Don't pet them indeed. That's how most people get bitten, esp. after some imbibing:
Approximately 40 percent of all snakebites occur in people who are handling or playing with snakes, and 40 percent of all people bitten had a blood alcohol level of greater than 0.1 percent. Sixty-five percent of snakebites occur on the hand or fingers, 24 percent on the foot or ankle, and 11 percent elsewhere. One case was reported of a snakebite on the glans penis. Read more: <http://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-snake-bite-faq-sidwcmdev_053475 .html#ixzz32s2uANB1> http://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-snake-bite-faq-sidwcmdev_053475. html#ixzz32s2uANB1 From: Steve Walter [mailto:swalte...@verizon.net] Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 7:54 PM To: 'Rick' Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Rattlesnake at Doodletown So like don't pet them. From: bounce-115943024-8873...@list.cornell.edu <mailto:bounce-115943024-8873...@list.cornell.edu> [mailto:bounce-115943024-8873...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Rick Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 7:50 PM To: 'Claudia Peretti'; 'Robert Lewis'; 'NYSBirds' Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Rattlesnake at Doodletown These rattlesnakes (probably the same pair) have been at that site for many years, plus their progeny. They are venerable citizens of the property. Just one request, be careful when walking in the area, but please LEAVE THEM ALONE. Thanks, Rick Cech P.S. One time a few years back a female birder was squatting for a moment off the trail and found herself right on top of one of the snakes (no problem experienced, other than the shock). I was photographing one of the pair a few years back and was surprised that when I heard the rattle I didn't see it in my viewfinder. That's because the other member of the senior pair was about 5' off my left foot, perhaps displeased he/she wasn't included in the photo. (Again, no ill effects.) From: bounce-115930970-3714...@list.cornell.edu <mailto:bounce-115930970-3714...@list.cornell.edu> [mailto:bounce-115930970-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Claudia Peretti Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 10:01 AM To: 'Robert Lewis'; 'NYSBirds' Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Rattlesnake at Doodletown Re: Doodletown: A yard-long Timber Rattlesnake was seen by both the AE Mearns Bird Club and the Linnaean Society of NYC on Saturday in late morning. It was on the edge of the walking path to Herbert Cemetery. We also saw 19 species of warblers, Kentucky was a good one and a total of 71 species at Doodletown and Iona Island. Good Birding! Claudia Perretti From: bounce-115910973-3954...@list.cornell.edu <mailto:bounce-115910973-3954...@list.cornell.edu> [mailto:bounce-115910973-3954...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Lewis Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2014 8:30 PM To: NYSBirds Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Rattlesnake at Doodletown Doodletown Road is a famous birding spot in northern Rockland County. I was there around 5:00 pm and ran into a rattlesnake just along the main path. I and two other people heard its "rattle", which was more like a buzz. This was about 75% of the way up to the top, just past the sign for "Gray House." I took a video, which I may be able to upload soon. Beware. Bob Lewis Sleepy Hollow NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive <http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> Please submit your observations to <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> eBird! -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive <http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> Please submit your observations to <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> eBird! -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive <http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> Please submit your observations to <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> eBird! -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --