Have you ever wondered what thousands of pounds of rattlesnakes smell like? Neither had I, and thanks to Rite Guard and cool weather I didn’t have to find out! I had been warned to prepare for the smell at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, and fortunately, it wasn’t bad. Started by Bill Ransberger, the Rattlesnake Roundup has been a tradition in Sweetwater for 66 years now, and it is one of the largest and most famous rattlesnake roundups in the world. Let me tell you, it is quite the spectacle.
The main attraction, as you might have guessed, is the roundup itself. People from all over come together to hunt rattlesnakes in the surrounding area. It’s kind of wild to see so many people with their snake hooks and bags, but it’s all part of the experience. They hunt the snakes over the three-day course of the festival, and on the third day, they award prizes for the longest snake, the heaviest snake, and for breaking the longest snake record. The event is put on by the Sweetwater Jaycees, part of the international Jaycees organization, whose mission it is to empower young people to create positive change in their communities and to develop the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to become effective leaders. All of the Jaycees who work the event volunteer their time, and the profit earned from the event goes back to the community in the form of things like sponsoring baseball teams. The Rattlesnake Roundup averages an $8 million annual contribution to the economy on top of educating the public about rattlesnake safety.
Once they’ve caught the snakes, they bring them back to the roundup grounds, where they’re weighed and measured. It’s pretty fascinating to see these creatures up close – although I’ll admit, it may be unsettling for some!
One of the highlights for me was the bus tour. Experts take you out to an active snake den area and teach you all about these reptiles. They even give you the chance to take photos with a snake, if you’re brave enough!
Another highlight of the roundup is the snake milking demonstrations, where venom is extracted from live rattlesnakes for research. It’s an interesting process to watch and provides valuable insight into the importance of snake venom research.
And if you’re interested in learning more about rattlesnakes and their role in the ecosystem, there are educational exhibits and presentations to check out as well. Here are a few things I learned about rattlesnakes from this event:
- The smaller a rattlesnake is, the more potent its venom is – not because it is stronger, but because younger snakes are not yet able to control how much venom they release, so they release it all!
- Rattlesnakes play an important role in controlling mice populations.
- Cats will hypnotize rattlesnakes with their tails, waving them back and forth. While a snake is enthralled with a cat’s tail, the cat will take that opportunity to kill and eat the snake.
- Rattlesnakes are much calmer in cooler weather. They don’t care much for the heat.
- Rattlesnakes get their color from the environment they live in. Whatever color the dirt is, that is the color the snake will be because the dust collects in their skin.
- If you see a rattlesnake, stay still, and scream for help. However, make sure you yell that you need help because of snake so that whoever comes to help you is prepared!
- Snakes can’t hear. When they stick out their tongues, they are tasting the air. Their bellies also feel vibrations.
- Rattlesnakes birth about 12-20 snakes at a time, each the size of an earthworm. They can have babies every 3-4 months.
- Rattlesnakes are born with teeth and venom and are ready to go. They get no nurturing.
- Rattlesnake venom is currently being used is cancer research.
- If a rattlesnake loses a tooth, it will grow back within a couple of hours.
- Rattlesnakes urinate through their skin, which is what causes the stink at the Rattlesnake Roundup.
The carnival
But it’s not all about the snakes. The roundup also features all sorts of other activities and attractions. There are vendors selling everything from cowboy hats to homemade crafts, carnival rides for the kids (and the young at heart), a rattlesnake parade, a miss snake charmer pageant, a gun, knife, and coin show, a cookoff, a dance, and of course, plenty of food – including what I hear are some pretty tasty snake dishes for those with a more adventurous palate than mine.
All in all, the Ratttlesnake Roundup was definitely an experience to remember. It’s a true west Texas tradition, and I’m glad I had the chance to be a part of it. If you ever find yourself in Sweetwater or a nearby area the second weekend of March, I highly recommend checking it out!
