Texas Snakes

I always heard my Dad talk about the Blue Indigo Snakes (Black Racers or Cow Suckers in KY) he used to know while ranching in the Brackettville/Spofford area before moving to the present ranch in about 1932. He always said, no one bothered them, because they killed and ate rattlesnakes. Of course I thought it was a tall tale, because I never saw one on the present ranch. But while working for the King Ranch down in deep South Texas, I saw several of these snakes. They were big, long and the color of Indigo or Blueing they used to use in dying clothes. Never saw one eat a rattler, but I guess the truth does come out now and then. Enjoy the attached photos. Send to all your friends in South Texas and those who hunt down that way to let them know there are good snakes out there.

FW: 6' Rattlesnake on Location

This bad boy was killed this morning on location in Tilden, Tx.  Nearly 6' long, 14 buttons on his rattle. 

FW: Texas Rattlesnakes changing behavior - not rattling as a warning

F Y I >
>  My fellow friends and family,
>
> We have killed 57 rattlesnakes on two separate ranches this year.
> 24 @Southbend & 33 @ Murray, since mid May.
> Not one has buzzed! We provoked one fair sized boy with a stick
> and he coiled & struck at the stick a couple of times before he buzzed up and
> rattled.
>
>
> The purpose of this explanation is that I have been hearing the same from fellow
> ranchers and hunters in regards to the lack of warning with rattlesnakes.
>
> I had lunch with a friend today and he offered a theory about the fact that
>  these bugs aren't rattling anymore. He raised pigs for years and reported
>  that when he would hear a rattlesnake buzzing in the sow pen, the sows
> would 'bee-line' to it and fight over the snake. For the uninformed, pigs love
> to
>  eat rattlesnakes. Therefore, the theory is they are ceasing to rattle to
>  avoid detection, since there are plenty of pigs roaming the countryside.
>
> I have a neighbor ranching lady who was bitten 3 weeks ago 2 times by the
> same snake without any warning....she spent 5 days in ICU, after 22 vials of
> anti-venom she is back at the ranch and still may lose her foot or worse yet
> her lower leg.
>
>  The days of perceived warning are over. Keep your boots on and use a light
>  when out and about. As you all know, one can pop up just about anywhere!
>
> You may wish to forward this to anyone that would be interested.