Rattlesnakes changing their tune, strike with no warning

Some snake experts say rattlesnakes are not rattling like they used to, often striking with no warning. The distinctive sound means back away. "You usually hear them rattling before you even see them," said Bob Griffin, a rancher. "That's normal behavior." But, the normal behavior by rattlesnakes is not being heard. Snake experts and ranchers like Bob Griffin say rattlesnakes are not rattling like they used to. "I think it's in their evolution," said Griffin. Mike Clanton is a reptile keeper at Caldwell Zoo. He says it is normal for rattlesnakes to be silent before attacking their prey. "If they are sneaking up on the prey item, they would lose a meal," said Clanton. But, when encountering a human or animal larger than itself, the reptiles normally sound off. "If they don't feel like they will get away from it or stay still, that is when they will rattle," Clanton explained. Why are some ranchers and wildlife experts hearing less of the rattle? Daryl Sprout, a herpetologist and owner of Snake Encounters in Dallas had some answers. "It is very true that in nature that natural selection is already beginning to prefer snakes that do not bring attention to themselves and therefore draw incoming fire from humans," said Sprout...more

The snakes are mimicking the feds.