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Other than the western screech-owl I told you about on the cheetah thread, the only interesting critters I've seen were here where I live -- and last night.

While my wife and I were driving her sister home at night, I happened to come across a rattlesnake in the road (one of the rare paved roads where I live). I stopped the car and got out and grabbed a stick and moved the snake off the road. To my surprise, it was a sidewinder. I say "surprise" because all the other sidewinders I've encountered have been roadkill. I'm quite pleased that I was able (at least temporarily) to keep it from getting killed.

Now get this: Within one mile after moving on, we spied another snake in the road. I got out again and, through the headlights, discovered that it was a Mojave rattlesnake, or Mojave Green as they're called here. Again, I moved it off the road, but it took two sticks to do so as this snake was highly aggressive (unlike the very retiring and shy sidewinder). From what I've read, the Mojave Green is also considered to be the most dangerous snake in North America, as its venom is not just hematoxic, as all other rattlesnakes, but neurotoxic as well. As in cobra venom. Fortunately for Americans, it is seldom encountered as it inhabits area without much people.

Except for where I live, apparently. Ha ha!

Just so you know, I'll be staying home tonight.

All the best, George!

Snake ping to you too, Jaz! Yeah, I know I should probably kill them, but I've loved snakes since I was a little kid, and I just won't kill them.

Case closed. Lol!

That's interesting that you'd come across a sidewinder and a Mojave Green like that. They like asphalt at night because of the warmth and where I lived in So CA there were many rattlers in the mtns, hills and front country right down into residential areas that abutted the brush areas.

A group of us teenagers used to go out NW of Barstow to hunt rabbits and shoot. The closest I ever came to getting nailed by a rattler was out there and it was a Mojave Green. We were hunting slow and I passed a clump of brush of some type, when I got about 5 or so feet past it the rattler buzzed and believe me when I say I still remember it, it was loud. I'd walked to within a foot or two of him and never saw him, couldn't believe he didn't strike. That's the only MG I've ever seen and don't want to see another one. Oh, and he got shot. :) I've read that they're the most poisonous rattler in the country but I'm no authority.

I haven't killed rattlers for years unless they're close to homes or near residential areas. I don't like them but don't think there's a reason to kill them if they're where they're not a danger to people and pets.

You can have them, I'll pass. LOL!