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Poisonous snakes in the BCS area?

5,455 Views | 29 Replies | Last: 8 yr ago by WildlifeAg02
FlyRod
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Curious what y'all have seen in this regard since you've lived in this area. I've seen one live coral snake and one dead fairly small rattler.
TexAg1987
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copper heads
momlaw
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AG
Saw a photo yesterday of a 3.5# copperhead killed in an area subdivision.
tb9665
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Got bit by a copperhead a few years back in my backyard in the Oaks. I know that they are around in that neighborhood.
AgCPA
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AG
The only poisonous snakes in north America are rattle snakes, copperheads, moccasins and corral snakes. They all exist in the Brazos Valley and I have seen all at least once. The most common is the copperhead IMO although in less wooded areas it may be some form of rattler, diamond back or timber. I have only seen 3 coral snakes all at Lick Creek Park. I see copperheads in the neighborhood and at lick creek quite often in the warmer months of the year.
fcag
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AG
We had a copperhead on our back patio in the oaks a couple months ago.

They seem to take the don't mess with me and I won't mess with you approach. Just don't step on them.
bionat80
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I have encountered a few copperhead in my neighborhood (the Oaks) Twice was in the dark - my dog was bitten and I almost stepped on one - be wary!
FarmerKeith
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AG
We live next to a forest and have seen all sorts of snakes; To answer your question, copper heads are the most frequent venomous in our area, followed by moccasins. We've had one rattler and no coral snakes (yet).

Non-venomous: Bull snakes, rat snakes, king snakes (multiple varieties), green racers, and various water snakes.


We let the non-venomous go b/c we prefer them to rodents. The venomous snakes become buzzard food.
FlyRod
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Thanks this is helpful. Friend is doing a herpetology project.

Kenneth_2003
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AG
Venomous snakes, not poisonous.
FarmerKeith
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AG
Meant to throw in hog nosed snakes, too.

Nasty little guys...They hiss, flatten their necks and stand-up (like a cobra), and play dead by rolling onto their back when physically struck.

As much as I don't like hog nosed snakes, I let them go.

AgsWin2011
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AG
The only good snake is a dead snake.
studioone
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ill remind u of that when your house is overrun by rats and mice..
Kitten With A Whip
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I haven't seen a rattlesnake in more than 15 years. I saw 1 copperhead last year in the Wolf Pen Creek area and also one that looked like a coral snake about 3 years ago, in the same neighborhood, but I cannot confirm that it was a coral snake for certain. I don't remember what the color pattern was.
WildlifeAg02
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Hognoses, while loud, will almost never bite. Their whole act is trying to scare off a potential predator, or playing dead. Their primary prey are toads.

Water snakes are way more vile imho- they are actually mean, will chase you, and then have a nasty musk that they release when captured. (I've dealt with them a ton due to having a pond.)

Please please please give all snakes a chance to live- yes, even the venomous ones. They are all great at keeping vermin (and with that, fleas and ticks) under control.

Animal control (ok, for CS) is generally pretty good about relocating snakes if you call them when they're on duty.
Corporal Punishment
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AG
Killed a copperhead yesterday in Caldwell. Found it wrapped around a bird nest attached to a floodlight under the eve of a house. Snake scaled the siding to get up there. I found a T-post and let him have it.
BCStalk
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Cottonmouth is the last one I saw.
WildlifeAg02
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Corporal Punishment: Picture of the bird's nest-attacking snake? Copperheads are rather fat-bodied, and ill-equipped for climbing. Generally, the only spotted snake you'll find that climbs is the Texas Rat snake.
I'm just curious- because if so, I need to change my snake behavior speech....
Thanks, and if not, no worries.
JR Ewing
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AG
Copperhead in my backyard last year in Estates of Creek Meadows and a Coral snake in my backyard last Sunday that the neighbor cat pounced on, killed, and hauled off...
AggiePhil
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AG
Good to know! We went to take bluebonnet pictures on the side of SH 47 by the nursing school two weeks ago and as soon as I got out of the car and walked 15 ft. into the grass, I spotted a huge king snake. No thank you! Took pics at the Bush Library instead.
Corporal Punishment
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AG
quote:
Corporal Punishment: Picture of the bird's nest-attacking snake? Copperheads are rather fat-bodied, and ill-equipped for climbing. Generally, the only spotted snake you'll find that climbs is the Texas Rat snake.
I'm just curious- because if so, I need to change my snake behavior speech....
Thanks, and if not, no worries.
I've looked into this more. I looked at copperheads on google images and my snake was different. Do NOT change your behavior speech. The shape of his head lead me to believe it was venomous and assumed it was a copperhead.

I took pictures and video with my old iPhone. I'm neither a photographer nor herpetologist so help me identify the snake.

VIDEO

Nest under eave of roof


Zoomed in tighter


Nest after I knocked it and the snake on the ground with dead bird (no eggs or babies present)


Snake
Gigemaggies123
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this thread makes me want to move back to alaska
FarmerKeith
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AG
IMHO, that is not a copper head...Looks like a rat snake.
Corporal Punishment
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AG
The shape of the head was different. Other than that I agree.
D_Wag97
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AG
In the past year, I've seen two copperheads on the walking trail out in the business park by Pebble Creek. First time, I turned a corner and must have almost stepped on it. Saw it bow up out of the corner of my eye and I jumped away from it. Second one was just laying in the middle of the sidewalk like it was getting some sun.

Both times they really didn't move (well, except for almost being stepped on). Pretty docile creatures.
Tim Weaver
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BTW, for all those that kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out.

If you have non-venomous snakes on your property you will likely not have any venomous snakes. Rat and king snakes are better hunters than rattlers and moccasins. They will drive out the venomous guys. If you start killing the "good" snakes you'll end up with the "bad" ones soon enough. Not to mention the metric ton of mice and rats you'll get.

Snakes don't want any part of you. Just leave them be and they'll reward you by eating the vermin.
BackwardsInBoots
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AG
Rat snake. Shape of the head isn't the best way to tell - look at the color pattern.
momlaw
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AG
So, how do I get some of these rat and king snakes? We have vermin that would keep them well fed. Their only prey would be my giant dogs, who may be ok with snakes.
Rossy
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As AgCPA Said only 4 venomous snakes to know. The snake in the birds nest is a rat snake imo. It is 100% not a copperhead although they can climb. You can cross post on the OB and you will get a bit more discussion on it. Too bad you killed him they are good snakes to have around.

Here is a Texas Snake ID picture guide by 12f Mane one of the OB snake experts:

http://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2073728

ETA: Copperhead in a tree. (image was huge, changed to link)
Corporal Punishment
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AG
Any thoughts on how the bird perished? Seems like either the snake would consume it whole or left it alone?
WildlifeAg02
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Thanks Corporal! Most definitely a Texas Rat snake. These guys are great pretenders- they will flatten their heads into the typical triangular pit viper (rattlers and such) shape, and even buzz the tip of their tail to try and mimic a rattler.

Rat snakes are constrictors, and they generally kill/suffocate their food prior to consumption. My guess is the snake was interrupted in the middle of its meal- it does look like it already had a pretty full belly. The snake had killed the final bird, but hadn't swallowed it yet.
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