Outdoors
Sponsored by

Snake Thread 2018

500,774 Views | 2229 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by JD Shellnut
Bulldog73
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
My closest experience with a snake, and just telling this story still creeps me out (and disgusts me how much of a slob I was in college).

We lived in the houses off 2818 between Villa Maria and F&B Road. It's a somewhat wooded area, and we'd long had issues with rats in the house. The rat issue got so bad that while I was gone on a study abroad, a rat chewed through my dry wall near an air return. I came back with rat crap in my room. My landlord was a joke, and didn't do anything about it. After a late night rat experience or two, I left a rat trap where the hole was just waiting for one to come through, and I caught a couple.

One night I had fallen asleep down stairs and heard the trap go off, but there wasn't the usual scurry sound. Sleepily, I made myself go upstairs to check it, but didn't see the expected dark mass in the trap. I turned on my lamp, and in the trap was a non-moving snake. Its head was under my bed, and I'm an admitted snake novice, but I assumed it was likely dead and probably a rat snake.

Perhaps the smartest thing I've ever done in the middle of the night, I decide to go downstairs to get a broom so I could use the handle to put the trap & snake in a shoe box. Right as I put the snake in the box, it begins to coil and I hear the most terrifying sound I can think of. The snake I caught in a rat trap in my second story bedroom was a freaking rattle snake.

Scared like a school girl, I ran to my roommate's room and woke him for proof. Using a shovel, the broomstick, and the shoe box, we carefully brought it downstairs. We beheaded it (I now know that's a cardinal sin, but it was late, I was scared and didn't know better), and disposed of the body.

I then stayed up the rest of the night picking up the dirty laundry off the floor with the broom stick frightened at what may have been in one of the piles. I then stuffed the hole shut and left a message with the landlord that the hole now needed I be filled immediately.
agcrock2005
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Won't be sleeping tonight...
HummingbirdSaltalamacchia
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Texmid said:

Where was that f$%@#$ng second picture taken?
Couple streets over from my house in McKinney. We are just off Lake Forest and 380. i think a bunch of the construction nearby and forcing them our way.,


And i know that a copperhead bite wont kill a dog, but try explaining that to a pregnant woman whose idea of camping is a plush cabin....
Serious Lee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Badace52 said:

Copperhead bite won't kill a dog.
ive convinced myself that i wont need a trip to the hospital if i step on one in the middle of the night, so long as i treat the bite with antiseptic.

How many hours/days of pain am I in for?
ShouldastayedataTm
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Interesting article on Pre-hospital treatment

Saw this today and learned something new, I would have been doing it wrong. Plus he very clearly says do not kill the snake, even if you are pissed off at it.

Edit to add'
I found this as I am researching the Texas Water Safari canoe and kayak race. Apparently they see snakes regularly, particulary water snakes, frequently of the water moccasin type, so they put this out there for folks to help as they plan.
Mostly Sunny Disposition
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Uncle Gunnysack said:

Badace52 said:

Copperhead bite won't kill a dog.
ive convinced myself that i wont need a trip to the hospital if i step on one in the middle of the night, so long as i treat the bite with antiseptic.

How many hours/days of pain am I in for?


Well, for one, you'll be vomiting for a few days and the bite area will be 2-3x the size of the rest of your body due to swelling. Then if you don't get an infection, you should probably have your nuts nailed to a aluminum picnic table just so you have the most unpleasant stigma for being a dumbass after a dangerous snake bite
OnlyForNow
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Not all people react the same way to venoms; meaning that I'm sure some people could get tagged and go about their business with minor swelling and discomfort but not much else.

I seriously doubt it would make you vomit.
12f Mane
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
ShouldastayedataTm said:

Interesting article on Pre-hospital treatment

Saw this today and learned something new, I would have been doing it wrong. Plus he very clearly says do not kill the snake, even if you are pissed off at it.

Edit to add'
I found this as I am researching the Texas Water Safari canoe and kayak race. Apparently they see snakes regularly, particulary water snakes, frequently of the water moccasin type, so they put this out there for folks to help as they plan.
The dude that wrote this article is the go-to on snake bites.
Mostly Sunny Disposition
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
OnlyForNow said:

Not all people react the same way to venoms; meaning that I'm sure some people could get tagged and go about their business with minor swelling and discomfort but not much else.

I seriously doubt it would make you vomit.
It might not for some, but I've seen someone bit by a copperhead vomit for a couple days.
trouble
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Biggest thing, don't bring it to the hospital. We don't want it.
agcrock2005
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
"Poisonous" snake bites toddler
Kearney McRaven
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Uncle Gunnysack said:

Badace52 said:

Copperhead bite won't kill a dog.
ive convinced myself that i wont need a trip to the hospital if i step on one in the middle of the night, so long as i treat the bite with antiseptic.

How many hours/days of pain am I in for?
I was bit in hand by a Copperhead. Went to the hospital, and received a tetanus shot. Otherwise, they monitored the swelling in my hand and arm until it began is fade. It took about 6 hours to get from my hand to my shoulder, and then the swelling in my hand started to diminish. They were prepared to lance my hand and arm if the swelling reached a point where the skin was going to split. So, I would say go to the hospital. I would add that they would not give antivenom without us having the snake there for positive identification. Note this was over 20 years ago.
Scoopen Skwert
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I've heard several different opinions on copperheads. I've heard or read people say they are aggressive and then watched an entire show about them that said they were not aggressive. The guy placed a manikin leg on one and it just sat there and eventually moved away. So what is it? Aggressive or not?
12f Mane
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
bh93 said:

I've heard several different opinions on copperheads. I've heard or read people say they are aggressive and then watched an entire show about them that said they were not aggressive. The guy placed a manikin leg on one and it just sat there and eventually moved away. So what is it? Aggressive or not?
Copperheads are on the calm end of snake behavior, as are cottonmouths. But keep in mind both will defend aggressively if they perceive a threat.
Tursiops93
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Article today about a man who killed a rattlesnake by beheading it and got bit when he tried to pick up the head. https://www.kens5.com/mobile/article/news/corpus-christi-man-bitten-by-severed-rattlesnake-head/561777006
Texmid
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Tursiops93 said:

Article today about a man who killed a rattlesnake by beheading it and got bit when he tried to pick up the head. https://www.kens5.com/mobile/article/news/corpus-christi-man-bitten-by-severed-rattlesnake-head/561777006
Honestly, how does that happen? The head alone cannot strike. I guess if there is enough of the body attached to the head it could move a little, but not much. I've heard of people stepping on the head and being bitten, but this one doesn't make sense.
CowtownAg06
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I killed a copperhead last summer with a shovel. I wound catching it about 1/4 of the way down it's body vs right behind the head. The "head" jumped around striking for about 30 seconds after the kill. It was really something to see. Even after it had gone still for a bit I still used the shovel to dispose of it.
Scoopen Skwert
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Thank you.

In my experience it is the non-venomous ones that are more outright hostile. I had, what I now know, a blotched water snake chase me for about 20 yards. He was striking the entire time. I was backing up slowly but he kept coming.
HummingbirdSaltalamacchia
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
12f Mane said:

bh93 said:

I've heard several different opinions on copperheads. I've heard or read people say they are aggressive and then watched an entire show about them that said they were not aggressive. The guy placed a manikin leg on one and it just sat there and eventually moved away. So what is it? Aggressive or not?
Copperheads are on the calm end of snake behavior, as are cottonmouths. But keep in mind both will defend aggressively if they perceive a threat.
I keep telling my wife this.....she doesnt buy it, lol
f burg ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Of my 30ish copperhead experiences over the last year, only once did a copperhead actually come at me aggressively. All the others wanted nothing to do with me.

Although my sample size is smaller with cottonmouths, they have been more 50/50 on aggressiveness.
reddog90
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG


Took this a while ago while canoeing the lower Colorado. I was trying to get a new hat band but he said no.
BigHead 04
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I know Hepatology and NOT herpatology, but last summer my dad beheaded one with a shovel in my yard. I tapped it lightly with a stick just above the mouth and it reflexively made a biting movement. It was 5-10 minutes after the kill maybe.

It wasn't that strong and honestly I think you'd have to be a dumbass and literally fool around with it in your hands. But it made me a believer!

ETA: I was doing so intentionally to test this specific rumor and not just poking it for fun.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Mostly Sunny Disposition
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
reddog90 said:



Took this a while ago while canoeing the lower Colorado. I was trying to get a new hat band but he said no.



Beautiful picture and I would have shot it!
Mostly Sunny Disposition
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Today by the chicken coop



ttha_aggie_09
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Looks like he had some eggs for lunch
Mostly Sunny Disposition
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
ttha_aggie_09 said:

Looks like he had some eggs for lunch


Sorry thief took 4-5 in my estimation
vander54
How long do you want to ignore this user?
S
I found a very small solid grey snake in my bushes when I we sweeping up bunch of leaves. I'm thinking it was a juvenile.

I know it's not much but anyone have my ideas on what it may be?
Your Friend
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Probably a rough earth snake
vander54
How long do you want to ignore this user?
S
Your Friend said:

Probably a rough earth snake


Just googled it. I think you're right.
Trinity Ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
S
What is this one? He's hanging out on the wall of my house, on the back porch. Probably eating June bugs.

vander54
How long do you want to ignore this user?
S
I'm no expert but I'm think Western Rat Snake
Cru
How long do you want to ignore this user?
S
Mostly Cloudy Judgement said:

OnlyForNow said:

Not all people react the same way to venoms; meaning that I'm sure some people could get tagged and go about their business with minor swelling and discomfort but not much else.

I seriously doubt it would make you vomit.
It might not for some, but I've seen someone bit by a copperhead vomit for a couple days.


Yeah, but that tool was drunk af.
Qfaced~ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Cru said:

Mostly Cloudy Judgement said:

OnlyForNow said:

Not all people react the same way to venoms; meaning that I'm sure some people could get tagged and go about their business with minor swelling and discomfort but not much else.

I seriously doubt it would make you vomit.
It might not for some, but I've seen someone bit by a copperhead vomit for a couple days.


Yeah, but that tool was drunk af.
Sounds like someone I know...
ProgN
How long do you want to ignore this user?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5815895/Two-venomous-snakes-roll-ferocious-fight-South-Africa.html
Quote:

This is the remarkable moment two snakes roll around in a double headlock during a violent battle caught on camera.

The two rinkhals, also known as ring-necked spitting cobras, writhe around with their jaws tightly locked down on each other in a ferocious fight.

The pair can be seen spinning round and round before reaching a stalemate - at which point Dave Du Toit, who was filming the incredible fight, had to separate them.

The 54-year-old animal lover was in the Limpopo province of South Africa with colleagues when he filmed the extraordinary clash


I thought you guys might like this. The video in the link above is pretty cool.
4stringAg
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
reddog90 said:



Took this a while ago while canoeing the lower Colorado. I was trying to get a new hat band but he said no.
Most of the cottonmouths I've seen over the years are darkened or don't really show the patterns that clearly (except for a few juveniles I've come across).
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.