Backyard Herping -- Timberback Rattler

[Sonya610]

Photo isn't great because I was afraid to get close and my camera was full. This beautiful big boy (or girl) has shown up in my fenced yard at least twice in the last three weeks, first time found at 11 at night by 3 of my dogs, then today 4 of my dogs found him at 5 in the afternoon.

Thank God they rattle! It let's me know the moment I walk out the door to check out what is up, even in the dark. Both times it lead to extreme high drama as my dogs circled the rattler and barked, and I try to grab them and scream "GET IN THE HOUSE!!!!" (while they try to avoid being grabbed, seeing as how this is exciting and they want to keep barking at that weird kindov scary rattling thing).

Those snakes have good eyesight, once the dogs are up he/she starts heading out of the yard but if I step out of the door even 50 feet away it sees and starts rattling again. Maybe it will learn to avoid the yard? Or maybe I have to get rattlesnake vaccine for all my dogs.