Posted: 12/9/2010 3:26:35 PM EDT
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OK, it's cold right now. Even in NE Florida. It's been in the 20's the last couple of nights so all the snakes are laying low for awhile. The thought just occurred to me though, so I thought what better font of knowledge to post this question in than Arfcom GD, right?
My property is right on a salt marsh, with a river, and has some pine hammocks on it. I'm good at ID-ing snakes. The non-venomous ones always get a pass (I had a really big Indigo snake hanging around my house last Summer, [steve irwin] gorgeous creature [/steve irwin]). The venomous ones get a pass as long as they don't get too close to my house where I have dogs and a child playing in the yard. Over the course of a Summer, I usually kill 4 or 5 Pymgy Rattle Snakes around my house. Question: Anyone eaten Pygmy Rattlers? Are they any good? I'm thinking, rather than chuck the bodies in the river like I usually do, maybe skin and clean them, then put them in the freezer until I have enough to make a batch of Chili. Anyway, I'm on my third glass of Bulleit bourbon and I just thought a batch of Rattle Snake chili might be a fun, end-of-Summer tradition. |
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The non-venomous ones always get a pass. The venomous ones get a pass as long as they don't get too close to my house where I have dogs and a child playing in the yard. As an amateur Herpetologist and keeper of snakes, I just wanted to say thanks for that. Ever snap and photos? Florida has some of my favorite snakes species. |
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Let me remind you that Pygmy Rattlers are extremely fast, and very mean (like to the 10th power. The venom is quite potent. Their size is deceiving - they may be small but they will give you a few days of pain you'll never forget. Take them very seriously. They'll kill children and animals without you ever knowing how it happened. They are also everywhere. |
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Let me remind you that Pygmy Rattlers are extremely fast, and very mean (like to the 10th power. The venom is quite potent. Their size is deceiving - they may be small but they will give you a few days of pain you'll never forget. Take them very seriously. They'll kill children and animals without you ever knowing how it happened. They are also everywhere. 
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Let me remind you that Pygmy Rattlers are extremely fast, and very mean (like to the 10th power. The venom is quite potent. Their size is deceiving - they may be small but they will give you a few days of pain you'll never forget. Take them very seriously. They'll kill children and animals without you ever knowing how it happened. They are also everywhere. It's true.... |
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The non-venomous ones always get a pass. The venomous ones get a pass as long as they don't get too close to my house where I have dogs and a child playing in the yard. As an amateur Herpetologist and keeper of snakes, I just wanted to say thanks for that. Ever snap and photos? Florida has some of my favorite snakes species. I fully realize that snakes are an integral part of the environment I'm living in (God, I sound like a fucking tree hugger). I especially like the King Snakes (they eat rattlers). I haven't snapped any pics, but if that Indigo snake comes back around next Summer, I will. It was a very big, very cool looking snake. The color on it was awesome. |
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Let me remind you that Pygmy Rattlers are extremely fast, and very mean (like to the 10th power. The venom is quite potent. Their size is deceiving - they may be small but they will give you a few days of pain you'll never forget. Take them very seriously. They'll kill children and animals without you ever knowing how it happened. They are also everywhere. This man speaks the truth. I have killed 3 Pygmys at my house. Every one was in the inside corner of my front porch at the front door. When you walked out you would not even see them as they are already behind you. Them's some sneaky fuckers. |
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Wife and I have some friends who moved to Watersound, FL a couple of years ago. They live in a new development that was carved out of the pine forests there. Someone in the development is finding a pygmy in the yard...it's actually just fenced in pine needles and scrub...at least weekly. Every once in awhile someone will run across a Eastern Diamondback (I'm guessing) or a Cottonmouth. But the Pygmies are the ones that keep them on their toes. These folks literally avoid walking out in the yard, even during bright daylight, unless they really need to. They walk to the garage with both eyes on the ground scanning the pavers for Pygmies.
At first I thought it was city folk being a bit over cautious, but the more I heard from the locals, the more I learned to respect the Pygmy. The first night there I walked from the back door to the front through the yard in the dark because the door was locked. They were freaking out about it. In retrospect, I think I wasn't taking the threat seriously enough at the time. And then there are the scorpions that they keep finding in house... And then there are the feral pigs/wild boars that are rooting up the golf course... Paradise, I tell ya! 
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Rattlesnake meat is pretty good, pygmy rattlesnakes should be no different. Except for the fact that you need about 15 of them to make a pot of chili. Of course, you could stretch the chili with the addition of beans but that's a whole 'nother thread. Real chili has beans, you heathen bastard! 
Hey if the batch is just big enough for 3 or 4 bowls, I still think it would be pretty cool. |
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Wife and I have some friends who moved to Watersound, FL a couple of years ago. They live in a new development that was carved out of the pine forests there. Someone in the development is finding a pygmy in the yard...it's actually just fenced in pine needles and scrub...at least weekly. Every once in awhile someone will run across a Eastern Diamondback (I'm guessing) or a Cottonmouth. But the Pygmies are the ones that keep them on their toes. These folks literally avoid walking out in the yard, even during bright daylight, unless they really need to. They walk to the garage with both eyes on the ground scanning the pavers for Pygmies. At first I thought it was city folk being a bit over cautious, but the more I heard from the locals, the more I learned to respect the Pygmy. The first night there I walked from the back door to the front through the yard in the dark because the door was locked. They were freaking out about it. In retrospect, I think I wasn't taking the threat seriously enough at the time. And then there are the scorpions that they keep finding in house... And then there are the feral pigs/wild boars that are rooting up the golf course... Paradise, I tell ya! All it takes is to put on a decent pair of leather boots. No need to fear walking through the yard, even in the dark. |
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Rattlesnake meat is pretty good, pygmy rattlesnakes should be no different. Except for the fact that you need about 15 of them to make a pot of chili. Of course, you could stretch the chili with the addition of beans but that's a whole 'nother thread. Real chili has beans, you heathen bastard!
Hey if the batch is just big enough for 3 or 4 bowls, I still think it would be pretty cool. You misunderestimate me my friend. I KNOW real chili has beans. Hell, I could make a Texan eat my chili with beans, pay my mortgage, wash my truck, cut my grass and then THANK ME when he leaves. Meat soup from the lower midwest is NOT chili.
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Rattlesnake meat is pretty good, pygmy rattlesnakes should be no different. Except for the fact that you need about 15 of them to make a pot of chili. Of course, you could stretch the chili with the addition of beans but that's a whole 'nother thread. Real chili has beans, you heathen bastard!
Hey if the batch is just big enough for 3 or 4 bowls, I still think it would be pretty cool. You misunderestimate me my friend. I KNOW real chili has beans. Hell, I could make a Texan eat my chili with beans, pay my mortgage, wash my truck, cut my grass and then THANK ME when he leaves. Meat soup from the lower midwest is NOT chili. I stand corrected. You are obviously a person of top-notch breeding and sophistication. Carry on, my friend. |
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Rattlesnake meat is pretty good, pygmy rattlesnakes should be no different. Except for the fact that you need about 15 of them to make a pot of chili. Of course, you could stretch the chili with the addition of beans but that's a whole 'nother thread. Real chili has beans, you heathen bastard!
Hey if the batch is just big enough for 3 or 4 bowls, I still think it would be pretty cool. You misunderestimate me my friend. I KNOW real chili has beans. Hell, I could make a Texan eat my chili with beans, pay my mortgage, wash my truck, cut my grass and then THANK ME when he leaves. Meat soup from the lower midwest is NOT chili. I stand corrected. You are obviously a person of top-notch breeding and sophistication. Carry on, my friend.
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I can't imagine getting more than one bowl of chili from a Pygmy. An adult is what, 16"?, and they aren't thick like Diamondbacks. I would enjoy such a meal, more than someone who hasn't already had one try to eat me. The camouflage of a Pygmy is perfect, they are so small they become invisible when not on something that contrasts them like concrete. They blend into the ground like ants. The rattle is a loud buzz (too late - you're already bitten), unlike the distinct warning rattle of a "typical" rattlesnake. Anyone who has been in the deep south has likely been within feet of one, but fortunately never tangled with it. They come out to warm up in the sun, recharging like batteries - virtually invisible but in plain sight. They look exactly like some random stick. They can seem almost docile because they won't run away, then they strike so fast its over before it started. Southern gardeners are well aware of their presence. A very well respected little devil - evil attitude. I was fortunate in that the bite was minimal, one fang glanced off a knuckle - other fang found only 1/3 penetration to the soft spot. Was like finding a hornets nest after they already started to attack. Changed my life. My only "near death" experience - I resigned from my solid position and started my own company within days. Almost 16 years ago. I know if I hadn't been bit, I'd likely still be someone elses' employee. Flashback... So my wife is following the ambulance (routine transport) in our POV - my son was up front in the co-pilots seat when the ambulance driver suggested to him that they go lights/siren/fast for fun. Wife watched the rig light up and take off - freaked her out, thought I had coded. The next day, when I finally walked back into my home under my own power, my wife punched me (really, really hard) - and said "don't ever do that to me again". |
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I can't imagine getting more than one bowl of chili from a Pygmy. An adult is what, 16"?, and they aren't thick like Diamondbacks. I would enjoy such a meal, more than someone who hasn't already had one try to eat me. The camouflage of a Pygmy is perfect, they are so small they become invisible when not on something that contrasts them like concrete. They blend into the ground like ants. The rattle is a loud buzz (too late - you're already bitten), unlike the distinct warning rattle of a "typical" rattlesnake. Anyone who has been in the deep south has likely been within feet of one, but fortunately never tangled with it. They come out to warm up in the sun, recharging like batteries - virtually invisible but in plain sight. They look exactly like some random stick. They can seem almost docile because they won't run away, then they strike so fast its over before it started. Southern gardeners are well aware of their presence. A very well respected little devil - evil attitude. I was fortunate in that the bite was minimal, one fang glanced off a knuckle - other fang found only 1/3 penetration to the soft spot. Was like finding a hornets nest after they already started to attack. Changed my life. My only "near death" experience - I resigned from my solid position and started my own company within days. Almost 16 years ago. I know if I hadn't been bit, I'd likely still be someone elses' employee. Flashback... So my wife is following the ambulance (routine transport) in our POV - my son was up front in the co-pilots seat when the ambulance driver suggested to him that they go lights/siren/fast for fun. Wife watched the rig light up and take off - freaked her out, thought I had coded. The next day, when I finally walked back into my home under my own power, my wife punched me (really, really hard) - and said "don't ever do that to me again". "Most Interesting" my friend. Glad you made it..... |
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This little guy is disappoint. http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/65/l_2918ce57b5a04fe1818d7ab41e833c74.jpg He's gorgeous. |
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I can't imagine getting more than one bowl of chili from a Pygmy. An adult is what, 16"?, and they aren't thick like Diamondbacks. My evil plan is to skin them, clean them, then pop them in a ziplock freezer bag, and then pop them in the freezer as I kill them over the course of the Summer. By Summer's end, I could have at least 4 and maybe as many as 8 on ice. LIke I said above, if it's only enough to make 3 or 4 bowls, it would still be a fun tradition. |
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This little guy is disappoint. http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/65/l_2918ce57b5a04fe1818d7ab41e833c74.jpg He's gorgeous. I took that picture earlier this year. I was glad I had the camera along that day. I've only seen two of them (pygmy) in three years here. After the picture, he went on his way, and I on mine. |
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Even though it is cool, they are still out. I was bit in January. We've had lows in the mid 30's this week. I own 5 acres on a large freshwater canal on the edge of what was the Everglades 50 years ago before the area was "developed". We have all the dangers here - from bear, coyote, alligators, venomous snakes, crazy insects, fox, bats, panther, bobcat, and also things that don't belong here like crazy wild 5-6' iguanas (no exaggeration - seen myself), former pet but now wild pythons. Then there is typical strange stuff like armadillos, possum, raccoon, weird turtles - all kinds of birds Owls/Eagles/various raptors/weird water birds - and disgusting vultures who'll rip apart a ripe corpse in minutes. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. No flamingos though. Most interesting, my friends. |
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Quoted: Quoted: If you ever want to give away some of the rattles... They're really, REALLY tiny. So small, the frequency of the rattle is so high that you normally can't hear it. The bigger ones sound kind of like a high-pitched insect buzz. It would still be cool, if it's not too much of a pain to do it.  |
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If you ever want to give away some of the rattles... They're really, REALLY tiny. So small, the frequency of the rattle is so high that you normally can't hear it. The bigger ones sound kind of like a high-pitched insect buzz. It would still be cool, if it's not too much of a pain to do it.
If I get enough Pygmies next Summer to make a batch of Chili, you know I'm going to do a whole series of pics for my first Dinner Pic post. Shoot me a PM if you see it and remind me. I'll be happy to send you some. |
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Another implied, but unasked question concerning this: If properly packaged, does raw snake meat freeze well? Yep it freezes okay. I'd say you'd be better off packing them in individual packages so they don't have to be opened every time you get another one. Even better would be to vacuum seal them. |
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Let me remind you that Pygmy Rattlers are extremely fast, and very mean (like to the 10th power. The venom is quite potent. Their size is deceiving - they may be small but they will give you a few days of pain you'll never forget. Take them very seriously. They'll kill children and animals without you ever knowing how it happened. They are also everywhere. Every time I go to Florida, I'm convinced I'm gonna get creamed by some 90 year old q-tip that should have had their license taken away a long time ago. Now I hear about pygmy rattlesnakes being everywhere. Thanks a lot. |
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Let me remind you that Pygmy Rattlers are extremely fast, and very mean (like to the 10th power. The venom is quite potent. Their size is deceiving - they may be small but they will give you a few days of pain you'll never forget. Take them very seriously. They'll kill children and animals without you ever knowing how it happened. They are also everywhere. Every time I go to Florida, I'm convinced I'm gonna get creamed by some 90 year old q-tip that should have had their license taken away a long time ago. Now I hear about pygmy rattlesnakes being everywhere. Thanks a lot. I haven't heard the term "Q-Tip" since I moved to NE Florida from SW Florida (Naples) 20 years ago. Not many retirees in this area of Florida. Down in Naples we also had what we called "Ghost Cars". Big old, invariably pastel-colored, Cadillac Fleetwoods. The seasoned citizen driving them was so short, they were practically looking between the top of the steering wheel and the top of the dashboard to see out. From the back, it looked like no one was in the car. |
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Let me remind you that Pygmy Rattlers are extremely fast, and very mean (like to the 10th power. The venom is quite potent. Their size is deceiving - they may be small but they will give you a few days of pain you'll never forget. Take them very seriously. They'll kill children and animals without you ever knowing how it happened. They are also everywhere. Every time I go to Florida, I'm convinced I'm gonna get creamed by some 90 year old q-tip that should have had their license taken away a long time ago. Now I hear about pygmy rattlesnakes being everywhere. Thanks a lot. I haven't heard the term "Q-Tip" since I moved to NE Florida from SW Florida (Naples) 20 years ago. Not many retirees in this area of Florida. Down in Naples we also had what we called "Ghost Cars". Big old, invariably pastel-colored, Cadillac Fleetwoods. The seasoned citizen driving them was so short, they were practically looking between the top of the steering wheel and the top of the dashboard to see out. From the back, it looked like no one was in the car. Ghost Cars! I love it! I'll be in New Port Richey over Christmas and will have to keep an eye out for 'em! Provided I set foot outside my Mom's house...what with all the Pygmy Rattlers all over the palce!!!
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: If you ever want to give away some of the rattles... They're really, REALLY tiny. So small, the frequency of the rattle is so high that you normally can't hear it. The bigger ones sound kind of like a high-pitched insect buzz. It would still be cool, if it's not too much of a pain to do it. If I get enough Pygmies next Summer to make a batch of Chili, you know I'm going to do a whole series of pics for my first Dinner Pic post. Shoot me a PM if you see it and remind me. I'll be happy to send you some. I'll watch for that; thank you!  |