I don't know about that. Scientists are even split on the idea.
We are having a horrible year with rattlesnakes. I've had a half dozen of the buggers since April 1. My neighbors have each had 10 or more. People have been killing rattlesnakes for many centuries and the snakes are just figuring out now to be quiet? With respect, I don't buy it. They don't always rattle before striking anyway, as their camouflage is a much better defense than striking. They don't travel much more than a quarter of a mile in their lifetime. I rehome them when I can, they are beneficial and a part of the natural order of things.
Also, coyote howl when they feel like it, they are usually solitary hunters but sometimes hunt in packs or small groups. They do growl, bark and yip when they kill, or to communicate to communicate with the group. If they are hunting solo you won't hear anything. I have seen a coyote kill on two occasions, quickly and on the run. Pretty much silent. If you have a lot of open space and plenty of food, you probably don't hear them. I see coyotes almost daily, I hear them much less frequently. We have a couple of active coyote packs near us and they are plenty noisy - and also often shot / shot-at.
>________________________________
> From: jajeanpierre <jajeanpierre@yahoo.com>
>To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 9:46 AM
>Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Re: chicken pens surrounded by snakes
>
>
>
>
>I'm with you Marlene. Snakes are very beneficial.
>
>If I ever found a rattlesnake on my property I would try to rehome it rather than kill it.
>
>Rattle snakes are now evolving to not have rattles (or not use them). The snakes that rattled are found easily and are killed, favoring for survival and reproducing the snakes that didn't rattle.
>
>It's happening with coyotes, too. I live where their should be an awful lot of coyotes. Lots of food (road kill deer everywhere), lots of open spaces and lots of acreage too small to allow the discharge of firearms. I have only noticed coyote howls once or twice. A neighbor told me that the noisy coyotes were all hunted down. The ones less likely to make noise survived.
>
>I have yet to see a rattlesnake on my property and it is prime rattlesnake habitat. I have a small goldfish pond which produces hundreds of frogs every year. My next door neighbor has a proper large pond and just behind me is an even larger pond. There has to be a lot of rattlesnakes around. I'm in south central Texas, so they will be around the water. I've yet to see one. I have seen a few non venomous snakes, though. I just think you can do a lot to avoid having a bad interaction.
>
>Janet
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