NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/625084
32 NEBRASKAland • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 M y son spotted his first rattlesnake at age 5. Proud he could finally keep up on a hike, he was streaming with enthusiastic chatter when he halted. The tenor of his voice changed, warning, "Snake!" Suspending motion came instinctively to him as it has in snake encounters since hominids walked the savannas. Ahead on the grassy trail a large rattlesnake stretched full length. As rattlesnake sightings go, this one was perfect – no danger, no fright – a learning opportunity. I took Colton onto my hip and approached the snake. At that moment I could not have imagined the rattlesnake encounters yet to come with my boy. He's a snake magnet, and no rattler encounter would be so peaceful again. In a decade of close calls, Colton acquired a deep and broad catalog of swear words way too young. I spoke to my wide-eyed son as we closed to a safe distance. He needed to see what made this a rattlesnake. "Do you see the rattle on the end of its tail? Do you see that its head is shaped like a triangle? See those blotchy marks along its body?" Colton nodded silently, stiffly. "This one is greener than most. Did you know that their colors are a little different depending on where they live? If he lived up in the rocks he might be grayer." The rattler moved toward higher grass, not panicking like other snakes might. "See how he just wants to be away from us? They aren't looking to hurt us, but they sure can. That's why we always keep our eyes on the ground out here, right? Just like you were doing! Great job spotting him, buddy, you saved us!" Colton tried restraining a grin; he knew this would be a heroic story to tell. O Rattlesnakes give nearly everyone the heebie-jeebies, but most folks have only an abstract idea of what rattler encounters are like. Remember that intense feeling after narrowly avoiding a car accident? It's much the same emotion. The body floods with chemicals and the brain flashes code red. I always curse – loudly. It's uncontrollable. Swearing helps counter the intense adrenaline surge. And then for some people, once all is well, in sets fascination. This fascination borders on obsession for a few, like Lincoln's Dan Fogell, professor of biology at Southeast Community College. Fogell loves rattlesnakes. He keeps them in his lab and at home for education and outreach – a lot of them. He talks to them like naughty beloved dogs. They hate his guts. Fogell speaks of rattlesnakes like a botanist would of orchids – their varied colors and patterns, their personalities. He is captivated by their behaviors, by a rattlesnake mother's protective nature, by the sound of their rattles, and that they do the same things other animals do but without arms and legs. He is interested in their venom, which is a collection of enzymes that help digest large prey rapidly. "Because of this venom, rattlers don't need to lie around immobile with this giant lump in their gut," said Fogell. But Prairie Rattlers The prairie rattlesnake's daunting defensive stance is a rare display among wild creatures and has fostered fear and misinterpretation for centuries. Story and photos by Mark Harris DAN FOGELL