jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Apr 22, 2014 2:38:55 GMT -5
In Clebourne County Alabama, about 100 miles west of Atlanta. It looks like a timber or cane break. Maybe Scott can tell. velvet ?? All I know is it is a badma55s ksnake. The guy said this was not the biggest he had found in the area. If he is a cattleman he most likely will kill them all. Wish they would relocate them instead. The biggest snake I ever saw was a timber or cane break rattler right here on my property just S.W. of Atlanta.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2014 17:52:04 GMT -5
Definitely a timber/canebrake.
It's the most widespread rattlesnake. Even more numerous than western diamondbacks.
Can't tell how large it is because I cant tell how far in front of him the snake is.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 22, 2014 18:14:31 GMT -5
Good eating.....
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 22, 2014 18:16:46 GMT -5
Killed rather than "caught" I see. I know they are dangerous and lots of folks are afraid of them but I sure find it sad to see an old snake like that one killed. Beautiful markings anyway....Mel
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Apr 22, 2014 18:39:22 GMT -5
Can't tell how large it is because I cant tell how far in front of him the snake is. Old fisherman trick - push it towards the camera to enhance the size, better for the chest beating session later..... Way cool markings. Cheers |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2014 19:38:34 GMT -5
Guess the size of this fish - lol   |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2014 19:43:30 GMT -5
Dang I wore the wrong hat!
Tell me my avatar isn't spot on!
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Post by Pat on Apr 22, 2014 20:37:12 GMT -5
Hmmmm, why would someone want to catch a big snake? @shotgunner, you are the spittin' image of.... you!  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Apr 22, 2014 22:05:40 GMT -5
They don't seem common around here. We rarely see them. I have only seen one.But it was a big one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 16:32:15 GMT -5
They don't seem common around here. We rarely see them. I have only seen one.But it was a big one. Timbers not common on your yard because of all the kingsnakes. They eat the babies. |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Apr 24, 2014 6:15:14 GMT -5
Timbers not common on your yard because of all the kingsnakes. They eat the babies. Read more: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/65385/cousins-friend-caught-velvet-rattler?page=1&scrollTo=739695#ixzz2znfcCAUAKings snakes are the most common snake i see other than brown or banded water snakes Scott. When I moved to this farm 25 years ago it was copperheads. They dominated. And I did kill them. The thick brush and intimate work on this farm made our cohabitation a big problem. The only other snake I ever killed was pygmy rattlers at Florida camp. Those guys are particularly aggressive. I was bit on the boot by 2 copperheads and nipped on the hand once. One day i was moving an old pile of chimney rocks and out came about 15 little green eyed copperhead babies all under me. They were quick and ornery little suckers. I did relocate some large copperheads. Several over 48". And the king snakes are common over 48". Those guys tackle water snakes that are too big to swallow. The king snake is called king for good reason. Cause a water snake is a very athletic snake. But that bare naked choke of the king is no match for him. |
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 26, 2014 10:06:58 GMT -5
Scott,I'm guessing 9 to 12 pounds....
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Apr 26, 2014 11:41:27 GMT -5
I did not know that Copperheads got over 48". I don't think that I have ever seen one much over a foot long. I wonder if they are a different type of copperhead than we have here in Louisiana?
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Apr 26, 2014 13:01:25 GMT -5
I did not know that Copperheads got over 48". I don't think that I have ever seen one much over a foot long. I wonder if they are a different type of copperhead than we have here in Louisiana? They are usually about 2 feet here. The ones around this immediate area are so large. either genetic or good food source Ash. It looks like 48-53 inches are misc state records. And yes, there is subspecies-Southern, Broadbandeds and Osage and others. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 13:21:33 GMT -5
Scott,I'm guessing 9 to 12 pounds.... That one was 16-17 pounds. The largest for the day was 21#. It was wide open fishing for 5 hours. Two fat old men, exhausted, with a smile on their faces. Well worth the $150 guide fee. You guys in eastern Tennessee have the most fun fishing opportunities. |
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Apr 26, 2014 15:56:27 GMT -5
I always ran across them when squirrel hunting, maybe they were bigger than I remember? lol been a long time since I've seen one. I have been reading some info and it is all over the place. I just finished an article that says they are not very aggressive. I would disagree with that, I remember them being bite first ask questions later. The same article addresses the very aggressive water moccasin. I'm not so sure about that either. We used to run across some Champion Water Moccasin in the overflow pools of beaver ponds and they would only try to bite when we messed with them. Water snakes, on the other hand, took no crap. I wonder if folks get the two mixed up? I learn so much stuff on this forum  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 18:51:57 GMT -5
I always ran across them when squirrel hunting, maybe they were bigger than I remember? lol been a long time since I've seen one. No, they are generally much smaller than 4 feet. I have found them in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama. Plus I have seen old adults in many more zoo settings. Copperheads are mostly under three feet. Jim's local copperheads and kingsnakes are both larger than elsewhere. May be weather,food, local genetics.. or all of the above. Yeah, me too. When I have found them they are usually striking at me from 5 feet away and that is how they are revealed. Perhaps in areas with more humans those bitey ones get killed and then the placid ones survive and pass their genes on. The local rattlesnake here when found along trails heavily populated by hikers NEVER rattle. The local herpetologists have all said Darwins law caused the quiet ones to survive and they are the ones making babies. Humans are selecting for quiet ones without knowing it. Yeppers! I have been on the boat in a Louisiana bayou with a "biologist" giving the "swamp tour" and there were hundreds of diamondback water snakes out that day. HUNDREDS!! He misidentified every single one. The one Moccasin we saw he ID'd as a water snake. Fortunately for him he was afraid of the bite from both species and never approached them. He got pissed at me when I caught a small water snake off a low hanging branch to show everyone on the boat. I knew how to grab them and aim the pooper away from everyone so the explosion of excrement that was sure to follow stayed out of the boat. But he was still pissed....... Me too, that is why I work so hard to give back when I can! |
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Apr 27, 2014 9:02:25 GMT -5
I learned this the hard way lol. When I was a kid, everyone used to grab snakes by the head, when they weren't busy chopping them off, and not suprisingly, the snake went crazy. After watching Steve Irwin catch them and hold a calm snake, I finally tried that.
At my brother-in-law's camp up in Nashville, we came across a HUGE chicken snake, not that big around, but long as tomorrow! They wanted to kill it, lol, actually they wanted me to go kill it. I waltzed over and got that mug by the tail and lifted it right out of there. The snake remained calm as I carried it over to the edge of the woods and let it go. I did not have to worry about letting it's head rest on the ground because it was so long that I could not lift it that high. I'm 5'9" which is not very tall, but still, that was a LONG snake.
I realized after letting him go that he had pooed on my hand. Lesson learned! That was some stinky stuff that did not want to wash off. I spent some quality time at the sink after, just me, some hot water, dish washing soap and a large spoon.
And by the way, Thank you Scott and Jim for all the factoids you guys put out(and everyone else too). I for one, find the info very interested and am appreciative of it.
Later,
Ash
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2014 15:04:21 GMT -5
I learned this the hard way lol. When I was a kid, everyone used to grab snakes by the head, when they weren't busy chopping them off, and not suprisingly, the snake went crazy. After watching Steve Irwin catch them and hold a calm snake, I finally tried that. At my brother-in-law's camp up in Nashville, we came across a HUGE chicken snake, not that big around, but long as tomorrow! They wanted to kill it, lol, actually they wanted me to go kill it. I waltzed over and got that mug by the tail and lifted it right out of there. The snake remained calm as I carried it over to the edge of the woods and let it go. I did not have to worry about letting it's head rest on the ground because it was so long that I could not lift it that high. I'm 5'9" which is not very tall, but still, that was a LONG snake. I realized after letting him go that he had pooed on my hand. Lesson learned! That was some stinky stuff that did not want to wash off. I spent some quality time at the sink after, just me, some hot water, dish washing soap and a large spoon. And by the way, Thank you Scott and Jim for all the factoids you guys put out(and everyone else too). I for one, find the info very interested and am appreciative of it. Later, Ash You are welcome! You told a great story! The stinky stuff that wouldn't wash off is musk. Snake musk varies from disgusting to putrid to being shoulder deep in the bog of stench. Nothing seems to wash it off. Because I owned a reptile store this happened a few times a year. There have been more than a few nights wifey made me sleep on the couch. Even vinegar (weak acid) did not kill the smell, nor did weak ammonia (weak alkali) solution. Acid is supposed to work on skunk so I tried it and the ammonia. The very worst musk ever is rosy boa. It's rare to get musked, but when you do, look out! |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Apr 28, 2014 6:39:40 GMT -5
This area is along a 10 mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River that was abandoned when a train replaced the little river ferries about 1870. The whole area became desolate as the train put the end to trade and local farming. Then large portion of the area is under the fly zone of Atlanta International airport. Further hindering development. Threat of annexation into the city of Atlanta has been another deterrent to settlement. Old Atlanta families kept the lands and never did much with it, letting the timber grow to mature forests. It is always rated in top 10 trophy deer production of 168 Georgia counties. The 4000 acres behind my house rarely has a human on it. The animals seem to thrive and be robust. It is a little nirvana for them. Most of Georgia is in timber crop rotation and creates a variety of damage and benefit to habitat. Appears that deer and copperheads fare well in the mature forests here in South Fulton County. Wealthy organizations have started putting in large horse farms, concert venues, unique estates, bicycle accommodations. the south end of this area was bought and re-annexed into a large city called Chattahoochee Hills. It is a town that has a mid-city look and european flare. For each dwelling purchased 10-100 acres is put into conservation i believe. The building codes allow for non-code building materials and disallows cookie cutter subdivisions. Mostly rich left wingers that fly in to Atlanta International and seek retreat. They invite local color(like me) to sip tea w/them at their little social parlors. They hired a police force that learned not to rock the boat by harassing the locals. One of their officers was making a name for himself and the locals killed him in a setup w/a deer rifle. But, I am happy they are here since they have been instrumental in putting thousands of acres in conservation. They are seeking annexation of my property and i will vote yes. So I have concluded that left wingers create habitat for huge copperheads. It is a convoluted process. Serenbe :     |
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