According to an ancient ceremony, the Hopi Indians of Arizona captured live specimens of this species, using them as messengers of human pleas to bring rain. After the Antelope Dances, the Snake Priests begin a frenetic dance that ends when they capture these dangerous snakes with their mouths. Normally, they did not suffer bites, but if one occurred, it did not have serious consequences, as they had previously removed or emptied the venom glands, although they maintained that it was thanks to a supposed magic potion they prepared.

The horny rings inserted in the last vertebra are activated by the tail musculature, which produces, through friction, that characteristic sound that announces danger.