First off: the best reptile boards around (IMO) are at http://forum.kingsnake.com

Secondly: There is no such thing as a non-venomous rattlesnake. You can have surgery to 'venomoid' them, but often times the glands that were removed grow back and the snake is just as venomous as the day they were born. (Yes, rattlers are born, not hatched)

Venomoiding snakes is a cruel procedure that deforms the animal, causes it weeks of pain and terror, and takes away something essential to it digestive process.

Third: Just because it's a pet peeve..... There is only one poisonous snake. It is the Yellow Bellied Sea Snake. That is the ONLY snake that will cause you harm if you eat it. Even VENOMOUS snakes are edible. Even the venom glands of venomous snakes are edible.

Poisonous things are things that are harmful when touched or ingested. Venomous means that the toxin is injected into your bloodstream.

*steps off her soap box*