Grew up in Georgia and have seen plenty of rat-lers up to about 6 feet. Living next to woods, there were copperheads, rattlers, water mocs, and puff-adders. The scarest were the black snakes cause those damn fool snakes would chase you... With rattlers, Even the short ones can be really fat. I remember in the 5th grade a copperhead fell down the chimney into our fireplace and then made a mad dash under the coutch. Mom, my sister, and myself were jumping up and down screaming for dad to kill it. Wish I had a camera, the look on his face was priceless. kinda thought he was gonna just leave us for a minute. He finally killed it after chasing it all over the damn house. Maybe that's why I don't sleep too good...
jb