Snakes!

[patrickg]

Hey MOSSROAD, no wories, mate. We are in basic agreement except in degree. On one hand we have the info on the site you shared (thanks again for that, pretty good info) and on the other I have 2nd hand annecdotal information that the venom is more serious than they say, hence the comment regarding the unknown sensitivity of the person bitten. Anyway, wouldn't you agree it is DUMB to let a snake chew on your thumb? Especially for a period of time, not just an accidental nip, as it were. My 2nd hand info is from a reliable eye witness, good friend, PhD zoologist, scientist not given to exaggeration.

Still, if given the opportunity, I would put one of the buggers through its repertoire as I think it highly unlikely that I would let any part of my anatomy get to its back teeth. I ain't got no Croc Hunter wanabe ideas.

I don't have a big time grudge against snakes. If I can determine they are non poisonous, I may handle them a bit and do a show and tell then release. If they are poisonous and on my property at the same place and same time as me then I may try, if the means are at hand, to cancel their ticket. I don't go looking for them but I don't tolerate them if they are "in my space." I know it isn't a completely defensible position B_U_T that is how it is.

In this area we have copperheads, rattlers, cotton mouth water moccasin. On my property I have seen 5 snakes in 3 years and have killed none. One may have been poisonous (neighbor shot it and I didn't get a good look, may have been moccasin) another could have been anything as it sped away from me through the grass faster than I could track it to get a look,one was a common garter snake, and one was a black water snake and the last and most recent was brown and swimming in a pond with all its body floating not just head above water with body submerged. I was armed with a tractor with FEL(and no snorkel/fording kit) so I considered discression to be the better part of valor and did not initiate hostilities.

Now that their dens have warmed up and I am out and about on the property a good deal of the time, I am considering carrying a snake gun (pistol with fine shot, a miniature shotgun if you will).

I don't care if they do taste like chicken and I usually recommend eating what you shoot but I will make this exception.

Patrick

 

[MossRoad]

<font color=blue>wouldn't you agree it is DUMB to let a snake chew on your thumb?</font color=blue>

Completely!

When I was a kid, we used to see many snakes around here. Garter, blue racer(beautififul snake), hog nose, milk, black racer, black rat snake and LOTs of water snakes. The only poisonous snakes around here are(or were, as they haven't found any in years) were little rattle snakes. Either pygmie or timber(can't remember). The neighborhood parents always made us let them go, with the exception of the little rattle snakes. The parents did em in with a shovel every time, with a reminder that, while all snakes are good at controlling pests, etc... those rattlers were just too dangerous to have around a populated area.

 

[patrickg]

MossRoad, Ah yes, just hearing the names of them brought back memories. My mom is a rabid anti-snake person. She leans toward the, "better safe than sorry" persuasion, doesn't know which are poisonous but knows which are "good" cause a good snake is a dead snake. I've seen her take out snakes with a shovel, hoe, and lawn mower. I am more in line with your parents, not on an extinction campaign for all snakes, just don't want the risk factor of too many poisonous ones near where our activities take place.

For anyone who would prefer to take passive rather than active defensive measures, there is currently a good set of tall snake proof boots on special at http://sportsmansguide.com/

I recall my dad telling me that a college student working summers with him used to have to walk through a really snake infested area of tall weeds on a dailiy basis on the job. He got a couple lengths of galvanized stove pipe and suspended them from his belt likek chaps. Didn't see it myself but was told that the student found it real spooky when one would strike the pipe. My dad was known to spin a yarn or two on the spur of the moment but this was a "for real" recounting.

Off topic recollection: We were driving through the country side with a city dwelling aunt in the car when she asks my dad what those big tall cylinders were (silos) and without any pause he says, "those are the big antiaircraft guns to shoot at attacking airplanes in case of Russian attack. She buys it totally. A few minutes later she asks what are those short little round pointed things (galvanized metal corn cribs) and he says, "oh, those are the ammunition for those big anti-aircraft guns."

Another time we are pulling a utility trailier with a propane tank in it and some looky lou pulls along side (pre A/C when you drove with the windows down in summer) andwith eyes wide asks my dad what was that thing and without a moments hesitation he tells the guy it is one of those flying saucer things you been hearing about, were taking this thing to an army base.

That said, I still think he was reporting fact regarding the "snake armor."

Patrick

 

[MossRoad]

/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Wal]

mbsil,

Truthfully now, how do you really feel about snakes? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[bellweather]

Snakes are wonderful and beneficial creatures (some eat mice and rats). Instead of pouring toxic materials into the ground, I suggest you become more familiar with these facinating reptiles and maybe develop an appreciation. Try contacting a local zoo or ecology center for identification and facts. They may be coming out of hibernation and in mating mode, which is why you are seeing so many at the moment. I'm almost certain they are not venemous. Treat them like bees...leave them alone and you won't get stung.