Rattlesnakes: How common are they in the higher elevations?

[halhiker]

I saw these two getting into a moment worthy of Barry White on my way down from Tahquitz via South Ridge on Saturday. First time I'd seen a rattler anywhere in the San Jacintos. A hiker said he saw one on the Devil's Slide Trail on his way up. Busy day for rattlers.

[zippetydude]

I came across a pair like that a couple years ago. When I looked into it, I found out that the sentiment is just the opposite of romance. Maybe these two fellas had been listening to some music from Rocky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhRMkDqt0xQ

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[Florian]

Hal, about where along South Ridge trail did you see those two? Jon King and i saw a 3.5' southern pacific at the tower a month ago.

-Florian

[halhiker]

I don't know if they were battling or getting busy but it did appear they were conjoined. Florian, they were almost to the window on the way down. Before you get to Gorilla Rock.

http://www.thetrailmaster.com/the-trail ... by-hikers/

[zippetydude]

I agree hal. When I heard it was a ritual battle I wondered if it wasn't also a behavior that served another purpose. Dogs, after all, even females, exhibit a certain behavior (I can't think of a polite way to say it...it rhymes with bumping...) to express dominance that is also a process in the act of reproduction, so why not? In fact, some human language also has a double meaning. I was amazed in Florida that they have signs in remote parking lots where nobody would be speeding anyway but teenagers might go to be alone together, and it doesn't say "Speed Bump". It's a crazy world.

https://www.google.com/search?q=speed+h ... uICh2RKgFB

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