I guess being raised in the desert we just knew it wasn’t a good idea…
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There is approximately 0% chance I would ever try to pick up a rattlesnake, maybe less.
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They need a better copy writer. This opening sentence makes it seem he picked it up after being bitten. 
A hiker in a Tennessee state park died recently after picking up a rattlesnake that bit him on the hand.
According to the foundation [WorldAnimalFoundation.org], states with the highest incidence of snake bites per million population per year are:
- North Carolina at 157.8
- West Virginia at 105.3
- Arkansas at 92.9
- Oklahoma at 61
- Virginia at 48.7
- Texas at 44.2
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I had a scar from being bitten by a 4 foot long bull snake.
Their color and pattern are almost identical to western diamondbacks, they can even hiss in a sound that resembles the rattle of their venomous cousins.
Suffice to say, the only snakes I actively try to handle in the wild are garter snakes!
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I fear no man respect several fear none, but when it comes to snakes I fear them no matter what kind the only good snake is a dead one.
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No no no,…
Just like spiders snakes have their purpose and place in the ecosystem.
I welcome garter snakes in my yard! They eat the bugs that would otherwise plague my garden!
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I’m with Peter. No such thing as a good live snake. They may have their purpose in life, just not in mine.
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Do not try to kill the snake. Doing so is illegal and greatly increases the chance that the snake will bite you.
That’s illegal in Utah??? Crazy. Growing up in SoCal, I’ve come across a LOT of rattlesnakes. When I was young, I used to have a cigar box full of rattles from all the snakes I killed. I’ve used rocks, shovels, 2x4s, a baseball bat (not recommended), and an air rifle. I started in construction around 10yrs old and you learn pretty quickly about how to pick up pieces of plywood or other building materials that might have a rattlesnake under it.
My philosophy growing up was that if I didn’t kill every rattlesnake I came across, it was a threat to the next person who came along. Every spring, the local newspaper would run stories about somebody getting bit and warning everyone that the snakes are awake and active. I left all the other snakes alone. But if it was a rattlesnake, off with his head. There were plenty of other snakes to keep the rodent population in check.
On my property, I mostly only come across red racers these days, feasting on the lizards. Those are some wicked fast snakes. I’m thankful that I’ve never come across a rattlesnake moving that fast.
Somewhere in the 80s, I started to notice gopher snakes, when feeling threatened, would puff out their cheeks to look like a rattlesnake’s head and shake their tail, even though it doesn’t have any rattles on it. It’s weird. But if they keep eating the rodents, they can pretend all they want to.
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and they raise their tails like a rattler.
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I bought a Rossi Brawler just for the snakes out on the BLM.
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Interesting fact, you are more likely to be attacked by Sasquatch then bitten by a snake in Western Washington. So, if you do not believe Sasquatch is not a thing, either are poisonous snakes in Western Washington. Eastern Washington has rattle snakes located in rocky areas near water, but snake bites are unheard of.
In Washington D.C. with the high number of rats, I am sure there are many snakes lurking about too! Those who are usually bitten are told it was self-inflicted. Most rats in the area are there to help you.
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Lack of common sense 
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and was she still upset at you for startling her? Even though you saved her life?
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Well, at least my state is first in something! 
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We’re winning!
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Never heard of Pygmy rattle snakes!
Certainly pretty little buggers!
Definitely not close enough to any garter snake pattern I’ve ever seen to make me think they’re harmless.
Also, they still have that classic pit viper shaped head.
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Your classic case of natural selection.
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I fall into two of those categories….
Hardly feel blessed though,… but I’m alive,.. so there’s that.
I only kill dangerous spiders in my house, (brown recluse and black widow) I will relocate beneficial spiders to somewhere they can thrive better. Like my house plants!
Mice on the other hand,…. I will shoot them on sight!
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Oh Yea, they’ll take your rattle snake skin hat band if they see it. We ran over a 4+ foot Rocky Mountain with our buggy, DWR guy came by, called it an accident then measured and weighed it, mapped it’s location…
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I was raised in City… but I’ve been always carrying pungi flute on me…
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