The Western Diamond-back Rattlesnake, also called the Sidewinder is one of the most poisonous snakes in the Western USA . Of course there are others with more deadly venom, but my interest is not in them today. I am thinking of the Rattler’ because of how easily they are brought down by normal every-day garden variety of snake, the King Snake. Not the King Cobra or anything like that, but a snake that many a boy would capture as a pet because of its docile nature and non-venomous bite (if they ever do bite).  

How can such a docile snake hold it’s own against a rattlesnake? Well… they do have a slight anti-toxin to the rattler’s bite, but most of all, the King Snake is a cannibal. They are more than willing to eat other snakes for food; the rattlesnake knows this. If you pit a King and a Rattler together the Rattler will coil up into a knotted ball of muscle and flesh hissing and rattling, while the King Snake slithers around it wondering how to eat it. Eventually the King will go to one section of the pit and wait. You see the King snake has more patience and persistance than the Rattlesnake. The Rattler will ultimately freak out and flee for its life, and when he does the King is prepared.  

Do you have the patience and persistence of a King Snake? The King Snake will emerge victorious every time. Not because he is smarter, not because he is more deadly, not because he is a better snake. No, he is victorious only because he is patient and persistent.  

Bright Blessings ~ Richard