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 answers total)

Best answer: Looks like a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to me.
posted by donovan at 7:27 AM on February 2, 2009

Best answer: Definitely one of the rattlesnake family.
posted by JayRwv at 7:30 AM on February 2, 2009

Best answer: 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, 2009

Best answer: 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, 2009

Response by poster: 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, 2009

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, 2009 [1 favorite]