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Post by wildlifefriendly on May 4, 2011 10:53:26 GMT
I nipped out this morning to take a photo of the nex bed I need to tackle and spotted this   I wizzed back in and had a look on the internet and it is a rattle snake and its bite can kill. I rang the police who suggested I ring the RSPCA, which I did, that was well over an hour ago and I'm still waiting for a snake expert to contact me. The lady on the RSPCA switchboard asked if I could catch it and keep it safe until they sent someone around, how stupid do they think I am? |
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Post by steve on May 4, 2011 11:37:43 GMT
Blimey! it's escaped from someones private collection then? you be careful! and put a t shirt on before the RSPCA man comes  |
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Post by esther on May 4, 2011 11:46:25 GMT
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Post by grindle on May 4, 2011 12:28:37 GMT
 hope they arrive soon or it could disappear elsewhere. I wonder how long it's been in your garden 
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Post by peony on May 4, 2011 15:09:27 GMT
It must have known you were 'wildlife friendly' WF  Good job it didn't turn up when Carol was there |
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Post by Cherry on May 4, 2011 16:43:31 GMT
I am waiting here for more information. Hurry up WF. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on May 4, 2011 18:10:03 GMT
Well, what a morning, we had a number of visitors, some were fascinated others ran away screaming. I wanted to poke it with a stick to see if it moved but the OH wouldn’t let me. It was quite sensible really, it is not the kind of thing you want disappearing into the bushes. I thought it was dead, the temperature dropped to 6 degrees overnight but the OH was convinced he’d seen it move.
We got quite nervous as the temperature began to climb, while the snake was cold it was going nowhere but we know how fast a snake can move once it has warmed up.
The RSPCA man eventually turned up at 12.30, he had a good look at the snake (from a safe distance) and then we looked it up on the internet as well as how fast a bite could kill. It was definitely a rattlesnake and as long as you get the anti venom within a few hours it was not fatal.
He unloaded his snake catching kit from the van, he’d had the kit for three years and had never used it. We all discussed the various bits of kit and how it would be best to catch the snake. None of us wanted the snake to escape. We decided the best method would be to gently persuade the snake out from under the tree where it would be far easier to deal with. The RSPCA man got to a safe distance and gently nudged the snake, it was quite stiff, it was dead. I was hoping it was just cold and could be taken somewhere to recover.
He hooked it out from under the tree, still with the long pole just to be on the safe side. When he got it fully out he flipped it over and stamped on the bottom was “Rattlesnake, made in China”
How embarrassing is that? The RSPCA man was very good about it, he had believed it was real too. The question now is where did the rubber snake come from?
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Post by Tel on May 4, 2011 18:33:21 GMT
I wonder if the BBC camera crew, used it for filming as part of your wildlife. |
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Post by Cherry on May 4, 2011 18:34:51 GMT
It certainly looked real enough on the piccy. I bet you felt quite silly. Maybe you didn't. It was best to be on the safe side. I am pleased it turned out alright. Now you have to find the culprit. |
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Post by grindle on May 4, 2011 18:35:15 GMT
;Dwell that really was a morning to remember. Lucky in a way it wasn't real. You'll be able to have a good laugh about it all. I wonder how it got there  |
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Post by steve on May 4, 2011 18:38:29 GMT
Much too far for me to go...not guilty ;D
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Post by Tel on May 4, 2011 19:00:50 GMT
Much too far for me to go...not guilty ;D Clever carrier pigeon you have on the allotment Steve, did it arrive back home safely. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on May 4, 2011 19:00:57 GMT
It was quite a relief, if there was one there could have been more. I'm not saying we are backward down here but I do think the chance of the local hospital having rattlesnake anti-venom to be slim. ;D If you lived closer Steve I would have been looking in your direction  |
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Post by Cherry on May 4, 2011 19:12:36 GMT
I would have had a heart attack WF and I would not be going near it with a camera.
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Post by Lou78W on May 4, 2011 20:49:14 GMT
:oHow embarrassing!!!!....for the RSPCA people particularly.....but a relief for you.....wonder who was playing "silly beggars"   |
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Good job it didn't turn up when Carol was there 
