I suppose this thread is headed for the sandbox, but I really think for some of us these are part of gardening just like weeds. They are for me living in the country, for sure. I would note that after being on and around this property for 60+ years, it has been extremely rare for a rattlesnake to supply a warning rattle. That generally occurs after you have disturbed them directly. If you accidently step on one that is quietly trying to stay invisible, the warning rattle is likely to come after the bite. It always makes me nervous when I hear people say they safer than copperheads because of a warning rattle. That's just not true most of the time and rattlesnake bites tend to be more dangerous than a copperhead bite. I have both here and occasionally both are in and around my plants, so I try to pay attention.
See the rattler wrapping at the bottom of the container? I walked by this for about 3 hours before I saw it there. The path goes right by the posts defining the bed.
This copperhead, which I find more often in the beds, is just resting quietly on the top of the post, but I saw one resting in an iris stalk once.
Smoothing out the damage from an armadillo is when a copperhead nailed me. I know to look and I was, but they really are hard to see and it had sort of snuggled under the loose dirt the armadillo had stirred up. I had trouble finding it even after it bit me. It wasn't a serious bite and I didn't have any serious repercussions, but it cost me a night in the hospital anyway. So life that adapts or even prefers the garden environment is some gardeners should be familiar with. Being allergic to a wasp sting would be every bit as dangerous as the snake bite. Also here are Black Widow spiders who are bad housekeepers making their webs look abandoned. You'd think I'd know that by now, but it still fools me sometimes and I'll use my hand to clear it away. They are particularly fond of stacked stones - and so are the scorpions which only have a wicked sting.
