Laura DeBlois

Desert Rattlesnakes

Dear Reader,

We all have an underlying fear for rattlesnakes, or any kind of Snake. In most cases, we were set up to be afraid of snakes because we have grown up learning that they’re bad. After all, They are represented throughout mythology and religions as evil. But did you know that Horses kill more people each year than snakes do, yet they remain a favorite leisurely activity. Or that More people are stung by bees than they are snakes, and only 7% of snake bites are accidental. So then what causes humans to react so strongly towards these reptiles? Could it be their dark, beady eyes, or hissing tongues? Or is it their slender, slithering, limbless body? Whatever it may be, now is the time to get over your fear! This multi-genre will show you how magnificent these animals really are, and help you appreciate these reptiles. For this reason, I chose to study the rattlesnake, and look past their mesmerizing yet freaky appearance to learn how interesting they really are. I focused solely on Southwest Desert rattleSnakes, Simply because the desert has always been a place of interest. I hope you’ll get some great information out of this Multi-genre project, from learning how to skin a snake, or to the rattler’s role in American History. Enjoy!!

-Laura DeBlois

Introduction

The study of snakes is truly a mystery. Considering how diverse they are today, with over 3,000 named species, we still know very little about the ultimate origin of snakes. I believe that this is what makes rattlesnakes, or any snakes so interesting, the fact that they are living proof of evolution from 100 million years ago. Clearly these legless, slithering creatures evolved from four-legged reptilian animals most likely of the pre-historic jurassic times, or were swimming around in the Earth’s wide open seas like they’re possible eel-like ancestors. Unfortunately, we will never know the pinpoint origin of rattlesnakes, or any snake, mostly because of the lack of fossil evidence. Snakes body structures are far too delicate to fossilize. North American snakes are thought to have evolved 23 million years ago, which was the “age of snakes,” and era of great diversification and evolution of venomous families, which brings us back to the rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes seem to be portrayed throughout history as a symbol of fear, pain, and death. They are stand for power and authority, and have a mysterious air surrounding them. I wanted to study desert rattlesnakes mostly because I was struck by their dark stereotype that society has marked for them. I knew their was more to rattlesnakes than just fangs and venom, so I decided to indulge in the topic to learn all I could about these mysterious creatures. Rattlesnakes are native to America, though they do range from Alberta and southern British Columbia in Canada, to central Argentina. Because rattlesnakes are native here, they were once going to be the symbol for American, and were a very popular figure during the fight for American freedom and the Revolutionary war. Now the rattlesnake symbolizes fear instead of freedom. Rattlesnakes shouldn’t be feared though, as I mentioned in the “Dear Reader” section. Rattlesnakes will not initiate an attack, and will only lash out if they are threatened by humans. A bite will most likely occur is a human is trying to catch a rattlesnake, kill it, or taunt it. Rattlesnakes are actually known as the “gentlemen of the desert,” given the fact that they will warn you with their rattling sound, which can be heard from 160 yards away. The rattle is the classic distinguishing trait for a rattlesnake, and is probably the most interesting topic I learned while studying the snake. Like the rattlesnake in general, the origin of the rattle is a mystery, as well as the purpose. We still do not know why a rattlesnake rattles because it rattles when in danger, when striking a prey, when in solitude, and other scenarios. The rattlesnake is just one in four of the venomous snakes in North American, and instead of celebrating this, we tend to be shy away from associating ourselves with them. The only real human interaction with rattlesnakes is the capturing and killing of them, for the use of their skin. In doing so, we take for granted the amazing unknown aspects of the rattlesnake, and justify killing by calling them evil and bad. We should be more open minded when considering rattlesnakes, because there is a lot more to learn about them than just knowing them by their stereotypical evil ways.

Arizona Rattlesnake (genus Grotalus)

Description

The rattlesnake is one of the only four venomous snakes native to the United States. They are categorized in 16 distinct varieties with numerous subspecies and color variations, but are all commonly and positively identified by the jointed rattles located on the tail.

Range

Most rattlesnakes are concentrated in the southwestern United States, though they do extend

north, east, and south in smaller populations and varieties. They range all from the north end of southern California, to Lake Tahoe, on the east side of the Sierra, and all along the Colorado river. Relating to deserts though, the Western Diamond back, the Red Diamond back, and the Speckled rattlesnake all populate the southwestern desert area, and the Mojave and Sidewinder rattlesnake specifically populate the Mojave desert.

Habitat

An ideal habitat for a rattlesnake is one where there is a constant and abundant supply of small rodents. Rattlers create dens in the crevices of rocks and tend to remain near their den entrances to sun themselves in the fall and winter. Most rattlesnakes are secretive in the summer, hunting at night and remaining inactive and out of sight for days at a time during their digestive period.

Life Cycle

The eggs are retained in the mother’s body until hatched, when the young is born alive. Usually a female rattler will contain from 4 to 25 eggs, and from that, an average of 9 or 10 young are born alive. The young are born between August and October, and come into the world roughly 10 inches long, which a small button-like tip on its tail.

Diet

Rattlesnakes eat lizards and small mammals like rats, mice, rabbits, and squirrels. Venom is injected into their prey’s body through their hollow teeth. Sometimes a rattlesnake will just swallow their prey whole.

The Sonoran Desert Museum

Desert Dawn

Amethyst sky, desert dawn.All is still. All is silent, calm.

All I do now is slither along the dry grounds and wait,for the grace of the sun to penetrate. To arise from the masses of mystery,and simply shed her light down on me.For the desert is still a black abyss,and all the creatures including my serpentine self are yearning for the daylight bliss.

Please sun, awaken, open your eyes.Bear the fuchsia, terra-cotta hazeand rise!

American History: The Revolutionary Rattlesnake In 1754, Benjamin Franklin sketched, carved, then published the first known political cartoon in an American newspaper to represent American unity. His picture was an image of a rattlesnake cut into eight sections, of with represented individual colonies, with the curves of the snake representing the coastline. Underneath his picture, he wrote the words “Join, or Die.” This was the first time the snake symbol appeared in American history, and it seemed to make its way through American culture soon after this as an early symbol of shared national identity. The symbol appeared again, a few years later in 1965, when the Americans were uniting against the British to defeat the Stamp Act. The British felt that

thy needed more control over the American colonies, and also money from the colonies to pay off their debt from the French and Indian war. But why should the American’s pay off England’s debt? The colonists were referred to as the “sons of liberty”, who were becoming increasingly resentful of English interference. Franklin’s drawing of the snake continued to be used as the symbol of the son’s of liberty, American unity, and Independence. By 1774, Paul Revere added an image to the Massachusetts Spy newsletter of a rattlesnake

fighting a British dragon, with the words “Join or Die” above it. A year later, in 1775, the symbolic snake started to appear not only on newsletters, but on buttons, paper money, banners, and flags, all over the colonies. It is unknown when the famous saying “Don’t Tread on Me,” depicted with a rattlesnake, was first used and by whom said it. In the fall of 1775 though, the Marines enlisted in Philadelphia carried drums, painted with thirteen coiled rattlesnakes, and engraved with the motto “Don’t Tread on Me”. The following December, an

“American Guesser” anonymously wrote to the Pennsylvania Journal: "I observed on one of the drums belonging to the marines now raising, there was painted a Rattle-Snake, with this modest motto under it, 'Don't tread on me.' As I know it is the custom to have some device on the arms of every country, I supposed this may have been intended for the arms of America."

The guesser wrote as to why he speculated the snake as a symbol for America. He came up with the reasons that the rattlesnake is found

in no other quarter of the world besides America, and it depicts vigilance because of it’s sharp eyes. The guesser noted that the rattlesnake on the drums had 13 coils on it’s rattle, which could represent the 13 colonies. He also wrote:

"'Tis curious and amazing to observe how distinct and independent of each other the rattles of this animal are, and yet how firmly they are united together, so never to be separated but by breaking them to pieces. One of those rattles singly, is incapable of producing sound, but the ringing of thirteen together, is sufficient to alarm the boldest man living."

Many people believe the American Guesser is the low and behold Benjamin Franklin, the man who is known for opposing the bald eagle as the American symbol.

During the American Revolutionary, people were free to choose their own banners and flags because no American flag had been set yet. During this time, rattlesnake flags became very popular. Other than the famous yellow Gadsden flag that says “Don’t Tread on Me,” rattlesnakes appeared on the Minutemen of Virginia’s flag, as well as the First Navy Jack’s flag, and Colonel John Proctor’s flag of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, the rattlesnake symbol became less common after the Revolution, but the symbol helped pave the way for America’s future!

How To: Skin and Tan a Rattlesnake

Part 1: Skinning the Snake

Step 1- Using scissors or a knife, cut the rattlesnake from the back end to the head, trying to stay in the middle and marking an even line.

Step 2- Starting at the tail, begin to separate the skin from the body, using a sharp knife. Hold the rattlesnake firmly in your hand, and away from your body.

Step 3- Once you have separated about 6” of skin from the tail, start to pull to skin towards the head of the snake. Be careful not to tear the skin as you peel it off Step 4- When you are finished, take the length of skin and lay it scales side down on a flat surface. Be cautious not to wrinkle the scales.

Step 5- Wipe both sides of the hide with a paper towel. Be sure to wipe from head to tail so the scales don’t bend. Let dry on

the flat surface, or roll the skin up, with the flesh on the inside, and seal in a plastic airtight bag.

Part 2: Tanning the Skin

Step 1- Lay the skin with the scales facing down on a flat surface. Arrange the skin/scale so the pattern looks even. Be sure NOT to stretch the skin.

Step 2- Place a nail in the center on each end of the snake hide. Tie and fasten a string between the nails, making sure the string does not touch the skin.Step 3- Place pins in the center of the skin, underneath the skin. Center the pattern of the snake hide under the straight string.

Step 4- Starting at the center of the snake, flatten the hide while placing pins on the outer edges of the hide. Continue to pin all around the circumference of the skin, until the pins are about a half inch apart.

Step 5- Remove the nails with the string attached, and pin any bullet marks, tears, or punctures in the skin.

Step 6- Let the skin sit for 8-10 hours.

Step 7- After 8-10 hours, apply a generous amount of tanning oil with a clean paintbrush to the skin. Wait another 8-10 hours.

Step 8- Remove the pins, apply the oil again, and wait 8-10 hours.Step 9- Lay the snake hide between layers of paper towels, then the paper towels between two flat boards. Gently press to remove excess oil.

Step 10- Once the excess oil is removed, the snakeskin is ready to be made into a belt, garment a hat, etc.

! It was any other Saturday afternoon for 15 year-old Molly Bradford, taking a short hike in the Sonoran desert at the time. Just along the Devil’s Tail trail, Molly recalls leaning against a large rock to take a water break. “I heard a loud buzzing noise coming from a crevice in the rock, so I leaned in closer to see what was going on.” Molly remembers kneeling on her hand and knees to examine the noise coming from the rock.“ Next I remember there was a surge of pain, then my entire hand became icy and numb feeling. I was in shock to see the snake’s jaw covering my hand and clinging on for dear life, as I was too,” says Bradford. A 46 inch diamondback rattler had bit Molly’s hand because it was a threat to it’s home.The next moments were a daze for Molly, as she lost consciousness minutes after the bite, and was found the following ten minutes. Immediately rushed to the hospital, the snake’s venom was instantly removed from Molly’s hand, and fortunately the puncture was not fatally deep. Doctors reported the bite as a major severity due to the inflammation, and discoloration in Molly’s hand. ! Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal, but they can cause quit a bit of damage to the skin. Fortunately for Molly, the snake did not bite deep enough for any necessary surgery. Molly is slowly but surely gaining movement in her left hand, and will hopefully be fully recovered in two weeks. This is a reminded to always be aware of where you step, sit, or touch

The Magnificent Structure of Rattlesnakes

Though there are 32 known species of rattlesnakes, varying in color and range, they all share the unique body structure and features vital to their survival. Rattlesnakes are known as pit vipers, or snakes with two pits beneath their nostrils to detect heat. This feature helps them hunt warm-blooded prey, and the pits are so sensitive that the snake can estimate the size of their prey, even in complete darkness. All rattlesnakes have a forked tongue that they purposely flick up and down. Their tongue is used to pick up micro-sized particles and gasses from the air, then slips back into the mouth, where it touches the vomeronasal organ. This organ is a very sensitive spot on the roof of the rattlesnake’s mouth, which sends messages to the snake’s brain identifying the air scent as food, mate, or prey. Their tongue can also be used as a navigational aid. Whichever side or fork of the tongue has the strongest presence of an odor can help a rattlesnake detect and follow their prey, or find their way home. Scent can also be picked up through their external nostrils, which are lined with olfactory cells. Their nostrils are mainly used for breathing though.

Rattlesnakes do not have outer ears, so they rely heavily on vibrations to pick up sound. Rattlers can pick these vibrations through their body muscles, which send sound through their jaw bones then to their inner ear organs. Rattlesnakes also have keen eyesight, and have very sharp vision when objects are close. They can still detect movement or figure from 40 feet away. Their pupils are not round but elliptical, which helps the snake see well without any light, and is a great tool for hunting.

Mammalian Medley for Rattlesnakes

To prepare this delicious medley of small mammals, you must hunt/ambush your prey at late at night or early in the morning. No animals will be consumed as a “whole”.

You will need:

• supersonic slithering speed• keen eyesight• the stamina to hunt• 1 jack rabbit• 3 harvest mice• 1 prairie dog• 2 spiny lizards• 3 white footed mice• one nice desert hot rock pit

To hunt, you may either intoxicate your prey with venom, or strangle your prey by coiling yourself around. Remember not to swallow any of the mammals whole, although it may be tempting.

Preparation:1. After a tiring morning or evening of hunting, lay out your collection of

mammals.2. Bite off the head of each animal.3. De-limb each mammal.4. Remove any tails, horns, claws, etc.5. Combine all the body parts together in the sun-heated rock pit.6. Let sit for 2-3 hours.7. Devour!!

RATTLING RATTLERS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X3-q2UxPmk&feature=related

The rattle, or appendage, of the rattlesnake has been a controversial and mysterious topic since European naturalists first observed the species. Myths, tales, and hypothesizes have been recollected since the 1600’s as to why the rattle exists, and the purpose of it. The most popular and logical theory as to why the rattle exists is the symbolic warning sign. The rattlesnake may rattle when it is disturbed, before undertaking

a defense mechanism, or striking a prey, but no certain condition has been proven.

As in the video, an S-shaped defensive coil is often the position of a rattling snake, though the snake does not rely on this position to rattle. They can rattle when outstretched, slithering around, or curled up. The sound of the rattle can be heard from three to 160 yards away. The rattle is composed of a number of hollow, interlocked segments made of keratin, which are created by modifying the scales that cover the tip of the tail. Whenever a rattlesnake sheds it’s skin, a new rattle segments is added. The contraction of the shaker muscles in the tail cause these segments to vibrate against one another, producing the rattling sound. On average, a rattlesnake will produce 50 rattles per second, and can sustain a rattle for up to three hours.

Desert Highway Billboard

This billboard warns any tourist cruising through the desert about the venomous rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes have hematoxic venom, which destroys tissue and causes disrupted blood clotting, and can also cause paralysis. Their venom is a mixture of 5-15 enzymes, metal ions, biogenic amines, lipids, amino acids, proteins, and polypeptides. The older the rattlesnake, the more venomous, although newly born rattlesnakes are just as dangerous. Also, larger snakes can store larger volumes of venom.

Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal to humans. About 7,500 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year, but only about 5 of those people die. Most deaths will occur between six and forty eight hours the bite, so the most important factor following bite is to receive treatment immediately.

Reflection

I am relieved that the final product of my multi-genre project came out well. In the

midst of the project, it was overwhelming having to deal with creating new genres, reading

Milagro Bean field War, and trying to figure out a layout. This project was more difficult than I

expected it to be, mostly because I had a tough time figuring out different genres to create, as

well as finding new information to use.I found that this last week in the term was the most

productive for me, because I thought of some nice genre ideas and felt forced to find new

information with the term slowly boiling down to it’s last bit.

The genres that I am the most happy with are the billboard and the snake skinning

ones, mostly because the billboard was fun to make, and the snake skinning genre was very

interesting. I was surprised to find how easy skinning a snake seemed. I was imagining it being

similar to filleting a fish, but all you have to do is peel the skin off the snake and you are practically

done. It was really nice finding images for this project as well. I saw some really gross pictures of

snake bites/surgeries, awesome images of huge rattlesnakes, and nice, scenic desert landscapes.

I feel like I have learned quite a bit about rattlesnakes, and I never imagined how

interesting they were. I chose the topic mostly because I wasn’t too sure what rattlesnakes were

like because they seem to be mysterious. I hope I’ll be seeing a few here and there this spring

when I go on mountain.

Works CitedAlonzo. "Rattlesnakes." Squeak, Rattle, and Soar. Roosevelt School, 2006. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01006/rattlesnake.htm.

"Arizona Rattlesnakes." Arizona Game and Fish Department. N.p., 2009. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/arizona-rattlesnakes.shtml.

"Desert Life and Enviroment." DesertUSA. Digital West Media Inc., 2012. Web. 21 Jan. 2012. http://www.desertusa.com/life.html.

Feller, Walter. "Snakes." Digital-Desert: Mojave Desert. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2012. http://digital-desert.com/wildlife/snakes/.

Ivanyi, Craig. "Rattlesnakes." Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_rattlesnakes.php.

Klauber, Laurence M. Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1982. Print.

Myers, Bob. "Skinning a Snake." Laurence Memorial Rattlesnake Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. http://crotalus.kittycrack.net/tanning.htm.

"The Rattlesnake as a Symbol of America." Resources for Science Learning. UNISYS, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. http://fi.edu/qa99/musing3/index.html.

"Rattlesnakes." DesertUSA. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. http://www.desertusa.com/may96/ du_rattle.html.

"Rattlesnake:safety and first aid." Wikipedia. N.p., 20 Feb. 2012. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattlesnake.

Stafford, Peter. Snakes. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution , 2000. Print.

Whitten, Chris. "Don't Tread on Me." Founding Fathers. N.p., 5 July 2001. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. http://www.foundingfathers.info/stories/gadsden.html.