Rattlesnakes in MO

[Prefect]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'd worry more about the Copperheads than the Rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes will give a warning or crawl off but a Copperhead will just lay there until you step on it. )</font>

I actually do worry more about the copperheads. I was just kind of surprised that the rattlesnakes are as abundant in MO as they are. I have lived in this state all of my life. Mostly in rural areas, some really off the beaten path, and had never seen one here until I bought this property.

Honestly, I don't really worry that much about the snakes because as slapshot said, if you maintain the property well, the likelyhood is less. I know they are always going to be there, but they will be fewer and farther between. The more I encroach on their habitat, they less they will want to adapt to mine. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JPinnell]

Where are you at near St. Louis? I'm a MO native and grew up in the Sullivan/Cuba area. Moved to STL for the job, got married, and have now moved back out to enjoy my hour commute into the city each day. We just bought a place in hte Stanton (Meramec Caverns) area. We've only been there about a month and I've seen CopperHeads, Blacks, and a King so far.

The Pea Ridge Mines area outside of Sullivan has a large Timber Rattlesnake population. Seemed like every week during the summer they'd have a picture of a BIG ONE in the local paper. The Washington/Franklin County area seems to have a large population of Copperheads. I grew up on the Bourbeuse River (Shawnee Rock area) which had quite a few CottonMouths on it and CopperHeads all over the woods. I've killed a few CopperHeads that were well over 3 ft.

If you have a few acres just have a big yard for a perimeter and leave some nice woods for habitat. The snakes will much prefer the quieter woody areas.

- JP

 

[Prefect]

My property is just outside of Eureka down W. Right now I live in Rock Hill (Between Ladue and Webster Groves). I grew up in Union for the most part of my life. Most of my family is around the Ozarks area. I'm very VERY familliar with the area you are in/from. My girlfriend grew up Sullivan and her parents live in Stanton. I'm out there a lot. Going there tonight as a matter of fact.

 

[JPinnell]

I'm familiar with Rock hill. Used to do quite a bit of Freelance Computer work right there next to the Hacienda.

I went to school in Sullivan and graduated in '92. Might now your GF or her Parents? I got my Associates from ECC.

I left the Sullivan Area because I got tired of the commute in '97. somewhere along the way I got married We looked around Eureka/Pacific/House Springs first but everything seemed quite a bit of $$$ for us. So we went for the longer commute. Just a month ago we bought 9.5 acres with a 1500sqf Ranch and a 24x40 Shop for what my House in South City will sell for.

We're about 1/2 mile from the InterState heading towards the Caverns back in a Hollow just past the Log Art place.

- JP