Look what I came across today.

[bucks69]

For those that dont know, this is whats called a "COTTONMOUTH" I was checking some rice this morning and she harrased me so I had to defend myself. lol After I had finished her off I noticed her stomach moving, so I decided to check it out and see what was doing it, man was I surprised when the 6 others came sliding out and boy were they mad. No bigger than they were, they was still striking at everything.lol I defended myself again as you can see in the pic. These snakes are normally very aggressive and will run you down to try and bite you..

[ADaughen]

Nuke it from space, it is the only way to be sure.

[sniper]

Dang, crazy and cool at the same time.

I purchased a paint booth from a guy a few weeks ago, and while picking up some of the exahust stack that was outside, a copperhead went right across my bare ankle and my stupid butt bent down checking it out real close. Man that could have ben real ugly, as they also are usually aggresive. Strike first and move out. Luckily no harm done.

[thetoystore]

Nuke it from space, it is the only way to be sure.
i love this. and yea thats what i'd do. snakes are the proof the devil is real

[minendrews68]

See Jay, I told you, you know how to have fun!!!!!
Carl

[6'9"Witha69]

If I saw a dead snakes belly moving, cutting it open for a closer look would not be on my list of next steps!

[smooth68]

I thought snakes were in eggs at birth????
I dunno?!

[smooth68]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Water Moccasin
Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti
Description: to 6 1/2 feet; a large, heavy-bodied pit viper with a large triangular head; coloration varies -- older moccasins tend to be uniformly black or brown (photo at top); young are usually banded with a dark color on a tan to orangish background (middle photo) and look similar to Copperhead, but Copperhead range doesn't extend to Southwest Florida; a wide, dark stripe on head runs through the eye and there is a ridge extension that extends over eye (bottom photo); threat posture includes opening mouth, which is all white (hence the name "cottonmouth"); swims with head out of water;
Food: mostly frogs, but also fish, other amphibians, small mammmals and turtles, and other snakes
Habitat: mostly around rivers, streams, ponds, or other water, but also in pine woods and other dry habitats; basks on fallen log or rock or sometimes roads near canals or water; they don't really like clear open rivers and lakes but prefer to stay in murkier water
Range: all of Florida
Breeding: up to 15 born live in August to October
Similarities: other water snakes don't have the broad, triangular head and the ridges over the eyes which make them invisible from above; no other water snakes also have the wide dark band along the side of the head through the eye
Notes: very venomous bite, and aggressive when approached; doesn't strike as often in the water as on land because can't get the leverage for a good strike, but it will do so if accidentally stepped on
Other names: Cottonmouth, Florida Cottonmouth

[TA219]

I thought snakes were in eggs at birth????
I dunno?!

I just googled it, I am shocked to see that several snakes do give live birth! Freaky stuff! I would have run away like a little girl for sure!

[Ron L]

If I saw a dead snakes belly moving, cutting it open for a closer look would not be on my list of next steps!When I was about 7 years old my dad shot a snake out of a neighbor's tree. When he and his friends got the snake down guess what? They cut it open. I remember seeing a bunch of wiggling baby snakes crawl out of there and I thought they were lizards. I wondered how it ate so many lizards at once...

[Steve68]

I've seen 3 of those Basterds swim across a lake to bite a group of people looking for Shuttle parts in East Texas,

My Vet told me how she had to put two Labs to sleep because of bites, one chewed its front legs off,

[shmoov69]

Ick! Those little buggars are the ones that would creep me out!

I'm assuming you have or work on a farm? Where at in AR?

[Damn True]

Snakes are like senators from Massachusetts or CA. The only good one is a dead one.

[paulk68]

Snakes are like senators from Massachusetts or CA. The only good one is a dead one.

:1st:

[sik68]

Snakes are like senators from Massachusetts or CA. The only good one is a dead one.

There are plenty of baby snakes...

Kennedy is survived by his wife, four children, eight grand children and three great grandchildren.

[Damn True]

Yeah...his wife was pregnant with one of his kids the night he killed Mary-Jo.

Sorry for the hijack.

[SaturnVUEguy]

Snakes don't necessarily bother me, but when you have such a dangerous snake, I'd run for safety

[bucks69]

Ick! Those little buggars are the ones that would creep me out!

I'm assuming you have or work on a farm? Where at in AR?


Yes I do Ag Consulting for a retail Ag Supplier and this come out of a rice field where I was checking for insects and disease. I live about 30 miles Southwest of Jonesboro. I also believe the only good snake is a dead one. I have lived in Cottonmouth country all my life and this is the first time I have ever run across this. You would feel the same way, after you almost have a heart attack from getting hit by one as you walk past. I usually get hit at least once a year but we have a special boot custom made that is snakeproof so basically it just scares the crap outta you. I see these things daily and my little Ruger 10/22 is the perfect solution for them. I have run across a lot of animals in the 15 years I have done this. Deer will scare you because they will lay against a levee in the water to get away from insects and will not move till you basically step on it and then all hell will break loose. lol thats funny. I have caught as many a 3 raccoons in one field, try not to underestimate their size because they will make you pay with some serious scars..lol Walked up on a Bobcat once and he jumped higher than my head to try and get away from me. Its a tough job but I enjoy my time outside.

[shmoov69]

I have spent a little time down there. I've put a bunch of roofs on in Blytheville in the past, all the critters that must be livin in those soppy fields would keep me out of them! Much less the 150% humidity and the mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds! My hats off to you! Lol.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

The only good snake is a one is a dead one.

:bsjerk:

As an owner of several snakes, I find the utter ignorance of this statement to be quite amusing. Snakes are wonderful creatures who are quite misunderstood by the general public.

There are also many scientists conducting research with snake venom, as they believe it may hold the cure for several deadly diseases. I sure hope none of you ever have to become the recipients of such a horrible creatures poetential to heal.

To the OP: there was no reason to massacre those baby snakes. :( They are far too small to have inflicted any serious damage upon you. If you were barefoot or wearing sandals or something, then I can see a concern for possibly being bit on the foot or something, but if you were in shoes or boots, then you really were in no danger from those babies.

The mother is a different story, especially since she was pregnant. She was probably about to give birth and that is why she reacted so aggressively towards you.

In the future, if the situation ever presents itself again, please just leave the hatchlings alone. If you had let them be, they probably would have just scattered away. And can you really blame the snakes for acting aggressively towards you? How would you react if a much, much larger creature had just killed your mother and was bearing down upon you? It is only natural for them to react in a defensive posture. It's inherent to their survival.



I've seen 3 of those Basterds swim across a lake to bite a group of people looking for Shuttle parts in East Texas,


I'm sorry, but I'm calling BS on this as well. 99% of the time Snakes would rather flee than attack. There are some exceptions to this, but for the most part, snakes, even highly venomous ones, choose to escape rather than fight. I'd have a hard time believing three snakes swam across a lake just to bite a group of people, and I'm sure anyone familiar with snakes would agree with this.

[BossaNova]

Dang Ralph.
You sure know how to kill a good rant.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

I don't see how killing a pregnant female snake, and them killing all of the offspring qualifies as a rant. It's just unnecessary in my mind to kill those hatchlings.

You need to understand where I'm coming from here--if I had been in the OPs shoes, the thread would've been title "Look what I came across today--my new pet".

I'm sure if someone had posted a picture of a dead female dog that had "tried to attack them", and then a subsuquent photo of the dead puppies, many more would've taken offense to it.

[bucks69]

LOL GET REAL!!!!
Thats your (IGNORANT) opinion and likewise I am entitled to mine, Kill em all.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Yeah, kill 'em all. Lets just kill everything while we're at it.

Who needs biodiversity? It's not like that's at all important...

But I'm IGNORANT. Okay...

P.S. You do realize that if you actually did "kill 'em all" those crop fields would be overrun by mice, rats and other vermin and pests? The cotton mouths (and other snakes in the field) act as a natural exterminator and help to control the pest population. If all of the crops were being destroyed by mice / pests, you might look at snakes in a different light.

[shmoov69]

I see where you are coming from Ralph, and actually was waiting for a response! But where you call BS on the snakes being aggressive, I got to say that you must not have been around water moccisons. They ARE very aggressive to say the least. I have had them try to get in the boat with me while fishing, and not quit but keep trying. I've seen them swimming thru the water in FL and strike every little blade of grass that moves. So those are aggressive to say the least.
But I wouldve killed them too! Lol.

[bucks69]

Yeah, kill 'em all. Lets just kill everything while we're at it.

Who needs biodiversity? It's not like that's at all important...

But I'm IGNORANT. Okay...

P.S. You do realize that if you actually did "kill 'em all" those crop fields would be overrun by mice, rats and other vermin and pests? The cotton mouths (and other snakes in the field) act as a natural exterminator and help to control the pest population. If all of the crops were being destroyed by mice / pests, you might look at snakes in a different light.

You called my statements ignorant first BUB. I can appreciate your opinion such as you should mine because after all thats what they are just opinions, but you went there first. I am all for diversity but these are evil. Tell you what, I will box one up and send it to you and let you show it all the love they deserve.. LOL Notice!!! ProTouring will be accepting applications for a moderator spot soon to be vacant.
And about the mice and pests we have means of getting rid of them also.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

I see where you are coming from Ralph, and actually was waiting for a response! But where you call BS on the snakes being aggressive, I got to say that you must not have been around water moccisons. They ARE very aggressive to say the least. I have had them try to get in the boat with me while fishing, and not quit but keep trying. I've seen them swimming thru the water in FL and strike every little blade of grass that moves. So those are aggressive to say the least.
But I wouldve killed them too! Lol.

Jimmy,

I wasn't calling BS on snakes being aggressive. As someone who has been bit, probably 25 times or so, by various sizes and species of snake, both in the wild and in captivity, I know that there are aggressive snakes out there. I've encountered many before. I do hold true to my original statement (to which I noted there are exceptions) in that many snakes if encountered will just flee. Most venomous if stepped on or near will strike in defense, though. However, Very few species will remain on the offensive after the initial strike, though as you mentioned, Cotton mouths are one of those (as are a few other venomous species).


I was calling BS on the fact the three snakes swam across a lake to bite people. I'm sure it was a bit of an exaggeration or figure of speech by Steve and so I probably shouldn't even have commented on it. If he meant they swam a distance of 15-20 feet or so, then seeing as how aggressive water moccasins are, I guess I can buy that. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not calling Steve a liar and I don't doubt that cotton mouths will strike at people and act aggressively, but I'm not buying that they're swimming 40-50+ yards (as in swam across a lake) just to attack someone, unless maybe those individuals were standing near a freshly laid clutch or something. I guess stranger things have happened, though.

I wouldn't blame you for killing those cotton mouths that were striking at the boat, either. You do what you gotta do, Jimmy. LOL. Cutting them open and then killing the offspring might be a bit much, but if you feel they're really that dangerous and you've got kids around your proprety and such--kill 'em. I don't care.

My issue with the statement is rooted in the fact that most snakes are completely harmless and so I wouldn't encourage you to kill every snake you came across. Venomous are one thing, but to kill every harmless corn or rat snake you might come across is unnecessary in my opinion.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

You called my statements ignorant first BUB. I can appreciate your opinion such as you should mine because after all thats what they are just opinions, but you went there first. I am all for diversity but these are evil.

I never said that you are not entitled to your opinion, BUB (come on, is that really necessary?). As you noted, you certainly are entitled to you opinion as am I. That is what makes this forum great. In addition, I'm entitled to disagree with your opinion as you are mine--just as we are doing right now. We can appreciate each others opinion and still diagree with them. Disagreements happen all the time on this forum and as long as they're done respectfully, then all is fine. It's no different than disagreeing with someone over a beer at the bar (only we can't go outside and "work things out" if it gets too heated, LOL!)

As I said above, killing a venomous snake is one thing, but killling every harmless snake you come across is unecessary in my opinion. Opinions are often wrought through experience though, and if your experience is with cotton mouths constantly striking and biting you, then I can certainly understand why you'd want to erradicate them, and why you might dislike snakes. Cutting the stomach open and then killing the just-born clutch does seem a little much to me, but as I said if the intent is to rid the field of them, then you do what you gotta do.

I do still disagree with killing every snake you come across, as most species (esp. in the US) are completely harmless and pose no threat; as well as the statement "the only good snake is a dead one". The ignorance that I mentioned (I didn't quote anyone specifically) was with the statement itself. Snakes (and for the sake of arguement lets exclude venomous) help to maintain ecosystems and food chains, cull pests, etc. etc. I don't want to belabor the point, but that was the ignorance I was commenting upon. To argue that all snakes serve no purpose and thus are only good dead is, as a statement of fact, ignorant.



Tell you what, I will box one up and send it to you and let you show it all the love they deserve.. LOL Notice!!! ProTouring will be accepting applications for a moderator spot soon to be vacant.

LOL. Love. I'm sure my comments give you that impression, but please don't paint me as some sort of tree hugger / peta enthusiast / hippie, as that couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm not one of those people throwing red paint on fur coats--I despise PETA.

I keep snakes because I find them to be interesting predators, I certainly don't "love" and coddle them. Hell, I've been bitten by most of them.

I'd actually take you up on that offer (if it was a nicely colored specimen), but the notice you mention would be a court notice; venomous are illegal up here without a license.

I wouldn't worry too much about pt.com looking for a new admin; with the proper tools and methods most venomous are quite manageable. Having antivenin on hand is important, though, in the case of a bite.


And about the mice and pests we have means of getting rid of them also.

You do what you gotta do. I kill all of the insects that I come across in my home and would kill any other pests if I had them. Like I said, I'm not some sort of PETA whacko (I do feed my own snakes mice after all).

[dadto2jays]

kill them all I hate snakes!!!!

I have seen some in my lake and kill them anytime I get a chance to...

[shmoov69]

I got ya Ralph. I thought you were saying that the cotton mouths in particular were not aggressive which I know is wrong. But i see that you were meaning snakes in general.
I don't mind snakes unless they surprise me or are of the poisionious kind. I'm waiting for the day that my 4 year old son brings one to me since he has seen me pick up garter snakes and throw them over the fence, not killing them BTW.
My in laws had not one but THREE black snakes get into their dryer vent hose and burn up their dryer motor. My pop in law pulled them out one by one by their tails. They were (no joke) 9', 8' and 7' long snakes!!!! Now that would make me freak out a bit!!! Lol. Needless to say he did kill them, which he usually just throws them over the fence into the field, but those dudes made it into the house! And he also put an actual cover on the vent instead of just the flapper.

[6'9"Witha69]

Having owned Bolivian Boas, a Bermeise Python, a King snake, a Mojave Green (rattle snake) and an Arizona Black (Another Rattle snake) I will say that many snakes attack for food or defense. Many are very dosile and as Ralph said, would rather flee than fight. Local rangers catch Rattlers bare handed, spray the tail and relocate them. If they come back to where a campsite or habitated area is, then they will kill them.

Trust me, I doubt Ralph wants you to pet it like a lab, but they are very often misunderstood.

[USAZR1]

I respect snakes and normally don't bother them but Water Moccasins are a whole different subject. Those things are really aggressive and dangerous. I've had some very close calls with those snakes and kill them whenever I get the chance.

[69Pony]

I've got a snake and Arkansas story my grandfather used to tell me and my grandmother confirmed.

Clinton Arkansas - when my grandfather was young (1930's) he and a bunch of boys went searching for a swimming hole because it was a hot, dry summer.

They found a local pond and the tallest boy went it to test the depth. He was basically bitten to death by snakes in the pond. He said there were so many snakes in the pond that when the fire dept came out with a generator to "energize" and drain the pond they pitchforked snakes out of it. The boy never made it out of the water and bloated up almost immediately.... Death by misadventure?

[Twentyover]

I know intellectually, that most snakes are a vital part of the eco-system, part of the food chain, yada yada yada. And I can't explain my phobia, it's pretty much irrational- but sankes scare the crap out of me. If I see a small garden snake , I'll cross the yard to avoid it being near it.

Irrational? yes. Doesn't mean the panic isn't real.