So exactly why is it you guys shoot every rattler & copperhead you see? They are pretty beneficial - at least so for the rattlers, and copperheads to some extent, as to how many rodents they kill. Of course, even though I like snakes - used to keep and breed several species of nonvenomous snakes - I've killed a few myself now and again for food (I like them but like eating them too). There is nothing bad about properly cleaned and cooked rattlesnake. Never tried copperhead and never will; while they eat rodents they also eat way too much of other things like frogs, other amphibians, insects (supposedly love cicadas among other insects) and such that probably make them taste terrible. Not saying that rattlers don't eat a varied diet but the ones I have gotten in AZ, CA & TX primarily ate small mammals. Mostly though, I leave venomous snakes alone and try to keep a good distance from them while at it.
I understand not wanting them around your house but if all of them were ever eliminated, you probably would soon regret the inevitable explosion of the rodent population. Anyway, be careful around them, you sure as heck do not want to be bitten by one of them. Rattlesnake and Water Moccasin bites can be extremely nasty; copperheads bad but usually not as bad. Don't forget those pretty little coral snakes, quite the deadly venom but supposedly a more pleasant way to go than from a rattler bite since their venom primarily shuts down your nervous system.
I understand not wanting them around your house but if all of them were ever eliminated, you probably would soon regret the inevitable explosion of the rodent population. Anyway, be careful around them, you sure as heck do not want to be bitten by one of them. Rattlesnake and Water Moccasin bites can be extremely nasty; copperheads bad but usually not as bad. Don't forget those pretty little coral snakes, quite the deadly venom but supposedly a more pleasant way to go than from a rattler bite since their venom primarily shuts down your nervous system.
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