is that a RATTLESNAKE?

We nearly tripped over two 4ft-long snakes, very close together, in Arches National Park, Utah.

Click PLAY or see the snakes on YouTube.

Later I had another snake close to my camp in Canyonlands. (It’s a good idea to keep your tent zipped in this part of the world.)

At the time I hoped that this nonpoisonous big boy — the Gopher Snake or Bullsnake — was a mortal enemy of the Rattler. (I read that error in Edward Abbey’s 1968 book.)

Turns out the two species sometimes fight. Other times the snakes may even nest together.

Happily, I’ve still never seen a Rattler.