Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on May 22, 2011 0:57:17 GMT -5
... I was told that a Rattler can strike from a distance the equivalent of the length of it's body. Is this true? This next part IS TRUE. There we were, we being myself and Scooby, flashing along the road at 19 miles an hour when we noticed a piece of wood on the road. As we got nearer the wood was moving across the road. It was a long bugger, and I was thinking of riding over it's body as we went past, but I bottled out in case the demon bit me. Then the most amazing thing happened - Scooby dived off the front of the bike and started to struggle with the devils serpent. I'm certain it bit him, because it flashed out and Scooby twitched a couple of times. wow, them thar snakes sure are fast. Anyway, I had to wait nearly half an hour for the slipperly thing to sliver off before I could check Scoobs out. Our flag stick is about 4 1/2 feet long and I certainly wasn't going to try and get too close after seeing it strike at Scooby. This picture was taken from a safe distance with zoom lens. I'm not sure if it was a Rattler because I never heard it making a noise while Scooby was pretending to be dead. Can anyone confirm the identity of this serpent? |
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on May 22, 2011 6:25:06 GMT -5
My wife says it looks like a hog-nosed snake.
Lee
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on May 22, 2011 8:08:23 GMT -5
Hmm snake don't look too healthy in the pic. From the head position it appears to be injured Hope it wasn't you who was a big candy assed puss and injured it. Why would any human think of purposely riding over any harmless critter even for a moment? What the hell is your problem anyway? It's either a bull snake or a gopher snake, both harmless beneficial species that help control rodents. I'd suggest if you don't like snakes and can't tell one from another, you just stay away from them and let them be. Or stay in some air conditioned poof palace somewhere and stay out of snake territory.....Mel
PS: Rattlesnakes can usually strike 1/3 to 2/3 their body length but usually a much shorter distance. And except for newborns that only have a button, or those that have it broken off, they have a rattle which is why they're called rattlesnakes.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 22, 2011 8:10:26 GMT -5
Not a poisonous snake, but big enough to draw blood if it bit you. You would be able to see the rattles at the end of a rattle snakes tail, and it almost certainly would have buzzed a warning. A rattler can strike approximately 1/3 the length of its body. If this was early morning or in the evening, being cold blooded, snakes like to warm themselves by laying on the pavement.
Don
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on May 22, 2011 8:59:47 GMT -5
Hmm snake don't look too healthy in the pic. From the head position it appears to be injured Hope it wasn't you who was a big candy assed puss and injured it. Why would any human think of purposely riding over any harmless critter even for a moment? What the hell is your problem anyway? It's either a bull snake or a gopher snake, both harmless beneficial species that help control rodents. I'd suggest if you don't like snakes and can't tell one from another, you just stay away from them and let them be. Or stay in some air conditioned poof palace somewhere and stay out of snake territory.....Mel PS: Rattlesnakes can usually strike 1/3 to 2/3 their body length but usually a much shorter distance. And except for newborns that only have a button, or those that have it broken off, they have a rattle which is why they're called rattlesnakes. An air conditioned poof palace? Is that the Texan way of hitting on me? Are you inviting me into your home? |
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damammy
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2009
Posts: 697
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Post by damammy on May 22, 2011 13:58:51 GMT -5
John I loved that reply!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I am one of those and not sorry, I think the term was "candy assed puss" I go out of my way to protect my speckled king snakes because they kill and eat the other snakes and are non aggressive toward humans. HATE SNAKES
John if you come close to us ken and I would enjoy you spending a couple of days with us. Donna
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on May 22, 2011 14:26:22 GMT -5
Rogue: *LOL*Good lord no! Everything in Texas stings, bites or has thorns and lots of snakes here. Fraid you'd never make many miles on your ride what with having to stop and pose your stuffed toy with all the roadside critters you'd find to molest. Nope, no invites for snake molesters from this neck of the woods.....Mel
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Post by Roller on May 22, 2011 15:19:25 GMT -5
woah woah ... that is definately not a venomous snake ! but I would like to inform you you on how to tell the difference in a polite way ... so that you wont harm a harmless snake ! Maybe the information I show you would help you decide in the future someday if you run into it again ! but if you arent sure because there are many venomous look a likes and many that actually will rattle and not even really be venomous or have a rattle tail ... but will trick you into beleiving they do ...even some will spread there hood when they dont have a hood and arent cobras ... some that will spray you with an aweful smell .... see what they are doin is just trying to get away .. and most of the time even the venomous ones are doing just that too .unless stepped on (so look where you walk) .. basically they are just as scared as you are ... so heres some info and I hope only to educate you a little more maybe on recognizing the difference between a venomous snake and a non venomous snake ... please take a minute and read search.yahoo.com/search?p=gopher+snake+or+rattlesnake+&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35sabre i know ur mad and so am i ... but yelling wont get us nowhere ... without educating first ! also www.bcreptiles.ca/rattler_vs_gophersnake.htm |
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Post by Roller on May 22, 2011 15:29:48 GMT -5
after that then we can yell!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on May 22, 2011 16:14:52 GMT -5
Yeah Roller it does piss me off. First off, killing or molesting wildlife ( yes, even snakes) is illegal although hunting and fishing licenses in some instances allow folks to do so and secondly; John is a guest in our country so be a good guest John, enjoy the scenery and don't molest the wildlife.
To my way of thinking folks who kill wildlife ( not counting hunting for food or survival) fall in two categories. Those who fear animals or don't understand them ( alla fraidy cats and wussies or folks who won't educate themselves) and those who are just plain old sadists. I can kind of understand the fraidy cats, though lets face it, snakes ain't gonna chase you down and molest or kill you so in most instances being afraid is not necessary. It's generally the other way around. It's the animals especially the snakes, who fear you. Sadists who just kill for plain ole fun, trophies or meanness, well that's just kind of sick. Ain't got no use for them types at all. F them....Mel
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on May 22, 2011 16:42:45 GMT -5
Yeah Roller it does piss me off. First off, killing or molesting wildlife ( yes, even snakes) is illegal although hunting and fishing licenses in some instances allow folks to do so and secondly; John is a guest in our country so be a good guest John, enjoy the scenery and don't molest the wildlife. To my way of thinking folks who kill wildlife ( not counting hunting for food or survival) fall in two categories. Those who fear animals or don't understand them ( alla fraidy cats and wussies or folks who won't educate themselves) and those who are just plain old sadists. I can kind of understand the fraidy cats, though lets face it, snakes ain't gonna chase you down and molest or kill you so in most instances being afraid is not necessary. It's generally the other way around. It's the animals especially the snakes, who fear you. Sadists who just kill for plain ole fun, trophies or meanness, well that's just kind of sick. Ain't got no use for them types at all. F them....Mel Thanks for the education guys, but may I also attempt to educate you also? Perhaps you may well have read it, but it never quite registered. It's natural for your region I'm informed.  Anyway, please re-read the first sentence of the forth paragraph. And if your still not sure what it says please ask. Remember, it's not only an entertainment it's an education too  |
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Post by Roller on May 22, 2011 18:13:35 GMT -5
I think the key here is on educating the general public on the visual differences of venomous snakes in there area .. and i see your point rogue ... Rogue was asking for an id !!!!!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on May 22, 2011 18:44:22 GMT -5
*L* John ole pard. I initially read your entire post a couple of times as the first read sounded so darn stupid I could not believe it. Natural for "our region" is being able to recognize that which comes out of the rear end of a horse. Horseshit, in case you don't have that in "YOUR Region". Your picture is plainly posed with a dead or injured snake. That particular species is fairly fast moving and would not otherwise pose for your cartoonish photo, nor would it make any kind of attack unless molested. Nor would it take half an hour to crawl away unless badly injured. You plainly stated you were thinking of happily riding it over and I suspect from the snake's condition that you actually did . All for the glory of a stupid posed picture. Well, congrats, now you know what species the snake is and you've been educated. And us folks who like wildlife have been educated too. And sadly, we know what species you are ole big bold Scooby hugging hunter of snakes......Mel
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Post by BAZ on May 22, 2011 20:05:02 GMT -5
Hey Mel, uh, damn dude. Who shit in your Wheaties this morning?
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on May 22, 2011 21:11:42 GMT -5
*LOL* Good one Baz. I'll file that away for future use. Lets just say I find some folks annoying so I express my annoyance *L*. Alas, I expect some folks and I will never be friends * heavy sigh*....Mel
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Post by NatureNut on May 22, 2011 21:30:44 GMT -5
OMG, LOL. Mel, your familiarity with snakes is wonderful and I've learned alot from your posts. All I can say is that when John was with me, when people heard what he was doing, all he heard was warnings about snakes. Sleeping out in the desert at night alone, I know he's very curious about them and wants to learn all he can.
I've heard you get upset over snake killings on here before so I know how passionate you are about it. You've made me think about their importance to the ecosystem and the food chain of an area.
Jo
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Post by NatureNut on May 22, 2011 21:47:04 GMT -5
My whole life, I wouldn't get near snakes. Had nightmares about them crawling around my bedroom as a kid, LOL. Terrifying. I think I touched them twice at zoos just to see what they felt like. It wasn't until I went to Randy's house that he let me hold his snakes. Not that I was wanting to, but he just put them in my hands and I just had to get over my fear. Randy's got a picture of it somewhere. The look on my face tells it all.
I'll tell you what though, that snake was as gentle as anything. Used to being held and would just explore my arm and was so sweet and friendly. I'm glad I had that opportunity to confront my fear about them and experience that. Jo
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Post by susand24224 on May 22, 2011 23:35:01 GMT -5
I wonder how much education helps, Roller. Regardless of whether a snake is venomous if left alone it generally is not a threat to people. Unfortunately, the converse is not true. The photograph that began this discussion is a less than gentle reminder of which species is far more deadly--and more aggressive.
Susan
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Post by frane on May 23, 2011 10:09:53 GMT -5
I suspect that if the snake was slow going, it had already been injured prior to John seeing it. That being said, I know that most folks do not take the time to even check what kind of snake they have stumbled onto prior to killing it. I have a coworker that says he has a machete he keeps for snake killing and says if they don't want to be killed, they need to stay out of his yard. I can't convince him otherwise because he has lost two dogs in the past to snakebites from copperheads(?) When people have bad experiences, it is hard to get them to change.
I even saw a large snapping turtle on the side of the road today that was flat. Whoever ran over it had to have gone out of their way to hit it. I just hate that!
Fran
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 23, 2011 12:42:49 GMT -5
We have plenty of snapping turtles around here. Whenever I find one in a street or parking lot, I pick it up and help it back to the water. A couple of years ago we had one on a major street that had to be about 50 lbs. Some people through a blanket over it so they could carry it back to the creek without getting clawed or bitten.
Too bad about the snake. It looked like a nice one. Snakes here tend to stay in the woods or prairies, so Scooby should have no fear if he decides to come for a visit up this way.
Chuck
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