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This weekend -- as it does this time every year -- the small town of Sweetwater erupts at the seams as thousands flock to its "World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up." While the rest of the state considers rattlesnakes a pest, the citizens of Sweetwater drop everything and throw an annual party for the venomous creature that's been helping to put their town on the map since 1958.

Ransberger, 77, helped start many of the rattlesnake roundups in Texas, and for over 30 years he's been famous for his snake-handling techniques and demonstrations.

The thousands of pounds of live rattlesnakes for the roundup are provided by local ranchers and farmers, who catch them when the weather turns warm, and who consider them a threat to their livestock. The roundup features professional snake-handling demonstrations, guided snake hunts, booths where venom is milked and donated for medical research, a Miss Snakecharmer beauty pageant and, of course, fried rattlesnake meat.

The event also draws protests from animal rights organizations, which oppose the treatment and killing of the snakes. Some claim the venom milking is for spectator purposes only, yet roundup organizers counter that it benefits the fields of cancer- and stroke-prevention research.

Though Ransberger retired as the roundup's organizer three years ago, he still keeps his hand in -- devoting his time to educating people on the proper handling of poisonous snakes in the field.

How long have you been involved with the roundups?

I started doing the roundups back in 1958. Helped start 'em in Sweetwater, San Angelo, Big Spring and Andrews.

How'd you become so skilled at handling poisonous snakes?

Back then there wasn't anybody who wanted to touch snakes. I had to teach myself how to handle 'em. Back 30-40 years ago you'd have about 300 people die in one year from rattlesnakes. It ain't that way anymore. Of course, back then everyone had their own personal remedies on how to treat a bite.

When were you first bitten by a rattlesnake?

I was first bitten in 1962; I'd just started a roundup in Big Spring. I was nervous and didn't know anything. I knew the books said a snake wouldn't jump and bite over 12 inches. This one jumped 14. Guess that snake didn't read the book. About the time you think you got a rattler figured out, they've bitten you. 1970 was my worst year. I got bit four times.

And when was the last time?

I was bitten as recently as five months ago, got me on the finger while [I was] teaching some oilfield workers how to handle snakes. Luckily my wife was there in time with the extractor and was able to get out all the venom. About the last 30 times I've been bitten, it's been my wife who's practically saved me. She's very supportive of what I do.

What does it feel like to be bitten by a rattlesnake?

You ever slammed your finger real hard with a hammer? Multiply that by 10. When they bite, the entire area around it burns like you just put a cigarette out on yourself. That's how you know you've been bitten by a poisonous snake.

Every time your heart beats after that, the venom tears up any tissue it touches. Nowadays, they'll keep you conscious with ammonia and save you with the extractor. You just gotta keep telling yourself, "I'm not gonna die."

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