Ross Allen was always doing lectures for various organizations around Florida and he always had live reptiles with him. These he carried in cases similar to a suitcase. One day while chatting with him I noticed him opening up one of the carrying cases which he had placed on the bench on which he was sitting. Being naturally curious I watched as he groped around in the snake bag which was inside the case. I fully expected him to pull out an indigo or iguana because while he was doing this he was also looking at me and talking. Imagine my astonishment when he pulled a large diamondback rattlesnake out. He had felt around in the bag until he could find its head! At this time Ross was in his 60's and supposedly was hyper-allergic to crotalid venom as he had been bitten quite a few times.
