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Visit to Rattlesnake Museum From Issue #33, published January, 1996 Rattlesnakes are not mean, they're just wimpy reptiles with fangs. I use the word wimp with great respect and probably erroneously, only to make a point: rattlesnakes are not out to hurt humans, just the opposite — they're scared pitless of us! And that's why God gave them rattles: to warn enemies to get lost. Or else! Why do I bring this up? Well, because I just visited the American International Rattlesnake Museum, two blocks off old Route 66 in Old Town Albuquerque. It's the keenest display of rattlesnakes I've ever seen — ten times better than any roadside "See Live Rattlesnakes" sideshow. About 50 rattlers are on display at the world's largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes! Do you want to know how big a collection of rattlesnakes this is? Well, it hosts more different species than the Bronx Zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo, the National Zoo, the Denver Zoo, the San Francisco Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo, all combined! And to top it off, there's even a Gila Monster, one of only two poisonous lizard species in the world. Wow! Is there ever a lot to learn about rattlesnakes! For example, did you know that the rattlesnake was a serious contender for our national symbol? It's true. The bald eagle won out, of course. Still, during the American Revolution, a very famous American flag pictured a big timber rattler with the phrase, "Don't Tread On Me." The message meant. "If you Brits mess with us (the 13 American colonies) we'll let you have it just like the rattler on this flag!" Interestingly, the snake on the flag has 13 rattles, and the phrase "Don't Treat On Me," contains 13 letters. Very clever those Colonialists. Bob Myers is the director of the American International Rattlesnake Museum, which he founded five years ago after returning to New Mexico from Florida where he taught school. "My background is biology," he said. "I decided when I moved back here that I wanted to do something I loved." So he opened the museum. About a quarter million folks have visited since. Not only do they leave with a better understanding of rattlesnakes and other vipers, but many take home a very cool Rattlesnake Museum T-shirt (Want one? Send $13.95 plus $3.50 for postage and handling to: The Rattlesnake Museum, 202 San Felipe NW, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87104). I asked Bob to tell me people's biggest misconception about rattlesnakes. "They're extremely shy," he answered. "They don't want anything to do w
Bob said only about one percent rattlesnake bites prove fatal to humans. Small children and the aged are the most vulnerable. The biggest rattlesnakes grow to about eight feet. Most are two to four feet. A baby rattler has only a single button on its tail, which doesn't rattle, which makes the tiny reptile very dangerous. An adult may have up to 12 rattles, but the number has nothing to do with the snake's age. A few other interesting rattlesnake facts: The Colorado Desert Sidewinder is not found in Colorado. The Western Diamondback is the rattler of choice in Hollywood movies because it's big and rattles a lot. A rattlesnake will do its best to remain silent and let an enemy pass it by. It takes a serious threat to get its tail wagging. Some non-venomous snakes make good pets (but not rattlers, of course). They're clean, quiet, shed no fur, don't scratch furniture, usually feed only once a week, and don't have to be let out. The Rattlesnake Museum is open daily from 10-6. For info, call (505) 242-6569. Adult admission is $2 ($1 for kids), which includes a Certificate of Bravery to all visitors who make it out alive. ©2000 by Out West Newspaper Do you have any comments or update information about this story? E-mail Chuck Woodbury Read more articles and information about rattlesnakes
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