jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 27, 2013 6:08:31 GMT -5
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Post by helens on May 27, 2013 13:25:57 GMT -5
You know, as many snake varieties as there are here, I haven't seen many of them. I don't think you encounter snakes in our climate as easily as rattlesnakes while rockhounding.
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Post by Pat on May 27, 2013 13:36:30 GMT -5
I have a healthy respect for all snakes since I don't know if they are poisonous or not.
I've read you can tell by the teeth marks, but by then it could be too late. I'd like snakes if I knew which ones would not bite or at least would not be poisonous. Also heard that if red touches black, it is friendly; if red touches yellow, look out.
And if the snake has pupils like us, it is ok, but if the eyes are slits, poisonous.
I don't know enough to tell fact from fiction, so give them all a lot of room.
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on May 27, 2013 18:32:28 GMT -5
My fossil hunting spots in Montana hold alot of rattlers....I usually leave them alone,unless its a situation to where I haven't a choice!!!
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Post by Bikerrandy on May 27, 2013 20:02:06 GMT -5
I grew up in Orlando, catching snakes was our favorite pastime as kids. I've caught hundreds of them but I know the ID of every one of them. It's a real bummer that we don't see them as often as we used to.
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free4rms
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Post by free4rms on May 27, 2013 21:42:20 GMT -5
<<And if the snake has pupils like us, it is ok, but if the eyes are slits, poisonous.
Close, but no cigar. Coral snakes have round pupils.
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Post by helens on May 27, 2013 21:57:16 GMT -5
Speaking of coral snakes... when I first moved to Florida, I found the prettiest most colorful snake in my yard... I was going to try to grab it and put it in a jar to show my husband when he got home (then let it go again), but it slithered away before I could grab it...
It was small, maybe 8" long total... when I described it to my husband, he said WTF, where is it? I took him behind the garage under some logs, and we looked around and found it again. He said it was a coral snake, and it was a good thing I didn't grab it, LOL! They don't have big fangs, but if you pick it up in your HAND, it can break the skin between your thumb and forefinger because skin there is thinner and well, bite you. I saw it a few times after that, but didn't try grabbing it again... such a pretty snake tho, it's got the most intense yellow coloring with the red and black. Looks like a big bumble bee, except for the bright red bands too. I didn't get a good look at the pupils, but I think you're right... I don't remember any slits in the eyes.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 28, 2013 1:07:46 GMT -5
One particular snake is difficult for me to ID in the environment that i must share space with is the Water Moccasin.He is built thick and has triangular head and variable skin patterns.Water snakes are built the same way and have many variable skin patterns.Both common in their habitat.Water snakes are said to have orange bellies-not always.The ridges on the moccasins head is about the only way i know,and to see them you must get close.Thankful they are both shy and get away as fast as they can. They put mongoose on Jamaica and killed every last snake.Creating rodent imbalance.Best to leave the snakes alone. Both found in water and use cover of weeds and litter for cover and camo.
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
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Post by RockIt2Me on May 28, 2013 5:47:25 GMT -5
From the animal planet:
Most poisonous snakes in the United States can be identified by the following characteristics:
Slit eyes. The only exception is the coral snake. Triangle-shaped head Depression between the eyes and the nostrils [source: Mayo Clinic]
In addition to these general characteristics, each type of snake has its own distinctive features.
Copperheads range in color from red to gold, with hourglass shapes on its body [source: CDC]. Young copperhead snakes have a tail with a bright yellow tip. These snakes can grow as large as 24 to 40 inches (61 to 102 centimeters) long, and are usually found in the Eastern United States [source: Andrews, Willson]. Coral snakes have colorful red, yellow, and black rings, with the red and yellow rings touching each other. These snakes are usually slender and about 18 to 30 inches (46 to 76 centimeters) long, although they are sometimes a bit longer [source: Barrentine]. Unlike the other venomous snakes, coral snakes don't have slit eyes [source: Mayo Clinic]. These snakes can be found in the Southern United States [source: CDC]. Rattlesnakes are the most common type of poisonous snake, and can be found all over the United States. There are 32 different types of rattlesnakes, all with their own identifying features. One thing all rattlesnakes have in common is a tail that makes a rattling sound when the snake feels threatened [source: CDC]. Water moccasins, also known as cottonmouths, can be totally brown or black, or can have yellow cross bands. Younger snakes are usually more colorful, and sometimes have a yellow-tipped tail. These snakes can grow quite large. Adult water moccasins are often 24 to 48 inches (61 to 122 centimeters) long, and are sometimes even longer [source: Andrews]. Water moccasins can be found in the Southeastern United States, near rives and lakes [source: CDC].
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chassroc
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Post by chassroc on May 28, 2013 6:12:57 GMT -5
Growing up in Jersey, you might think we didn't see many snakes but...you would be wrong.
We used to go to snake hill, close to laurel hill...(I think there might be a dinosaur park there these days)
In the morning , lots of snakes sunning themselves to shake out the cobwebs...
Sigh...no rattlers...except for some black snakes there were mostly garter snakes and we'd do what boys do every where and pick em up and kiss em and torment them a little
charlie
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 28, 2013 6:56:46 GMT -5
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darstcreek77
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Post by darstcreek77 on May 28, 2013 7:31:44 GMT -5
They found a 7 ft 87 lb water / moc in florida , its huge ...
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 28, 2013 7:42:29 GMT -5
I see that.Are you suspicious?Many are suspicious of that report.I think not, because a 5 footer is about 12 pounds.Estimations are less than 25 pounds for senen footer.Snakes are lite for their size.Scott and Randy would have good idea if press is pulling one. I think you will see some input from the snake folks on that one.I think the biggest pit viper is a South American Bushmaster.
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Sabre52
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Post by Sabre52 on May 28, 2013 12:24:21 GMT -5
Lots of coral snakes in our area too. That thing about them having to bite you between the fingers and such is an old wive's tale. They do have small fangs fixed in front of the jaw but actually can bite a larger /flat surface like a leg if given the opportunity. Can't get a lot of penetration through clothes or shoes or such though. They are extremely reclusive and docile. You'd have to really work at getting them scared or pissed off enough to bite. Scary thing is, because they are neurotoxic, you can get bitten and not really even know it till it's too late because of little pain being associated with the bite site and the tiny size of the fangs....Mel
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2013 13:30:54 GMT -5
A seven foot boa constrictor is HUUUUUGE at 35#. To be 80+ pounds a burmese pythons is close to 16 feet. Sorry bro', no way on this planet a moccasin gets 87#. Jim, a moccasin has eyes on the side of the head, a water snake of similar size has eyes on top. Swimming posture is different too. Moccasin swims head held high. Water snakes swim head at water level. Helen, your snake could also be a scarlet snake. In fact it is more likely as scarlets are far more common than snake eating corals. Scarlet snakes eat the contents of eggs. Any eggs. No venom. Coral snakes are not very dangerous. They try to run away and rarely bite in self defense. There is an area in Mexico where the corals and milk snakes get similar size. During summer monsoons it is common to catch a 100 snakes in a night. Back in the 1980's sinaloan milks were $350 ea. Catch a few hundred a trip and you can work your way thru college. Wake up in the morning to survey the catches and find a few corals mixed in. This story is true and common. Nobody got bit, ever.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2013 13:39:07 GMT -5
You know, as many snake varieties as there are here, I haven't seen many of them. I don't think you encounter snakes in our climate as easily as rattlesnakes while rockhounding. Hi Helen, having collected rattlesnakes in two countries and six states (including Florida) I can tell you that Florida has far more snakes than the deserts of the American southwest. The lush climate allows for more prey at every level. You do catch less snakes per hour because there are far more hours for hunting. In the deserts there are but a few hours good for snake movement on any given day. So you hunt those hours and catch more quicker. Plug away for a long night in the Ocala National Forest and you will see a lot more animals, but it takes longer because they move all night and much of the day too. Thus, your statement "you don't encounter them as easily", is perfectly true! However, over a given season/year you will have far more encounters in Florida than in the southwest.
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Sabre52
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Post by Sabre52 on May 28, 2013 14:18:30 GMT -5
*L* OK Scott, I know they are docile snakes but that's just freaking nuts *L*....Mel
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2013 16:40:42 GMT -5
*L* OK Scott, I know they are docile snakes but that's just freaking nuts *L*....Mel Gotta agree. Thin skin on lips and tongue are probably areas that would be most tempting for them to make use of their short fangs – one of those "Kids, please don't try this at home" pictures. That's interesting info and great photos, though.
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Post by helens on May 28, 2013 16:54:13 GMT -5
I don't live where there are coral snakes running around the yard now, but thanks for all the info on them:P.
That little snake in the pix is about the same size as the one I saw, guess it's a baby:).
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 28, 2013 17:24:04 GMT -5
Coral snakes average about 30-34 inches around Lake George.My record was 42 inches.I supplied the Tennessee Aquarium with a 38 incher.It cost thousands to stock required anti venom back then. An 18 inch coral snake can stick to the side of your leg like velcro.One over 30 inches is highly athletic and formidable character.They are shy though.I got bit by one whilst showing off.Got me on the pinky.It did not get the poison in me.The ranger said that you won't feel pain until it is too late.Well,i had no symptoms so i did not go to the doctor but felt nervous knowing that it is a different toxin from vipers.Lucky me. A 47 incher is on record.I think the rhyme is 'red touch yellow kill a fellow'.I just look for a black nose.
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