The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM

Clinch Mountain Man Kills Rattlesnake While Mowing Lawn

Danny Arrowood spends his days nestled in the Clinch Mountains as a farmer. But this week, he said his mowing routine got a bit more exciting.

Arrowood said he noticed something jammed in his lawnmower that resembled a stick, but it turned out to be a snake! Arrowood showed local news outlets that it wasn't just an ordinary snake in the grass, but a rattler.

Arrowood said he smacked the snake then killed it with a stick. Why? He said the snake was a threat to his dogs.

The Tennessee Herpetological Society said the volunteer state is home to 34 species of snakes, only four of which are venomous. Find a full list of the state's snakes here