Diamondback Rattle Snake

REMINDER TO ALL: do not handle venomous snakes!

I'm an ICU nurse and have seen first hand what a bite from a rattle snake can do. It's extremely painful and cam cause serious injury, including possible amputation and kidney failure. It's not worth the risk handling a venomous snake

Mitch, I appreciate you sharing your wisdom here. I know it comes from years of experience in the field. I really hope we can use this opportunity to educate people about the dangers of handling venomous snakes and the importance of respecting wildlife.

I'll say this again because it bears repeating. It is a notoriously bad idea to tail any kind of viper (this includes Rattlers, Copperheads and Cottonmouths in the US). They turn farther and faster (and are generally more tempermental) than Elapids (Coral Snakes in the US). You may never have been bitten before, and you may think that experience with tailing these animals equals safety. It doesn't. Invest in a decent pair of snake tongs if you are that intent on grabbing venomous snakes. It's safer for the snake and much safer for you.