Quote Originally Posted by trailgunner View Post
Thanks. Plague transmission was my concern. I know it's not common, but come on who wants to risk it. This leads me to another question. If rattle snakes eat prarie dogs and ground squirrels, is there danger of contracting plague from handling or eating rattle snakes?
I'd be more concerned with salmonella from handling the snake. They will carry mites and possible fleas as any insect can latch on and embed itself. Any where PD's are there are fleas, just walking around an area they reside may have you bring home unexpected guest, on your pant leg and or shoes they can latch on to. I know folks who own reptiles and birds, who NEVER wash their hands after handling them I guess to many years of Blood born pathogen and cross contamination training have you look at things differently.