Rattlesnake Republic

Let me preface the following by saying that (a) I lived in Texas for 4 years and grew to greatly appreciate its good people, the landscape, and its natural resources; (b) I spend a lot of time observing reptiles and amphibians in the wild - never to harm; (c) I am not a member of PETA or the Humane Society.

Animal Planet has sunk to a new low with this programming. Rattlesnake Republic follows 4 groups of Texas "country gentlemen" as they collect wild rattlesnakes to be killed for profit (skins, trophies, and those horribly cruel rattlesnake roundups that go on in the South, etc).

The vital role that rattlesnakes play in their ecosystem is not mentioned and the snakes are effectively demonized as dangerous nuisances that exist solely for profit. Animal Planet has really missed an opportunity to educate the viewer about these important animals.

The cruel and damaging "Rattlesnake Roundup" was thankfully on its way out due to education of the general public regarding the crucial role that these animals play in ecosystems, but Animal Planet seems intent on breathing new life into this terrible practice.

I sincerely hope that this show gets canceled soon, though AP has renewed it for a second season. I think Discovery/Animal Planet has really lost the plot in recent years. By churning out exploitative, sensationalist tripe like this they're going for the lowest common denominator and putting profit before what some would say is their obligation to inform and educate.

Rattlesnakes are an important part of the ecosystem. Removing them from people's homes and other places where they pose a threat and relocating is one thing. People who have interfered with ecosystems always reap even worse results over the long term, obliterating known threats with their own checks and balances with new, often rapacious and unstoppable ones.

Also, Texas is home to some of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in this country. Why glorify even more stereotypes of redneck ignorance?

Slaughtering animals for a few bucks is just criminal. Scared of rattlesnakes? Don't go where they live. Or if you see them, call the authorities to safely remove them.

Applauding the people who do so in the quest for ratings and advertising dollars--just as bad. Shame on you, Animal Planet!

Eco warriors completely miss that there's a reason catching rattlers was profitable... Because their venom is used to treat people who've been bitten by these nasty critters... And it would seem that everyone else caved to the ignorant pressure of social justice warriors, without putting up one hand in defense... Sad and disgusting... Loved watching the show, because all nasty creatures, who're DESIGNED TO KILL... make me want to know everything about them that I can... I dove with sharks in the bahamas because they scare the crap out of me and fascinate me... Without television like this, that shows you more about rattlesnakes than any pompous nature documentary who's producer and director weren't pimping their junk as "art"... If you really want to know anything about rattlesnakes... This show is like the cell phone cam of real Texas nature !