The Biggest Rattlesnake You'll Ever See?

[MIKA27]

The Biggest Rattlesnake You'll Ever See?

The biggest western diamondback rattlesnake ever caught? An Arkansas man borrowed a hot pink snubnose revolver from his wife to shoot this one after it bit one of his dogs.

As with all things “biggest,” there’s controversy over this critter’s size. Some claimed 2.66m when photos were originally posted to Facebook last month. But there does seem to be some Tom-foolery with forced perspective in this original picture:

Note the specialised snake-killing footwear. Never attempt to shoot a pistol at a dangerous animal lying on the ground in front of you unless you’re wearing thongs.

Probably closer to 1.8m, than over 2.5m. Still a really big rattler.

The largest western diamondback ever officially measured was 2.35m long. And let me tell you, that is a monster. I’ve only encountered a rattlesnake this large once in my life and hope to never again. Until you see one as big around as your thigh in real life, it’s hard to believe the get that huge. Typical sizes are closer to the 0.9 to 1.5m range.

Hitting the snake with a .38 snub can’t have been easy.

[GasGuy82]

I find both barrels of a Parker 16GA makes things far easier and cleaner.

[PigFish]

That is a big rattler... Wow!

[Orion21]

That's a big old snake. Would be interesting to see the rattle up close to see how old it is exactly.

[MrGTO]

That'll make a nice pair of boots!

Edit: and belt and wallet

[eswary]

Living in Florida and hating snakes don't mix. Can't tell ya how many times I've had to strap up and go to war...

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[helix]

Freaky! I hates snakes.

[sengjc]

Looks like a python.

[archosaur]

I'll weigh in here for the pro-snake lobby

Beautiful animal, too bad about the dog but also a shame to lose an apex predator like that. A rattler that size is definitely a male, in that size class they can take rabbits easily. Grew up looking for Eastern Diamondbacks (which incidentally, have the slight nod for the largest record rattlesnake size) in Florida.

[TomF]

I hope he ate it.

[Fosgate]

Occasionally I have to go to claims near the southern edge of the Badlands National Park and that place is loaded with them. So much that ranchers will ask before you get out of the truck to look down to make sure you don't step on one. I've walked across grass before and stood talking to someone for a few seconds and then step forward to hear a rattle behind me. Had I shifted and stepped backward I would have been bitten. He got to mouthful of hot lead this time.

[MrGTO]

I suggest these if your in rattler territory. I hunt in them if I'm in mountains around here.

https://www.google.com/search?q=snake+gaiters&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

[PapaDisco]

I find both barrels of a Parker 16GA makes things far easier and cleaner.

Cleaner? ;-)

[jackattack]

I've seen many western diamondbacks hunting quail in the Sonoran desert here in Arizona. Never seen one close to that size. that bad boy is a BEAST! Eating well apparently. I have encountered a couple on my front porch, leading to the morning Moonwalk coffee dance....no need for a second cup!

[jwr0201]

Photos don't jive. First one has the snake nearly doubled at shoulder height. Second photo has the snake only a few inshes longer than the guy is tall. No where close to 2.5 meters. That would be a record for an Eastern Diamondback, which IS the longest and largest rattlesnake species. These snakes are actually not agressive if left alone. Once disturbed, they mean business. No need to kill them, as they are in serious decline over most of their ranges. In Florida, I have not seen an Eastern in more than 20 years. Getting very rare.

Another idiot looking to make a name for himself.