The Sweetwater (TX) Jaycees organization brings this exhibit to the Texas State Capitol each year to help promote their annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup event held in March about 200 miles west of Dallas-Fort Worth in the small west Texas city of Sweetwater. The roundup is not done just to thin the rattlesnake population in rural Nolan County, it is also used as a tool for education. People learn that rattlesnakes are beneficial to the environment by helping to control the rodent and pest population. Also, this event is a huge financial windfall for the area. You do not need to participate in the roundup to be a part of the event. Instead, you can go just to shop the flea market, enjoy the carnival rides, dance, listen to music, and find out for yourself if rattlesnake tastes like chicken. Oh, yes, during the Roundup, there is a big cook off using brisket, ribs, chicken, ribs, and (of course) rattlesnake!
For more information on the Roundup:
http://www.rattlesnakeroundup.net/roundup.html
Here are my pics of the fun at the Texas State Capitol's outdoor rotunda on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. There were 7 or 8 rattlesnakes on display and while many stayed coiled, several were slithering around. I filmed two videos with my mobile phone. They are at the end of this entry.
