Rattlesnake Dilemma

Spring is mating season for snakes, so it is no surprise that we often see them on the ranch this time of year - lots and lots of them. Plus, with its creeks and rocky terrain, Cedar Creek is known for being home to many types of rattlesnakes - as the one pictured here. Because we see snakes so often and because they serve a valuable purpose (mice control), "live and let live" is the usual policy. However, this evening, as I was driving home and humming some sweet tune I spied this giant thing cruising toward our resident deputy's house through the yard where his two young children play. From a distance, a snake is just a snake, so I sped forward to identify it. If it was a rat snake, then it would live - if not, well - you see the picture. As I sped closer, its tail and head, both suspended slightly, were a dead giveaway to me that it was likely a rattler (pun intended). If it were heading the opposite direction I would have ignored it, but all I could think of were the children that play in that same grassy stretch - and this type of rattler is aggressive; some aren't. 

With about one second to decide what to do to kill it before it was unreachable, I floored it and ran over it in my Nissan Sentra, not exactly a ranch vehicle, but it'll do. That only made it mad. It struck at my car as I wheeled around and ran over it a second time, with me now well into their front yard and doing donuts. Well, that only wounded it's mid-section, so it kept cruising toward the house-side bushes. 

Preparing for a third attempt, the resident deputy unknowingly came running outside and toward the angry rattler to see what I was doing. Motioning violently through my windshield and toward the snake to warn him to stop walking - he finally saw it and ran to grab a weapon.

 Meanwhile, I got out of the car so as not to lose sight of our prey. Being aggressive and protecting itself, it prepared to strike me - even after being run over TWICE. This is often the case with these, by the way. I hate to kill snakes, but when we do - you should know, rattlers die hard. If you ever come across one - be careful. We've had one strike with half its head severed. 

Anyway - the deputy shot it several times before it finally died. It was about 4 1/2 feet long and looks to me like a Diamondback Rattlesnake, one of the most common in these parts. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, please. 

Today's lessons: "There's a time to die" - "Don't mess with the children" AND "Never let your guard down." Happy spring.