Killed the first rattler of 2012...
The "baby" one-foot long neonate Western Diamondback was coiled in hibernation near the water spigot in the fruit tree garden. It had blended in well with the rocks, dried grass, and dirt. Camouflage at its best.
After a well-placed blow with a spade, I examined it and noticed it didn't have enough keratin for form its first rattle.
Of course, where there is one, there is another...there is a four footer out there on our land somewhere.
The rodent population heaved a sigh of relief, but I got a feral cat to take care of them.
