English Culture Videos

Instructions: Watch this video and answer the questions. Then, read the script at the bottom of the page.

• rattlesnake (noun): a venomous snake found in North and South America that makes a rattling sound with its tail as a warning
  – They stopped on the trail when they heard a rattlesnake rattling nearby.
  – A rattlesnake will usually warn you before it strikes if you give it enough space.
• species (noun): a group of animals or plants that share the same characteristics and can reproduce with each other
  – There are many species of rattlesnake living in the southwestern United States.
  – Some species of snake are protected by law and cannot be harmed.
• pest (noun): an animal or insect that causes damage, spreads disease, or is a nuisance to people
  – Some people think of rattlesnakes as pests, but they play an important role in the ecosystem.
  – Farmers often deal with pests that damage their crops or harm their animals.
• threatened (adjective): made to feel that you are in danger of being harmed
  – It is illegal to kill a rattlesnake unless you feel your life is threatened.
  – The hiker backed away slowly so the snake would not feel threatened.
• the wild (noun phrase): the natural environment where animals live freely, away from humans
  – Rattlesnakes behave very differently in the wild than they do in captivity.
  – It is important to respect animals you encounter in the wild and not disturb them.
• give it space (phrase): to move away from an animal or person to avoid causing fear or conflict
  – If you see a rattlesnake on the trail, the best thing to do is give it space and walk around it.
  – She reminded her children to give it space whenever they came across any wildlife while hiking.

What are some of the best places to hike in your area or country? Are there any special precautions people should take when visiting that area, including any of the following? Use the internet to help you collect this information.

• When is the best time of day to visit?
• Should people wear any special clothing, footwear, or sun protection?
• What food or water should people carry with them?
• Are there any animals or insects that people should be aware of before they go?
• Is there an entrance fee to visit, and if so, how much does it cost?

Hi, I’m Randall, and one of my favorite outdoor activities is running through nature, and it can be very fun, but you also have to be careful. And in Utah, there are eight rattlesnake species. They CAN bite; they CAN be dangerous. You often find them under rocks, uh, so you don’t wanna . . . you just want to be careful and calm where you’re going.

However, rattlesnakes are so important to the environment because they control pests, for example, rodents and mice, and uh, since 1989, it is illegal to kill rattlesnakes unless your life is threatened.

So, if you go out into the wild, and you see a rattlesnake, just be calm, walk around it, give it space, just leave it alone.