Id the beastie

February 2, 2009 7:22 AM

Can anyone identify this snake? I encountered it during my hike in Sequoia/King's Canyon last summer.
posted by koenie to pets & animals (6 comments total)

Looks like a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to me.
posted by donovan at 7:27 AM on February 2

Definitely one of the rattlesnake family.
posted by JayRwv at 7:30 AM on February 2

The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake according to my field guide to the Sierra Nevada (a great book, incidentally).
posted by driveler at 7:58 AM on February 2

Given that when I saw the picture my first instinct was KILL IT WITH FIRE I think I'll have to third that it's a western rattlesnake.
posted by RustyBrooks at 8:01 AM on February 2

And to think that I sat on that rock right next to it for quite some time - didn't even see it until i got up :)
posted by koenie at 8:06 AM on February 2

That's what makes rattlers so dangerous. Until they care about something, they're practically invisible.
posted by batmonkey at 9:06 AM on February 2 [1 favorite]