# rattlesnake in basement? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797 "2017-06-12T19:15:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/21 "2017-06-12T22:51:43Z")
I _used_ to know the right person to call - a little old lady; however, she swallowed a fly & now…she’d dead, of course. > [@snfaulkner](#): > > …and problem solved! Nope! Wrong! Doncha know anything? Then he’s have a snake in the basement & would have to get some…mongooses (mongeese?) Then where would we be Mr. Smartypants? Huh, huh, huh? Can you answer me that? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/22 "2017-06-12T22:59:34Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > … > Nope! Wrong! Doncha know anything? Then he’s have a snake in the basement & would have to get some…mongooses (mongeese?) Then where would we be Mr. Smartypants? Huh, huh, huh? Can you answer me that? Um…solving problems? And profiting from my mongoose, cat, elephant and snake emporium? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/23 "2017-06-12T23:02:57Z")
Okay, needing an update here. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/24 "2017-06-13T00:48:53Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Um…solving problems? And profiting from my mongoose, cat, elephant and snake emporium? Profiting from others snake, mongoose, cat, **&** elephant problems? Do you know what you [are](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Z2MP8vMWU)? Do you franchise? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/25 "2017-06-13T01:31:51Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Then you’ll have to call the mongoose exterminator. \*“When I was a young man I was led to believe there were organizations to kill my snakes for me (i.e. the church, i.e. the government, i.e. school) But when I got a little bit older, I learned I had to kill them myself.” \*–Donovan, Rikki Tikki Tavi ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/26 "2017-06-13T01:42:12Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > The scary part of this story is that if the OP or anyone else doesn’t find anything, the daughter and the OP are still going to worry that the rattler may still be in the house somewhere… And it’s calling you on the phone. From inside! ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/27 "2017-06-13T02:32:47Z")
> **[Contact Information](https://www.pgc.pa.gov/INFORMATIONRESOURCES/ABOUTUS/CONTACTINFORMATION/Pages/default.aspx)** Game Commission regional offices. And you may want to check out > **[DCNR Homepage](https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx)** > > Learn about conservation practices on Pennsylvania public lands and outdoor recreation, education, and business opportunities in Pennsylvania state parks and forests. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/28 "2017-06-13T02:35:54Z")
North eastern PA? Okay, I’m safe. _shudder_ ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/29 "2017-06-13T03:19:12Z")
Yet another vote for calling the authorities. I see I’ve been beaten to mentioning the Rat Snake’s habit of playing rattler. I think, not positive, that bull snakes are tail shakers too. Keep in mind that younger rattlers tend to have stronger venom. It you think you can pick it up because it looks like just a little guy, don’t! ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/30 "2017-06-13T05:42:26Z")
> [@zoogirl](#): > > Yet another vote for calling the authorities. I see I’ve been beaten to mentioning the Rat Snake’s habit of playing rattler. I think, not positive, that bull snakes are tail shakers too. > Keep in mind that younger rattlers tend to have stronger venom. It you think you can pick it up because it looks like just a little guy, don’t! Do they actually have stronger venom or only appear so because equivalent venom in a small body? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/31 "2017-06-13T05:50:25Z")
[Tell them to be careful going to the bathroom](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/animalia/wp/2017/02/03/a-texas-boy-found-a-rattlesnake-in-a-toilet-then-a-snake-catcher-found-23-more/&ved=0ahUKEwixr_68j7rUAhUDHD4KHZDSBS0QFgg0MAI&usg=AFQjCNFDQAUVDxhckH7MdgzL9ZO0D7cj2g&sig2=Vk0gzQSipSc5CXUQHyr8eg). ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/32 "2017-06-13T09:17:39Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Do they actually have stronger venom or only appear so because equivalent venom in a small body? I thought the young snakes haven’t learned to control themselves yet and blow their whole load in one bite which was what made them extra dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/33 "2017-06-13T10:18:13Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > I thought the young snakes haven’t learned to control themselves yet and blow their whole load in one bite which was what made them extra dangerous. Only the boy snakes. (Was that terrible joke doubly Freudian?) ---
**Author:** ![robz2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@robz2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robz2)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/34 "2017-06-13T13:49:36Z")
Well I checked it out and did not find anything. My daughter and granddaughter spent the night at my house. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/35 "2017-06-13T16:39:41Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > I thought the young snakes haven’t learned to control themselves yet and blow their whole load in one bite which was what made them extra dangerous. Yup, this is why baby snakes can be more dangerous – they haven’t learned how much (or little) venom is needed to take down prey; experienced rattlers learn how to deliver a dry or minimal venom bite in defense against threats that aren’t prey (i.e., humans). This is how I ended up with a dry bite from a ginormous rattler. SSSSSssssss . . . ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/36 "2017-06-13T16:40:44Z")
> [@robz2](#): > > Well I checked it out and did not find anything. My daughter and granddaughter spent the night at my house. Glad everyone is safe, but a bit disappointed the excitement is over 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/37 "2017-06-13T16:46:59Z")
> [@robz2](#): > > Well I checked it out and did not find anything. My daughter and granddaughter spent the night at my house. So now check out the links below and find out your next steps. Unless somehow you can guarantee there’s no snake or some other animal down there. That would be a major task in my basement, your daughter’s basement may not present such a challenge. > [@kopek](#): > > [Contact Information](http://www.pgc.pa.gov/INFORMATIONRESOURCES/ABOUTUS/CONTACTINFORMATION/Pages/default.aspx) > > Game Commission regional offices. > > And you may want to check out > > [http://dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/wildlife/rattlesnakes/index.htm](http://dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/wildlife/rattlesnakes/index.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/38 "2017-06-13T17:50:33Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > [Tell them to be careful going to the bathroom](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/animalia/wp/2017/02/03/a-texas-boy-found-a-rattlesnake-in-a-toilet-then-a-snake-catcher-found-23-more/&ved=0ahUKEwixr_68j7rUAhUDHD4KHZDSBS0QFgg0MAI&usg=AFQjCNFDQAUVDxhckH7MdgzL9ZO0D7cj2g&sig2=Vk0gzQSipSc5CXUQHyr8eg). Goddammit, now that I’ve seen that, I think I’ll start peeing in a bucket. Damn you for posting that! ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/39 "2017-06-13T18:24:00Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Goddammit, now that I’ve seen that, I think I’ll start peeing in a bucket. Damn you for posting that! Didn’t you see the second picture with that article? The picture of all those rattlesnakes in a _bucket_? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797/40 "2017-06-13T18:41:32Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Didn’t you see the second picture with that article? The picture of all those rattlesnakes in a _bucket_? I’ve had it with these monkey fighting snakes in this Monday to Friday bucket! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rattlesnake-in-basement/788797.md?page=3)