Spring and venomous snakes

[Hepotter]

We are told snakes are cold blooded and not able to move easily when the temperature drops. Well, when you see a 'moccasin bad-mouthing you while crossing ice in a small lake, it makes me want to be more careful when tromping around the Arkansas deep woods in the Winter!!! Keep an eye peeled. My neighbor got tagged by a Copperhead last Fall as he was walking down a paved road. The snake apparently want to cross and demanded right-of-way.

 

[sonny]

He's probably complaining about the weather.

 

[2manyAirGunz]

He's smiling for the camera.

How did he take to the double-aught buck for your 12 gauge?

 

[Gunner1985]

Yuck....good to know. I killed three rattle snakes on our property last year during spring...I guess winter is in play too. 

 

[JKaplanwit]

It's nature's version of the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. He is trying to tell you spring is right around the corner. 

 

[Hoople]

Good warning! Over the years I have seen two copperhead with snow on the ground. Btw antivenom is $20,000+ now.

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Timely post as in some places weather is starting to warm up. Last year while looking at some groups on a target backstand near brushline, I heard the frenetic rattlesnake shake, then saw it about 2 feet from my right foot (wearing flip flops) I backed up, and it disappeared in the brush. It was 100 degrees that day, and this snake was running on 220 V, only saw them move that fast on TV. 

Good post - thank you for sharing. Stay vigilant!

 

[vmaxpro]

Rattle snakes are like birds where im at. I shot atleast 30 last year. Its pretty fun to sit upstairs and scan the rocks out the window and pick them off at 60+ yards!

 

[Rodeo]

Went on a hike with the family in Harper's Ferry a few years ago. The kids and I climbed to the top of a waterfall while mom stayed below to take a picture. At the top my kids stood next to a tree and as I knelt down beside them for the picture..... put my hand square on top of a curled up copperhead. Still don't know how I didn't get bit. My guardian angel was watching out for me that day. Now whenever we go hiking I make damn sure that I know where the closest emergency help is.

 

[biohazardman]

I did not know that they were out in that kind of weather. Guess I just learned that and probly a good thing. Thanks

 

[cea1960]

No venomous snakes where I live! That copperhead looks alot like our watersnake, but much thicker. I once had one slip into my chest waders while fishing a backwater. Freaked the sheet out of me!

 

[stoti]

It's been in the 70's for a couple weeks out here in Northern California and yesterday broke the 80 degree mark for the first time tis year. It feels like late spring, not the middle of winter, I'm sure the snakes are waking up and warming up! That's a fatty snake by the way! Stoti

 

[Guest]

That is one badazz water moccasin. Thanks for the picture

 

[T3PRanch]

I usually kill more rattlers in December than any other month of the year. They are trying to den up about then before it gets cold here.

 

[Guest]

Step back and wait ten minutes and that snake will be stiff as a board. How did he get out on that ice? I've seen literally hundreds of them on the Sabine River in the early spring. Very scary business to walk up on one if you don't see them first.

 

[Kim]

I've seen two rattlesnakes in two weeks while hiking here in Ventura county. I don't bother them and they don't bother me - especially because they are so important for keeping the rodent population down!

My main worry is around our property when our grand-dog is over for babysitting. I relocate rattlesnakes I find here to nearby open space away from homes.

 

[joshuamdavis]

We have monster snakes like this down here where I live in Louisiana. You always have to be on the lookout for them!!

 

[Vetmx]

We are told snakes are cold blooded and not able to move easily when the temperature drops. Well, when you see a 'moccasin bad-mouthing you while crossing ice in a small lake, it makes me want to be more careful when tromping around the Arkansas deep woods in the Winter!!! Keep an eye peeled. My neighbor got tagged by a Copperhead last Fall as he was walking down a paved road. The snake apparently want to cross and demanded right-of-way.

He is actually screaming because his junk is stuck to the ice. A good activist would have put some warm water on the tail end of him.

 

[Gunner1985]

He is actually screaming because his junk is stuck to the ice. A good activist would have put some warm water on the tail end of him.

Hahaha!! 

 

[Bob_O]

Holy smokes!!!