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Spring
2008
The
Short Life & Times of a Twin-spotted Rattlesnake by
Dave Prival Tucson, Arizona, USA.
The bad luck all started on an otherwise idyllic after noon in
late May 2006. The Gambel oak branches rustled in the slight
breeze, an occasional cloud shaded the talus slope, and tasty
Mountain Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus jarrovii) were visible on
the rocks just a few feet away.
Although he was only nine months old, the Twin-spotted Rattlesnake
(Crotalus pricei) was already almost a foot long, and he knew he
had picked a great ambush site. His spots helped him become almost
invisible among the small boulders in the partial shade of the
trees. It wouldn't be long until one of those cocky lizards came
traipsing within reach.
Suddenly, he felt the rocks vibrate underneath him. This was no
lizard! An awkward, yet terrifying biped (Homo sapiens) stumbled
over the horizon into view. The rattlesnake panicked. He rattled
as he dove into the rocks, but didn't get far before he felt the
soft leather of a glove on his tail and watched his escape route
recede beneath him.
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