Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is this possible? I'm not a hot keeper, but I figured you all would appreciate this. By the way, what kind of rattlesnake is this? The caption say Timber, but I thought Timbers were more black or yellow... Here is the caption:

114 POUND TIMBER RATTLER FOUND IN POTTER COUNTY 2 WEEKS AGO 7/12/2005

Big Rattler found in Potter County 2 weeks ago by Phillip Bowman. This big
timber rattler was found near a open path. Another reason to stay out of the woods

That is a western diamondback (C. atrox), not a timber. And isn't it amazing how camera angles, distances, and zooms can make normally sized snakes appear to be huge? That probably is a pretty good sized atrox, I'd guestimate 4.5-5' or so, but it might weigh a whole 10 lbs on a good day. The snake is being held out in front of the guys with tongs or something, and the camera is even farther away, probably zooming in, so it makes the snake appear much bigger. That guy would have some trouble holding up a 110lb in that manner.
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

>> and the camera is even farther away, probably zooming in, so it makes the snake appear much bigger.

Actually, it's the other way around. You take the picture up close with a wide angle lens.

But yeah, even if you were strong enough to hold 114 pounds out in front of you, there's not much chance of the aluminum tube on those tongs holding up...

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/claysnake.asp

Actually, I think that the photo has been floating around since before Febuary of this year, but after seeing so many "fishing" pictures of rattlesnakes, I could be mistaken.
Shane

Actually, it's just a very poorly done cut and paste job. If you look at the snake's shadow, you can see that there is no depth in the shadow. Look especially close at the snake's shadow where it crosses the man's foot, or where it crosses his arm. Also, the shadow suddenly disappears where it meets the shaft of the clamp. Nice atrox though.

It’s actually a real photograph. But the snake has been put closer to the camera to give the appearance of a larger size. I have done that with tigers mostly. I am a Photographer and editor, and if that was edited, they sure did an amazing job. Better than every professional I have worked with.

Cheers,
J

it's all a perspective thing, but still the shadow doesnt look right down by the tail. Check out how the shadow falls on the pants leg, then the shoe, then onto the ground. It's just fake all the way around.
Looks to me like a 5 foot snake that probably weighs about 10 pounds or so at the end of a long set of pilson tongs.
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

a bit of body support would be good to see. np

Personally I think the guys are something to fear more than the snake. I'd rather ncounter a giant rattler than those guys in the woods.

I've found a 74" atrox in S. TX. in 94' that I took home measured and weighed and took lots of pics and videos of. He wasn't nowhere close to 114lbs, LOL!!!!!! He did weigh an impressive 11 lbs with 1" fangs and a head slightly smaller than my fist. It took forever to get him into the bag! Didn't have a digi-cam then, so all the pics are on Kodak paper - sorry.

Zee