Rattlesnake Round-Up
Encyclopedia
Rattlesnake Round-Ups, also known as Rattlesnake Rodeos are events common in the rural Midwest and Southern
United States
, where the primary attractions are captured wild rattlesnakes which are sold, displayed, and often killed for food or to create animal product
s such as snakeskin
. Typically a round-up will also include trade stalls and other features associated with fair
s. The largest Rattlesnake Round-Up event in the United States is held in Sweetwater, Texas
. Held every year since 1958, the event currently attracts approximately 30,000 visitors per year and in 2006 each annual Round-Up was said to result in the capture of 1% of the state's rattlesnake population.
Cash prizes and trophies are often given out to participants. The events often attract thousands of tourists, which can bring hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue into small towns; the Sweetwater Round-Up's economic impact was estimated to exceed US$5 million in 2006. Snake collectors often make large profits selling snakes at the events.
Rattlesnake round-ups have been criticized by animal rights groups and conservationists, primarily due to claims of animal cruelty and excessive ecological impact.. Some Round-Ups have responded to these criticisms by imposing catch size restrictions or releasing captured snakes back into the wild.
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where the primary attractions are captured wild rattlesnakes which are sold, displayed, and often killed for food or to create animal product
Animal product
Animal product, or animal by-product, is a term used to describe material taken from the body of a non-human animal. Examples are fat, flesh, blood, milk, eggs, and lesser known products such as isinglass and rennet....
s such as snakeskin
Snakeskin
Snakeskin may refer to:*Snakeskin, a material that is made from the skin of a snake*Snakeskin , a song by Australian band Gyroscope*Snakeskin , a New Zealand film*Snakeskin , a side project of Tilo Wolff from Lacrimosa*Snakeskin Glacier...
. Typically a round-up will also include trade stalls and other features associated with fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
s. The largest Rattlesnake Round-Up event in the United States is held in Sweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater is the county seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,415 at the 2000 census.-History:Sweetwater received a U.S. post office in 1879. The Texas and Pacific Railway started service in 1881, with the first train arriving on March 12 of that year, beginning...
. Held every year since 1958, the event currently attracts approximately 30,000 visitors per year and in 2006 each annual Round-Up was said to result in the capture of 1% of the state's rattlesnake population.
Cash prizes and trophies are often given out to participants. The events often attract thousands of tourists, which can bring hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue into small towns; the Sweetwater Round-Up's economic impact was estimated to exceed US$5 million in 2006. Snake collectors often make large profits selling snakes at the events.
Rattlesnake round-ups have been criticized by animal rights groups and conservationists, primarily due to claims of animal cruelty and excessive ecological impact.. Some Round-Ups have responded to these criticisms by imposing catch size restrictions or releasing captured snakes back into the wild.