TEXAS SNAKES, 2: We know rattle snakes rattle, but they 
aren't alone. We'll fill you in on Passport to Texas.

PTT from TPW and the Wildlife Restoration Program
 
[SFX -- western Diamondback Rattling] Hear that? That's the sound 
of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, the deadliest 
venomous snake in North America. You hear that sound 
when you're out hiking, and you better rethink your next 
step.

:06 -- The rattle serves the snake well in warning us that, 'Hey, 
there's snake over here; please mind your business and leave 
me alone.'

Of course, that's hard to do when they're hiding from you. 
Nevertheless, Andy Gluesenkamp, a Parks and Wildlife 
herpetologist, says rattlesnakes would rather leave you 
alone.
 
:01 -- Unless you're a mouse.

Right ... well ... assuming you're not a mouse, you're safe. 
Now here's something you might not know -- other snakes 
rattle.

:14 -- A rattlesnake rattles its tail with a rattle on the end that 
makes a very distinctive buzzing noise that once you've heard it 
you'll never forget it. However, a lot of snakes will rattle their 
tail in the same way, and will even back their tail up against 
some dried leaves or something to give it more effect. 

They're faking? Well, I guess we'll call those lying snakes. 

:13 -- Snakes that do that a lot include the Texas Rat Snake; Bull 
Snakes which are another large non-venomous snake; King 
Snakes. A lot of other snakes that are otherwise harmless use 
this tail rattling to try to scare away would-be predators.

Find information on Texas snakes at the TPW website. 

That's our show ... we receive support from the Wildlife 
Restoration program ... working to restore native habitat 
in Texas ... For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti. 

Total sound bite time:		 0:34.0
Maximum Script time:		 0:51.0 Suggested show time: 85.0 = 1:25