That is a nice looking rattlesnake! Cool that you didnt kill it as thats most people first response to seeing a snake of any kind. There are very few protected species of snakes in Texas and lots of different species of native reptiles, most highly desirable in the pet trade and with those that keep herps, and not alot of people are captive breeding the native snakes. People come from all over the U.S. to catch snakes around Davis mts. and around Comstock area. Not whining but does affect the poplulation of the native reptiles in the areas with over collecting of certain species like gray banded kings, mexican milks, etc etc. Not to mention all the ones killed because people just dont like snakes! Like so many others I have have had reptiles of one kind or another for as long as I can remember. Glad you noticed it before anything bad happened and thanks for not killing it. There are lots of people that will gladly catch snakes from around residential areas and release them elsewhere where there is less chance of someone stumbling across them.