Another character was crotchety old cantankerous Mergenthaler Waisleywillow. Ballard was a very hands-on owner who quickly became known for being irascible and cantankerous. Darrin could be mercurial, temperamental and cantankerous. He was cantankerous, bossy and occasionally showed a streak of ruthlessness. The character Fred is an elderly, widowed, sarcastic, and cantankerous junk dealer. He is often portrayed in these comics as cantankerous and irritable leader. Manuel used the phrase "cantankerous, envious, vengeful" in his description. Though still cantankerous, the character expanded with wisecracks and humor, pesky antics, unseemliness and naivete. Wilhelm possessed a quick intelligence, but this was often overshadowed by a cantankerous temper. He also praised Simmons for his portrayal of Cave because of his "fittingly cantankerous voice". Although they're reluctant to bite, tiger rattlensnakes are known to be cantankerous and aggressive . Gehry is known for his sometimes cantankerous personality. As an elderly lady, she was known for being cantankerous. Mr. Alan Slater is sick with worry and has a cantankerous personality. They are venomous and notably aggressive, with some herpetologists describing them as "cantankerous and savage".