I've stood on top of a den of rattlers before (large rock).....and didn't even notice that they were there. When I went to step down of this rock I almost stepped on the mom who was on the ground...outside the den. She did not strike at me....I stayed on the rock (3ftx3ft)...then I looked down to see a gaggle of snakes pertruding out on all sides. These snakes and the mother remained calm and passive the entire time.....I stepped off the rock and shit my pants. After several more encounters in the same area with this type of snake I found them to be very passive. Humans should not kill these important snakes