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I have a perfectly sound explanation for that.
Snakes passing through. You'll still see plenty of snakes if you kill the rattler of a 1-2 acre territory, but that doesn't stop other rattlers or snakes from hunting there or passing through to go somewhere else. If a rattler with an adjacent territory has a lack of food, it'll go someplace else to hunt, but it will not permenately reside in the dead rattler's territory.
Now, all of this only applies if the territory is inhabited by something dangerous, such as goats, donkeys, and whathaveyou. A nearby snake may still come to hunt in an inhabited territory (such as for chickens) but it'll go back to its own place when it's done. Snakes passing through will mostly likely also hunt on their travels but they'll continue to go elsewhere.
We found a copperhead on our porch, but it was actively leaving. Our neighbors had a huge rattler by their house, killed it, and haven't seen another one since (they have livestock). I think having livestock is a major deterent for snakes, even the ones that are just passing through. For people who don't have livestock, they'll probably still continue to see snakes on a regular basis, ones that are hunting, or passing through. I have goats, horses, llamas, and chickens. The goats are with the chickens at all times. I have never had a snake around my chickens, because of the goats.
I take offense to you calling it an old wives tale. Talk to the AG extension people. They'll tell you that it's true.
Was just reading all this snake talk , and growing up in the hills of Ky I have always heard that if you kill a snake like a rattler , copperhead , etc, before the sunsets it's mate will come back for it . So I guess it is just a matter of where you live as to which rules ( I will not use stories or wives tales because there are actually some that I too belive in) apply. That is what they have always told us here from the time I was young. I have never in my life seen it happen and hope that I never do. I hate snakes with a passion , killed 2 here this year , missed one that was about 6 ft long , told the kids to watch it in the garden while the DH went to get the gun , they watched the small garden , not the one it was in , it went thru 3 1/2 rows of corn. Our idea of a good snake is a dead snake , that is the only kind of snake we like.. Dont care if it kills bugs , other snakes or whatever , I do not want me any part of a snake in my yard or around me period. Sorry to step on toes of those who say dont kill them , but when you have children who play outside and they are not old enough to know the difference , then the dead ones are great by me.
