AUSTIN, Texas -- A rhumba of rattlesnakes took up residence in the state capitol for a few hours Tuesday.
The Western Diamondbacks traveled with their handlers from Sweetwater, Texas to promote that city's annual rattlesnake festival, the Rattlesnake Roundup.
As fearsome as the snakes may come across, the Western Diamondback would much rather be left alone than sink its teeth into someone's ankle.
"There's a lot of misconceptions about them but mostly is that they're going to chase you down and bite you, because they're a shy animal and they're going try to and stay away from you," said David Sager, Sweetwater Jaycees.
Miss Texas got into the act, plucking up the courage to hold one of the snakes.