CWU's Nick Zentner learns from graduate student Adrian Slade. Filmed on October 15, 2022. A follow-up video from April 26, 2023: • Rattlesnake Den with A...
I clicked on this because I recognized the Eastern Washington landscape instantly. I could spiritually smell the sage. The presentation was awesome. Everything deserves to have someone "get them" the way this lady does!
@@amacuro so your putting words in peoples mouths? Why the sudden hateful attitude. Boo to you...all they implied was there's a lot of people that love snakes.. No wonder your alone Yes...your the dick
She should get those notes together from past years and get a grant from the fish and wildlife dept. Her knowledge and skill set are priceless to Washington state particularly!
Thanks for this unexpected and interesting video. I have lived in Eastern Washington "snake country" for more than 70 years and learned more about rattlesnakes in this short video than I have learned in the past 70 years. I am used to encountering rattlesnakes and generally feel relaxed around them. The only den that I have found near Wenatchee was in the bank of gravel road cut in Rock Island, and there were holes in the bank that they inhabited. This talus den habitat is a new idea to me.
Never met a snake whisperer but here she is. She didn't disappoint in educating us about her friends , and she is very passionate about them , and in a very personal way. BTW great singer!
Adrian has changed me. I have never liked snakes, but I looked on them as threats. I now understand that they are not aggressive, that they must be treated with respect. Adrian's knowledge, enthusiasm and attitude, her humor towards them, have made me realize that they're not monsters but creatures like me and my cats. And, like my cats, they can be odd and quirky. I recognize that my cats are small predators and react like the predators they are and I make adjustments for that. I can see that it is same with snakes. Thank you for teaching me this.
Irony never ceases. I'm clearing brush at my dad's place and just met a slithery friend. We eyed each other and I wished him a good day and left him to his bush. I can trim it later.
Love how Adrian refers to her snakes in the personal. I respect our California rattlers (alot around spring-fall) we need them, they are part of the eco system. Never heard anyone speak about their social lives and habits though. Amazing. Rock hounding or hiking in the summer may lead one to cross paths with these guys, so this new information is brilliant- naturally. Thank you, more next year but this was an excellent field trip, that one guy and to see Adrian's methodology in dealing with him, priceless.
Have learned to like rattlesnakes, seeing as I run into them regularly around Central Wa (and don't want to hurt them)...this video really added to my understanding and appreciation of them.
What a coincidence, I just came across a 2ft rattlesnake on the trail yesterday. I was pretty close but she didn't strike. I just backed up and let her continue across the trail. You do great things with your platform Nick. We appreciate it.
I was rock climbing in a basalt rock area. Heard a rattlesnake while I was scaling up a crack and about to put my hand on ledge where snake was. Totally freaked me out. I was out of there for rest of day.
That was interesting. To be honest when I saw the topic I didn't think I'd be watching it right thru. But no only did I, I actually learned something of interest and look forward to you two visiting the Drumhellers in the Spring.
Great little video Nick, thank you so much. When she mentioned hating herself for wearing shorts through that bramble....I ouched just thinking about the times I have done the same.
This is great, Nick! Years ago in Moses Coulee The Nature Conservancy attempted to locate dens to protect populations from the "mining" of basalt columns (used as landscape features). I never heard the results of our efforts. Thank you Adrian for sharing what you've learned. I feel lucky whenever I see any snake.
Interesting subject! Adrian acts quite comfortable on camera and is obviously knowledgable about this matter. I learned that rattlers are not constrictors and use their venom to help with digestion. The Washington snakes are lucky to have such a passionate advocate as Adrian!
This was so cool and informative. Loved playing with garter snakes as a kid. Kept a few as pets but always released them. Great to see other aspects of what a great university CWU is.
I had an interesting rattle snake experience while working at Ely State Prison. I was a tower officer. One afternoon I watched a rattle snake come out of the sage brush and go towards the prison yard. I reported the snake to the perimeter officer who came with shovel on hand and decapitated the snake and carted it off to the dumpster. The next day I watched another rattle snake come out of the sage brush at he same place and take the exact same route towards the yard the previous one had taken. When the snake arrived at the location where the first one lost its head the snake stopped, spent a few minutes there then turn around and followed its path back into the sage brush. Some how I intuitively felt that the second snake was a family member searching for a missing member. I never observed any other snakes visiting the prison from that location.
Thanks for the informative diversion Nick and Adrian. I once was walking across the desert in Northern Nevada near sunset when I spied a rattlesnake sunning under a large rock, it was as big around as my full grown man forearm! I just backed away and went to camp......
A truly great watch. Thanks so much for this. As a biologist and lover of all things herp, this was nice to see/hear an onsite dialogue by someone with extensive field experience... I'll probably watch this again.
I viewed this video once again and really enjoyed Adrian’s lecture, if you will, on rattlesnakes and habitat. Very educational and hopefully Adrian can change people’s minds about the importance of rattlesnakes, and other snakes to our eco-system.
@@shay_box Is there a strict binary code regarding brains and beauty? Does the latter detract from, or negate, the former? His comment was no different in nature to my neice's reaction to her teacher. Didn't J.F. Kennedy and Jackie have a magnetism charisma that charmed a nation
I grew up in the SE of WA, below I90 and east of Othello to the Idaho border. Never saw many snakes, but a few on the roads, because I wasn't looking for them. I knew they were there somewhere deep in my brain, but while hunting, working, fishing and playing I never saw one in 20 years.
Each creature is a link in Nature's chain, and a chain is as strong as its weakest link. Just because people don't understand something doesn't mean it isn't important. All of Nature deserves respect.
I've grown up around snakes in So. California and always just treated them with avoidance, but Adrian has given me a whole new perspective on these interesting creatures. Thanks for sharing her passion and appreciation.
Fascinating tour of terrain that is completely different from my childhood desert fauna experience 60 years ago in the Indian Wells Valley near Ridgecrest, CA. Our snakes were the Western Diamondback and the Sidewinder; we also had desert tortoises, jack rabbits, horny toads (horned lizards), and whiptail lizards. The terrain was a broad, very dry flat basin with waist-high sagebrush being the dominant flora. We 10-yearolds could easily walk single file between the bushes on mostly compacted sand. Rocks were scarce on the basin floor. Needless to say the animals relied on the sage for shade and cover. 120F in the shade in July was common. We bagged a medium diamondback alive once. Because we were 10 and not that smart. Great job, Adrian. You taught a field class effortlessly.
This is so great. As a recipient of a non venomous bite from a 3 foot western diamond back, I can say I have a great respect for these animals. As a young man (think 1968) I thought it was very cool to catch rattle snakes for venom collectors. Not really a good thing for the snakes. I regret any damage I may have done. I am glad to see someone doing so much good
Very interesting little diversion, Nick.... and it's got a 'geology' aspect... Adrian is definitely a 'snake woman'...! Thanks for letting us meet her!!
Wow...what a great person she is. Committed and patient. I have 60 years of snake experiences in Arizona and little knowledge of PNW reptiles in my 6 years here. Love your geology vids...now I have someone else, in the sciences, to follow. Good luck to you both.
really interesting video and much respect to Adrain for her passion to study and share her knowledge. Hope you'll go back out to the site in the spring with her!!
What a greatly engaging video! Love hearing anyone who is passionate about their interests . Adrian certainly is ! Thanks Nick for bringing her to us. I wish Adrian every success in her future rattlesnake watching. We need more people like her !!! 🐻
Thank you so much for this video, Nick! I have been a life-long advocate for snakes myself, and it is definitely an uphill battle to combat the wives' tales and derogatory myths surrounding these animals. It is great to see someone with that same passion for them, and for you to give attention to this.
I think snakes wouldn’t be feared if they weren’t poisonous. I remember living in the Philippines and talking to people. Asia definitely has more people that should be afraid of snakes like cobras or whatever as they work their rice fields. The U.S. doesn’t really ever need to worry cause if there are snakes in the field you’re using equipment.
I have a pair of “Snake Gardz“ that cover your boot to knee that I wear in the areas like that… I am not a hunter for animals and I practice live and let live but be prepared ~ I have seen the physical effects of Rattle Snake bites first hand and especially when I am alone way off the normally traveled trails & paths… it’s good insurance if you find yourself by chance in bad situations with a snake… the Snake Gardz’s are also very handy in protecting you legs from white thorn and other sharp pointy things like cactus! Additionally most of those areas I like to go have no cell reception So I carry a satellite communication & GPS called and “InReach Mini” Satellite Text messages and SOS if needed =more insurance if by chance you trip and break a leg that you won’t be Cat chow or Bear food. All I am saying is simple advice = “Be prepared !” 😊
She did not mention, that the venom of a Pacific Rattlesnake, though it might make one sick, is vetually never fatal...these snakes are on the small side, and just do not make much venom.
@@curbozerboomer1773 Yes you are correct…. But in my opinion it is not the fatality of the venom that is the main reason you want to avoid being bitten. The effects of the venom on muscles and tissue is a major factor that must not be taken lightly. The venom kills tissue… where the bite occurs and surrounding area. if the bite is confined to an extremity can cause long term damage, disfiguration and also gangrene is left un treated… If you get bitten in the core area of you body…. then that can be more serious …. a bite there can cause organ damage. So, as a rule you don’t want to be bitten for other reasons besides death. Also if you are in a remote area bitten and now injured … that any injury can be a domino effect in a series of events that could cause you death by being disabled and unable to get to safety and die by exposure to the elements or being attacked by predators . That also can happen with other injuries broken legs etc > if you are in very remote areas unprepared. I am not trying to be an alarmist but seriously…. if you are in a very remote area your luck can change in a split second with a bad decision ! When I am out in areas like that I make sure i have enough to cover most issues and so far I have never had any reason to use them… But it is reassuring to know you are…prepared.
I really enjoyed this video. Adrian seems very knowledgeable and connected to her studies. Thanks Nick for giving her the opportunity to share her passion. It broadens my interest in rocks in a way I'd only briefly considered.
I remember my geology field camp and there were rattlesnakes everyday. We tried to avoid them and leave them to their daily routines. I grew up in an extreme desert habitat and always enjoyed snake interactions. Adrian is doing what she loves, and I'm sure her voice for these inspiring creatures will not go unheard. Thanks for sharing!
We need more people like Adrian to educate us about the snakes that share our planet. Though I will continue to avoid them, I understand the value snakes bring to our ecosystem. Thank you, Nick, for this video.
I've lived in the central Washington area for over 50 years and I've had great respect for the rattlers. I avoid them like the black plague, but I respect them.
I haven't seen a snake since I lifted a chunk of Microcline from a zinc mine tailing pile and found a baby Copperhead. I enjoyed this video -- it was an unexpected change of pace, and a reminder to watch where I step next time I'm out on the rocks.
I love snakes. I've never had one but I think they're beautiful. I was raised by a snake phobic mom but she never tried to get me to stop admiring them and I will be forever grateful.
This is a Wow. I have been up close and personal with many snake varieties here in Oklahoma, but not yet the 5 types of Rattlesnakes. Now? I have much more respect and certainly less fear, thanks to Adrian and this video. Thank you both.
Excellent! My grand father told me about rattlesnakes back in the 50's he said son these snakes have poison and that poison is how they catch themselves food.. Now you are a huge and dangerous thing to this snake they are little you are big, and all he wants to do is eat, sleep and play with his friends.. If you bother him, first he will try and run away, but if you keep bothering him your gonna scare him enough that he will bite.. That will make you sick and he will have to make more poison, and that takes time.. and all the while he can not get the food he wants and needs. How would like it if I said.. you couldn't have dinner tonight because I scared you.. So leave them alone they won't hurt you if you don't hurt them.. I have had a great relationship with snakes ever since.. even now in my 70'sI have taught my children and my grandchildren the same lesson.. don't fear the snake.. Just let him live his life as you live yours free from fear.. Can't wait until the spring for the next vid..
