Bob Recotta Communications

I was reminded last night that someone with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder should not keep rattlesnakes as pets.

If Clint from Clint’s Reptiles is to be believed, and I see no reason why I shouldn’t believe him, rattlesnakes are the most docile member of the pit viper family. They are very reluctant to bite and would much rather run, or, more accurately, slither, away. They only bite when they feel they have no other option. This makes them very easy to handle by people who know what they’re doing. 

Unfortunately, that docility can often lead to complacence. Complacence can lead to carelessness, and carelessness can get you bitten.

I came to this realization last night while I was cleaning my cast iron pans. Before cleaning I heated them up to liquify any residual grease that has soaked in. For the first minute or two, I was very aware that I was cleaning a very hot pan and I should be careful.

Inevitably, however, my mind started to wander and I didn’t notice how thin the paper towel I was using to wipe out the pan was.

It wasn’t a bad burn, but it was a great reminder that I really need to pay attention to even the most routine tasks, lest my daydreaming come back to bite me.

So, no rattlesnake for Bob. Maybe a constrictor?

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If anyone keeps reptiles as pets, is thinking about it or just thinks reptiles are cool, check out Clint’s Reptiles on Youtube. He’s very entertaining and knows his stuff. I think the thing I like most about Clint is that you can tell he really loves his subject matter. He would be the first to admit that he’s a reptile geek and it’s hard not to be attracted to someone as unabashedly passionate as he is. 

He’s like the Mr. Rogers of reptiles, and I mean that in the most complementary way.

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I’m trying, but I don’t think I like Kurt Vile.