yet. On behalf of the natural world, we just want to be left alone to live our lives. Humans should mind their own business.

[Grew up in NM]

Nemesys wrote:

A stick? If it was a 4th of July party, a few M-80's would have done better.
I have a friend who has lost 2 dogs to back-yard rattlesnakes in the past year. They're coming back.

Does your friend live in Danbury??? The snakes have always been here. Maybe they are just being pushed out of wooded areas due to construction.

[Nemesys]

"Does your friend live in Danbury??? The snakes have always been here. Maybe they are just being pushed out of wooded areas due to construction."

No, in Newtown. I don't think it's construction... I think they have more mice to eat, as evidenced by all the hawks flying around lately.

Connecticut traditionally had a lot of rattlesnakes, but like most animals, they're making a resurgence. Bobcats will be next.

[Bart S]

Bobcats are all over, bears ,coyotes,and the non-existent mountain lion that has been seen in Litchfield area. We need more hunters and trappers before some kid gets eaten.

[Grew up in NM]

Nemesys wrote:

"Does your friend live in Danbury??? The snakes have always been here. Maybe they are just being pushed out of wooded areas due to construction."
No, in Newtown. I don't think it's construction... I think they have more mice to eat, as evidenced by all the hawks flying around lately.
Connecticut traditionally had a lot of rattlesnakes, but like most animals, they're making a resurgence. Bobcats will be next.

I have never seen so many hawks!!! Makes sense.

[Marlin Gherkins]

Mother Nature wrote:

Why would anyone attempt to pick up a rattlesnake?

Find a picture of the "victim" and you have your answer:

1) Mullet
2) warm Budweiser
3) No dentist on rolodex

[Lapps]

4)computer, basement, immigrant fetish.

[bleh mah]

5)Related to Marlin Gherkins

[PeopleBugMe]

Man, count me as ignorant. Ive never seen a rattler around these parts, and ive lived here in a heavily wooded area for forty years. I have some friends who have seen a bobcat recently, and i agree about the hawks. One benefit from that is that ive seen a lot less squirrels this year. Nasty rodent lol.

[Jim Fowler]

EMT & hospital staff would have been better served just letting the Darwin principle finish its work...

[Nemesys]

"I have some friends who have seen a bobcat recently, and i agree about the hawks"

A few months ago, my cats jumped to the windows and were looking out. I looked out and saw a hawk dining on a pigeon he had just caught. Now if we can only persuade them to go after the geese...

[oil]

Timber rattlesnakes are protected by Connecticut's threatened and endangered species legislation and cannot be killed.

I'm sure if the DEP reads the article, they'll be in touch with whoever shoveled the snake.

[Nemesys]

"I'm sure if the DEP reads the article, they'll be in touch with whoever shoveled the snake."

You're right. They should have invited the snake to the BBQ, given him a hot dog and a Budwieser, and invited him to join in a friendly game of lawn darts.

[Patriot]

Grew up in NM wrote:

<quoted text>
Does your friend live in Danbury??? The snakes have always been here. Maybe they are just being pushed out of wooded areas due to construction.

They are not being pushed out of wooded areas due to construction, their natural habitat is far too rugged for the building of homes and such. They live mostly on cliff sides at our higher altitudes, and specifically, south facing cliff sides. They might wander away from the area while hunting or looking for a mate, but guaranteed their nests are not anywhere near any construction.

[research]

Rattlesnake? In Connecticut we have the Timber rattlesnake which is an endangered species and is not that prevalent. They require a den for hibernation, travel only a couple of miles away during the summer, and return to the same den in the winter. There are only a few known and monitored dens in Connecticut and once a den is wiped out it doesn't come back. These snakes are very hard to find unless you know where and when to look and are very timid once you find them. Copperheads on the other hand are all over the state, are very aggressive, and will vibrate their tales when agitated as will other snakes.

[newmil]

I can't believe this. If I saw a rattlesnake, I would be gone in about two seconds. Just leave the thing alone. The moron who thought it was a good idea to pick it up on a stick deserved to get bit, and the jerk who beat it with a shovel, well...you get the idea.

[watcher419]

The poor snake. Did he have any relatives? Condolences to friends and family...

[oil]

Nemesys wrote:

"I'm sure if the DEP reads the article, they'll be in touch with whoever shoveled the snake."
You're right. They should have invited the snake to the BBQ, given him a hot dog and a Budwieser, and invited him to join in a friendly game of lawn darts.

I'll make no judgement on whether the killing was justified or not (impossible to reckon from the 'facts' in the article). But anytime an endagered species is killed, I'm sure the DEP will want to do an investigation.