Timber Rattlesnake
As I continue on this spiritual awakening, my journeys take me to many places and I get to meet many different beings throughout the universe. As I meet the different beings, I want to learn more about them so that I can know and understand them better if I meet them again.
On a recent hiking outing I was fortunate enough to meet a Timber Rattlesnake in the wild. There was a deep spiritual connection in this meeting and now I want to learn more about the snake.
Timber Rattlesnakes are large heavy-bodied snakes that are characterized by dark crossbands or chevrons on a lighter background. They also will most likely have black tails.
They are known as ambush predators and feed mostly on rodents. They are also known to sometimes go after birds that venture near them. They can be found in the forest areas and the mountains and are known to hibernate together in large numbers and with different types of snakes. They can hibernate in a stump, hole, underneath rocks, fissures in rocky ledges or other crevices.
These snakes will mate in late summer or early fall and the females will give birth to 5-20 snakes the next year.
Most importantly the Timber Rattler is venomous and their bites can kill. They are not aggressive snakes and prefer to camouflage themselves and hide rather than confront a human. They will only bite a human if confronted or held.
Adult Timber Rattlers are average between 2 ½ to 5 feet in length. There have been reports of some actually reaching a length of 7 feet.
Timber Rattlesnakes play an important role in our ecosystems by keeping the populations of small mammals in check. They also help control tick- borne diseases such as Lyme disease in check by consuming ticks that are found on their prey.
Due to their large size and fangs, their bites bring a deadly punch. Immediately after being bitten, the venom will start causing pain, swelling, excessive bleeding, and various neurological symptoms. The venom will also cause the wound from properly closing and there is a chance that the bite victim will bleed out.
If you get bit, do the following: don't panic, call 911 or get to the emergency room immediately. Lie or sit down while waiting, keeping the affected body part below the heart, and wash the bite with warm soapy water and cover it with gauze.
I got to meet a Timber Rattlesnake while hiking. I was on top of a rock in the NC mountains overlooking the beauty of nature. I looked over next to me and there sat the snake coiled up. It lives under a large rock on top of the mountain. It left me alone and I left it alone. Our spirits recognized we meant each other no harm. We were just 2 beings, me sightseeing the universe and it soaking up the warmth of the sun, who loved nature and understood the importance and fact that we were one and connected. We respected each other's boundaries and even though much different, we existed together on the same piece of land. Something many people and nations of the world should take note of. There is plenty of the universe for everyone.
I have learned much about my Rattlesnake friend. It is something to take seriously and respect. But it is also a spirit just like me, trying to make its way in this world. Together we can make it a better journey.
Blessings
By Michael Walters
The Ancestor's Fire
Writing the voices of the unheard
Comments