My wife and I took a trip Friday to Sweetwater, TX for the annual Rattlesnake Roundup. This was our first year to go and we had a blast. I didn't know what to expect because I have never been to something like that but I found out it was a lot more safe then it sounds.
We opted out of bringing our kids because we didn't know how safe it would be for a 4 and 7 year old. I had first imagined the event as somewhat dangerous for a child to go to because of how easy it easy for a child of that age to dart towards something before you have the chance to grab them or stop them. I was also imagining people getting in bathtubs full of snakes and things like that that you see on tv( they told us some roundups do that sort of thing but this one does not - They want to make this roundup the safest and most educational for people of all ages and for over the last 50 years that is exactly what they have done). Once we got there I already wished I could have brought the kids because it was very easy to tell how kid friendly the place was. My wife and I both agreed that next time we go we will be bringing our kids.
This event is HUGE, there are tons of vendors, games, food, and rides. I was mainly focused on the main attraction. I wanted to see the rattlesnakes. I have never liked rattlesnakes that much because I have had a few bad experiences with them growing up so I wanted to get a first-hand look and reeducate myself about them. I mean I am used to seeing some rattlesnakes every year where I live but they blend in so well with their natural habitat that I don't even like going on nature hikes around here because I don't want me or a family member to accidentally step on one and get bitten.
Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded and need the heat from the sun to keep their bodies warm. Therefore they first emerge in March when temperatures start to reach the 60's and when the summer months come they tend to look for shady areas because it gets too hot for them. When it comes to colder days they tend to stay in their dens to keep warm. We witnessed this in Sweetwater this weekend as the weather was in the 30's and 40's. The rattlesnakes were very docile this year due to the cold weather. If the handlers werent directly picking them up or moving them they mostly just lay motionless and coiled up to keep themselves warm.
Every part of a caught rattlesnake can be used. The venom is milked to make antivenom. The skin is used to make materials. The meat is cooked to eat and that was my next stop. I took the rattlesnake meal which was "2 pieces of rattlesnake, Fries, and a drink". It was deep fried pieces of rattlesnake and I actually ended up getting three pieces instead of two. I have always heard that it "tastes like chicken" and that is how I can honestly describe the tast. My only con to the rattlesnake is that it is very boney but other than that I enjoyed it.
We took a guided bus tour out to some land where a rattlesnake Den was. The handlers pulled a couple of snakes out of their den and showed us how well the rattlesnakes could blend in with their natural habitat. They told us that the western Diamond back is the most common in Texas and they are not at all aggressive. The eastern diamond back, however, is another story. They also allowed us to get some pictures and touch the rattlesnakes (while they held the head).
All in all I had a great time and I am definitely planning on doing this again. Next time my kids will come and enjoy it with me. I leave you with some videos we took while at the event! or Watch the Playlist on Youtube
Here is a link to their website with tons of information about the annual event
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