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March9–11

World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup – March 9-11, 2024

The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup is hosted on the second weekend of March every year in Sweetwater, Texas, U.S. This year, it takes place from March 9 to 11. It is an annual event hosted every year to present rattlesnakes on display. Rattlesnake roundups have been a part of the events calendar in the Midwestern and Southern United States for years, where rattlesnakes are displayed. These events serve to entertain and educate people about rattlesnakes and all the ways they can be used, from food to products like snakeskin and antivenom production.

History of World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup

The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup is hosted in Sweetwater, Texas, on the second weekend of March every year. The event is an annual one and the largest rendition of the popular event is known as rattlesnake roundups.

Rattlesnake roundups have been held across the Midwest and the South of America. In these events, rattlesnakes are captured or killed for the education and entertainment of all the people who attend these events.

The initial aim of events like rattlesnake roundups was to provide a source of excitement and adventure for the young and adults alike. People would train and look forward to hunting rattlesnakes and capturing them for the event. Capturing and killing rattlesnakes was also seen as a task necessary to prevent snake bites and attacks; rattlesnakes were seen as a pest that needed to be eradicated.

While rattlesnakes are still killed in many rattlesnake roundups even today, most roundups focus on celebrating rattlesnakes and other wildlife. Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes with a rattle at the end of their tails that can vibrate to deter predators. These snakes are extremely vulnerable when they’re young, and large numbers have been killed by human beings for sport or protection.

The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup is hosted by the Sweetwater Jaycees, which is short for the Sweetwater Chapter of the United States Junior Chamber. The Chamber is open to citizens of the U.S.A. aged between 18 and 40 who are interested in addressing local issues and becoming civic leaders.

The roundup is hosted over a weekend and comprises several events, including a gun and knife show and a guided hunt.

World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup timeline

1900s
Rattlesnake Roundups Start

In the first half of the 1900s, rattlesnake roundups begin to bring a sense of adventure and excitement to the rural Midwest and South.

1958
World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup Established

The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup is established in Sweetwater, Texas, to be celebrated annually.

1990s
Thousands of Snakes Removed from the Wild

In the mid-1990s, over 100,000 snakes are removed from the wild every year, with no noticeable effect on the wildlife populations.

2006
The Largest Roundup has Great Economic Impact

The economic impact of the Sweetwater Texas Rattlesnake Roundup grosses $5 million.

World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup FAQs

What state has the largest rattlesnake population?

In America, the largest rattlesnake population is found in South Carolina.

What is the biggest rattlesnake ever recorded in Texas?

The longest rattlesnake in Texas so far clocked in at 84 inches long.

Can rattlesnakes bite through jeans?

Rattlesnakes can bite through jeans, but the denim will absorb most of the venom.

World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup Activities

  1. Learn about roundups

    Rattlesnake roundups are exciting events that have been around for a while and usually have a lot of fun activities. Read up on the event so you can enjoy it thoroughly.

  2. Attend the event

    The best way to celebrate a roundup is to visit and participate in one. Head over to Sweetwater for the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup and join in as many events as you can!

  3. Talk about rattlesnakes

    The roundups wouldn’t be possible without rattlesnakes. Show these beautiful wild animals the respect they deserve and talk about what makes them so cool.

5 Facts About Rattlesnakes That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. They cause the most snake bite injuries

    Rattlesnakes bites account for about 70% of venomous snakebites in the U.S.

  2. Cats eat baby rattlesnakes

    Baby rattlesnakes are extremely vulnerable to being eaten by animals like cats, ravens, crows, and small pests like raccoons.

  3. They can sense radiation

    Rattlesnakes can sense radiation using two organs also found in pit vipers.

  4. Dead rattlesnakes can bite

    Dead rattlesnake heads are known for reflexively inflicting venomous bites up to an hour after death.

  5. The rattle grows longer after a shed

    Rattlesnakes add a new segment to their rattle after they shed their skin.

Why We Love World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup

  1. We love all the activities

    We think that all the events at a roundup are a lot of fun. We want to head over to a rattlesnake roundup and participate in all the activities we can!

  2. We want to learn about rattlesnakes

    Rattlesnake roundups are great places to learn about these cool snakes. We also want to know how to avoid them and keep ourselves safe from their bites.

  3. We want to see big snakes

    The rattlesnake roundups usually exhibit the largest snakes caught that year for sale. We want to see just how big these snakes can get in the wild.

World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup dates

YearDateDay
2022March 12Saturday
2023March 11Saturday
2024March 9Saturday
2025March 8Saturday
2026March 14Saturday

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