What We Can Learn from a Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes - There are three species of rattlesnake found in Canada.  The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake lives in southern Ontario, the Western rattlesnake lives in the grasslands of British Columbia and the Prairie rattlesnake lives in Saskatchewan and Alberta.  The prairie rattlesnake is found in the mixed-grass and short-grass prairie in river banks, coulees, badlands and sage-flats.  I live in Lethbridge, Alberta and there are rattlesnakes in the coulees here in the city. 

People and snakes have more interactions as the temperature rises during the summer.  Cold blooded snakes crave the sun, but they like to stay hidden to get close to their prey.  Rattlesnakes have an unmistakable loud buzz made to startle any aggressor and hopefully avoid having to bite. 

If you hear the rattlesnake’s rattle, here is what you should do.  First, stop moving! You need to listen and find out which direction the sound is coming from and then slowly back away.  Do not approach or try to touch a rattlesnake. If you do get bitten, immobilize the area and get immediate medical attention.  You may need to be treated with antivenom.  

It is more dangerous to be bitten by an adult rattlesnake than a juvenile rattlesnake.  Adults possess more venom, making the bites more dangerous.  Rattlesnake venom is a mix of different toxins.  Antivenom is able to counteract those toxins.

The snake’s rattle is made up of loosely interlocking segments made of keratin.  Each segment is held in place by the one in front and behind it. The snake uses its muscles to shake its tail, sending waves down the length of the rattle.  The segments are loose, so they click against each other.  This happens so fast that all you hear is a buzz and all you see is a blur. Rattlesnakes get a new segment each time they shed their skin.  The section that covers the end of the rattle doesn’t fall off. 

 Rattlesnakes give birth to live young.  Mother rattlesnakes stay with their babies until their first shed.  Mothers provide and care for them, and defend them.  

Here are the sayings I found on the bookmark from a rattlesnake:

What we can learn from a rattlesnake -

• Be Flexible

• Keep a Low Profile

• Think Before You Strike

• Soak Up the Sun

• Shed Your Old Ways

• Be Thick-Skinned 

• Don’t Get Rattled!

Here is what those sayings made me think about:

• Be Flexible - As a teacher that was one of the most important characteristics needed in order to accomplish anything in my classroom.  While having a plan for your lesson each class, it was important to be flexible and take advantage of teachable moments.  This is true for everyone - teachers, parents, leaders, entrepreneurs.

• Keep a Low Profile - work quietly in the background and don’t draw attention to yourself

• Think Before You Strike - think before you speak or take action

• Soak Up the Sun - enjoy a bright sunny day. Ever notice how much brighter our mood is on a sunny day compared to a gloomy, dull day.

• Shed Your Old Ways - Try new things and change those old habits that hold you back.

• Be Thick-Skinned - Accept the fact that not everyone will like you.  Be true to yourself and do what is right.

• Don’t Get Rattled! - Have a plan, learn new things and step out with confidence to face each and every day.

Have a great day everyone.  

# living life abundantly   # published author   # travelling tuesdays