What happens if you step on a rattlesnake??

Many people have heard the incredible news that our sanctuary's venomous snake removal training course has received national recognition since being highlighted in a story by @NPR . This news story has brought attention to our facility, but also the intriguing research project that our venom manager, Cale Morris initiated nearly a decade ago!

This project involved Cale utilizing a fake "Robo-Leg" to step on undisturbed Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes found in the wild. After stepping on 175 snakes this way, Cale determined that only 6 of them struck the boot that stepped on them; further indicating the passive and shy nature of these misunderstood reptiles.

Cale wraps up the video by tracking one of his radio-tracked rattlesnakes, "Mojo Jojo", who had previously been ran over by a car! Coincidentally enough, we find him next to a busy road.

Our sanctuary is committed to teaching the general public about the many methods we can use to safely and sustainably coexsist with these fascinating animals.

Read the NPR article here -

Sign up for a venomous snake relocation training -

Give us a call if you encounter a wild reptile you need removed from your property (Greater Phoenix Area)
602-550-1090

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[thevenomteacher]

Great job Micheal!!! Thanks for making this and helping clear up misconceptions! 🐍 ❤️

[chrisbailey]

Great video!!! I've seen the summary on quite a few sites (mostly mountain bike as I'm an avid rider). The summary is really very informative and for the most part it appears to have generated very good conversation....aside from the general buffoonery that sometimes comes with social media.

This is a great addition to the summary and provides even more information and insight. Thank you for putting this video out...the more knowledgable information the better!!!

On a side note....a mountain bike forum that has a local folder has a thread dedicated to Az reptile pics. One of the posters added a pic of a rattler that had one of your colored tracking bands. It was really cool to see that. The pic was taken in the northeast section near P&D.

Thanks for putting this type of content out!!!!

Chris

[bt]

I stepped on a rattlesnake two summers ago. Scared me half to death, but the rattling, hissing snakes quickly slithered away.

[johngaither]

In 15 years on a seismic crew we experienced just 3 snake bites. Once the truth was determined it was found that in all of them the snakes had been discovered and were being handled by the person who was bitten. None were fatal. During those years I encountered many snakes both venomous and non. All of which did everything it could to avoid me.

[AN]

Good info. Now, what about a dog sniffing a bush with a rattlesnake under it? Any suggestions to protect dogs going for a walk? Yes has has rattlesnake training but I have my doubts about that.

[lizardkeeper]

is it safe to sum up your research as leave rattlesnakes alone but if you step on one accidently you will be probably be fine.

[fthxvkq]

Wow😱 cool vid as always! I’m a lifelong fan

[tomquirin]

hey michael brotha, great vid, i love snakes n rattlesnakes but what do you have or know about the pygmi/small rattlesnake in florida, i think steve irwin mucked with them at a air force base down there on a episode, they are kinda like the carpet vipers from africa and india also, thy pack a punch, thanks > tom !

[NatureInYourFace]

I think what you're doing is great. However, I also think it's extremely flawed, not as much due to heat or lack there of, but the fact that the full weight of an average adult human, stepping on a rattlesnake, would most certainly hurt the snake, likely causing it to strike. I would not expect that putting a little pressure on the snake's body with a fake boot would be enough for most rattlesnakes to react with a defensive bite. I suppose the only way to settle the debate would be to try and find and interview as many people as possible that have accidentally stepped on a rattlesnake to find out how many were NOT actually bitten. Not sure how this would be possible considering that people who don't get bit, do not seek medical attention. Thanks for the video!

[jenetix]

Did you say they can or cannot (the subtitled showed “can’t”) detect heat? I understand that it’s more of a fine tuning resource at closer range, but wanted to be sure in what you said. Thanks for this great video! Now I’m going to lose sleep over MojoJojo by the road, too!

[Kurecify]

If it does not bite you, nothing happens.

[DMoneys]

fascinating. so what causes bites then? Is it really just people getting too close and picking up snakes?

[Rattlesnake.]

Question. It is my understanding that snakes detect a heat source with their tongue. What was the temperature of the fake leg?

[lumberdog]

Well that covers a one legged person stepping in a rattle snake