Monster Rattlesnake!
I have recently posted some nature photos and photos of area festivals. One can not help note the Clay County, West Virginia, rattlesnake that has been in the news recently. In my 34 years of teaching biology, I have had students bring in photos of hugh snakes that definitely were hoaxes. I have even had folks kill a rattlesnake and then stretch it across the hot radiator of the car. After hours of driving, the poor reptile will greatly increased it's length. The Clay County snake is, indeed, another classic case of a hoax. (Reptiles always make good fodder for great exaggerated stories!)The Clay County article stated that this WV reptile weighed 50 pounds and another stated it was 118 pounds (I like the exactness of scientific measurement). It was 8 feet in length. Well, dear hearts, notice how close the snake is to the camera lens in comparison to the brave souls who have killed this massive reptile! By using this technique, one can get great photos of monster minnows. You will also note that the fellow holding this 50 pound snake at the end of the stick has Herculean strength. Try connecting a 50 pound bag of flour to a five foot stick and holding it out in front of your body!! Well, we all realize that the length and weight of this animal are not realistic. The really great thing about this Clay County, WV, reptile is that this species does not live in our state. The photo is of a Western Diamondback rattlesnake. The only rattlesnake in our region is the Eastern Timber Rattlesnake.
I need a photo of a 25 pound Luna moth! Please send photo as soon as possible. (Chuckle)