My First Time Filming a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.

My first time filming a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.

For the last 30 years, starting when I was 8 or so, I have found all animals fascinating. I caught my first snake at 8 years old, a tiny Ringneck Snake in San Angelo Texas on my grandparents property on the Concho River. Since that time I have always been draw to reptile and arachnids.

I have family that live in west Texas and central Texas. They all have encountered rattlesnakes throughout the years. I somehow had never seen a rattlesnake in the wild. Last year while visiting my cousins ranch near Brownwood Texas, I mentioned that I had never seen a rattlesnake in the wild and I would love to film one.

The next morning I woke up and my cousin said he had a surprise for me. They went out during the night driving around the ranch and came across a rattlesnake. They brought me outside to a bucket with a lid. They opened it and there was a 4 foot Western Diamondback Rattlesnake inside.

I got my camera setup and ready. They dumped the snake out where I could film it. It was a relatively cold morning, so the snake was very calm. This is one of the videos I capture of this beautiful creature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILt4wdHr83U&t=1s

Western Diamondbacks are the largest venomous snakes in Texas. Generally they grow to between 4 and 6 feet. Diamondback Rattlesnakes are one of the most iconic species. If a rattlesnake is featured in a film, they usually use Diamondbacks. Even though Rattlesnakes in general are feared among most people, they play a vital role in keeping the rodent population down. If you can avoid killing them, its best to let them go on their way.