In which I identify with the rattlesnake
November 13, 2006
A few weeks ago, Roger and I took my nephew, Chase, to the zoo. I was fascinated to stand in the reptile enclosure and watch a Western Diamondback Rattlesnack go ballistic anytime I got near its case. If I stood across the hall and watched the rattlesnake, it was calm. If I drew near its case, even as close as a foot away, its tail would begin rattling - it was moving so fast that at times its tail was just a blur.
Obviously, the snake was agitated by my presence. I thought that was totally lame, because I wasn't the one threatening its life. It was threatening mine. Except for the fact that it was in a cage and I was walking merrily about, but that's beside the point because again: I'm not slithering around, killing people.
I hate snakes, hate snakes with a white hot burning passion of hatingness, and only find it acceptable to be in their presence when they are caged. With a very, very tight lid. Some of my most fond childhood memories involve me watching my dad shoot a snake in our yard with his gun. My dad? He's a good shot. And looking at a mangled, dead snake with its head dangling by a piece of its skin gave me a deranged pleasure. I was even somewhat giddy about it. And totally relieved that my dad had so gallantly protected me.
That's why I am so appalled by Jackie Bibby, aka "The Texas Snakeman," who is shown in this image dangling ten Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes from his mouth in a bid for a place in the Guiness Book of World Records.
First, I live in Texas, which means that someone, somewhere, probably in North Dakota or Minnesota or rural Pennsylvania, is going to assume that all Texans are alike. They'll know us as The People Who Ride Our Horses To Work And Dangle Rattlesnakes In Our Mouths For Fun™.
Second, who came up with the idea to put several snakes in their mouth and hold them there without assistance? I want to know what the snakes are doing while dangling there. Have they been sedated? Or are the snakes all riled up and twisting about?
Because if someone hung me upsidedown, I'd be none too pleased about it. In fact, I might even try to bite the guy. And he'd totally deserve it, too.
Technorati: record, records, world records, guiness book of world records, snake
Comments
I am so grossed out and freaked out right now I have no idea what to say. Except a giant EWWWWW.
Posted by: guinness girl | November 13, 2006 02:25 PM
Ew ew ew ew ew ew! JES! I AM EATING MY LUNCH HERE!!!
Ew.
Posted by: Daily Tragedies | November 13, 2006 02:59 PM
I saw something about this on the news. The snakes are awake and moving about. No thank you.
Posted by: Heather | November 13, 2006 03:07 PM
Daily Tragedies: Ha. Um, you're not anymore.
Posted by: jes | November 13, 2006 03:14 PM
OMG!!! I can't believe that he has all of those snakes in his MOUTH!!! I too am in/from Texas and I'll have to agree with you, I hate snakes and one of my fondest memories with snakes would have to be the sight of my crazy neighbor running at top speed with a shovel in her hands and hacking at the grass near where we were playing! :) Nice...I know. Hope you have a great day!
Posted by: Melinda | November 13, 2006 03:19 PM
No, you're right. I am not. Perhaps I'll bookmark this page for the next time I need a little dieting help...
Posted by: Daily Tragedies | November 13, 2006 03:26 PM
OMW!
MOST LIVE RATTLESNAKES HELD IN MOUTH!!!
Disgusting. Fascinating. Repulsive. How does one train for this?
Posted by: eddo | November 13, 2006 04:35 PM
I should dig out my blog entry about how I had to kill a rattlesnake in my back yard one time. Mr Stapler was out of town and there was no one to help me and I wanted to protect my dog.
It was rather terrifying, but I got it done, then ran around the house high on adrenaline and feeling like Xena, pumped UP at being the Protectress.
When I went out to put it in the trash, the evil head was still opening and closing its jaws...I still shudder thinking of it.
Posted by: Suebob | November 13, 2006 05:00 PM
Ok, after the lady with the fingernails? This is the #2 thing I wish I'd never, ever seen. SHUDDER.
Posted by: Lawyerish | November 14, 2006 09:13 AM
EW! EW! EEEEEEEWWWW!
Posted by: Ang | November 14, 2006 09:26 AM
Ew ew ew!!! I hope that guy uses some SERIOUS anti-bacterial mouth-rinsing agents after that. And I hope he's not married. I feel bad for whoever has to kiss him after that.
That can't taste good. And what happens if some scales flake off in his mouth? That's so gross.
Posted by: my life is brilliant | November 15, 2006 10:52 AM
This picture is just disgusting...)))
Posted by: Nina | November 16, 2006 01:04 AM
How unusual. I wrote something similar about Texas and this snake guy a couple of days ago. But in a different context for both. Sorry I have been away.
~Jef
Posted by: Edge | November 16, 2006 07:19 AM
I'm so afraid of snakes I won't even set foot inside the reptile house at the zoo. Not even to torment them, even though I can certainly see the theraputic value of doing so.
Currently, I've got my feet propped up, because I'm pretty sure all of those snakes in that guy's mouth are hiding under my desk, waiting to strike because I laughed at this post.
Posted by: Robin | December 5, 2006 06:19 PM
The snakes are fresh from Texas, the Austin area. They are not altered in anyway and he came up with the idea to put snakes in his mouth. P.S. His kisses are fantastic, some of the best I have ever had!!!!!!
Posted by: princess | February 1, 2007 10:34 PM
I know Mr.Bibby personally and for you to sit here and act all high and mighty is such a load of crap. You act as if he is truely harming the snakes.I guess you have never harmed anything in your life, well I call BS. I bet you have done more harm to any living creature than Mr. Bibby has to any of those snakes. Get off your high horse before you fall and break your neck.
Posted by: Steven | August 8, 2007 02:42 PM