Pygmy Rattlesnakes

[wallymom]

We had our routine termite inspection today, and the guy from the inspection company warned us about pygmy rattlesnakes that he claimed were common in SoWal. Has anyone had experience with these? Has anyone seen them or been bitten????? It sounded creepy to me! Thanks! :shock:

[futurebeachbum]

We know a realtor who's (admittedly older) dog was killed by a pygmy rattler's bite. She lived near the Camp Creek Golf Course when it was being built and assumed that the clearing and construction drove it out.

[Mermaid]

We had our routine termite inspection today, and the guy from the inspection company warned us about pygmy rattlesnakes that he claimed were common in SoWal. Has anyone had experience with these? Has anyone seen them or been bitten????? It sounded creepy to me! Thanks! :shock:

Hello my Indiana neighbor! I read the first part of your opening sentence and nearly had a heart attack. I wasn't counting on being invaded by snakes this summer. Maybe some ants in the kitchen, but snakes? Never!

Though of course I don't want them near your SoWal cottage either... :biggrin:

[Beemn]

Yes I know some about the snake. You often will not notice them. They lie curled up in a 3-4 inch circle. We had one lying in a pot on our patio that wouldn't leave for days, but it never bothered us! Eventually , sitting on the patio was no problem. The biggest problem would be stepping on or very near one. They otherwise are more dangerous to pets!

[Smiling JOe]

I have seen them here. The last one I saw was on the welcome mat outside a local business when I opened the door to exit. :eek: Fortunately, I saw him and hurdled him.

[steele mama]

I have seen them here. The last one I saw was on the welcome mat outside a local business when I opened the door to exit. :eek: Fortunately, I saw him and hurdled him.
No pictures? :idontno:

[Cil]

A neighbor's dog got bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake here in Gulf County.
He survived.
Just visited St Vincent's Refuge recently and there was a pygmy rattler there.

[Smiling JOe]

No pictures? :idontno:I did get some photos, but that was last year, before I began cataloging them, so I have no idea where they are located, but I did stay in a ... The real but is that I did get a nice pic of this other fat cat resting in srtike mode at the edge of a sidewalk outside a local business.

[kurt]

Don't worry. The scorpions keep them at bay. :lol: :shock:

[Smiling JOe]

Don't worry. The scorpions keep them at bay. :lol: :shock:This past weekend, someone told me that they had a Scorpion on their table when they sat down at a local restaurant. :eek:

[steele mama]

This past weekend, someone told me that they had a Scorpion on their table when they sat down at a local restaurant. :eek:
Is that restaurant on the favorite restaurant thread? :eek:
I saw on the news a little girl who plays with scorpions in India and they don't sting her.

[bsmart]

This past weekend, someone told me that they had a Scorpion on their table when they sat down at a local restaurant. :eek:


We have a lot of scorpions at our complex. They are usually found underneath the outdoor carpeting, around the AC units outside, and around the palm fronds which fall to the ground.

[Smiling JOe]

Is that restaurant on the favorite restaurant thread? :eek:
I saw on the news a little girl who plays with scorpions in India and they don't sting her.http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/blackeye/lookaround.gif Did I tell you that I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night?

[kathydwells]

We have a lot of scorpions at our complex. They are usually found underneath the outdoor carpeting, around the AC units outside, and around the palm fronds which fall to the ground.

I have them around my house also. I used to find them inside my house alot. I haven't seen any in awhile though. I can handle snakes better than I can scorpians, they scare the &*(^ out of me!!!

[steele mama]

http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/blackeye/lookaround.gif Did I tell you that I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night?
Did you sit on the bedspread? :eek:

[Cork On the Ocean]

I have them around my house also. I used to find them inside my house alot. I haven't seen any in awhile though. I can handle snakes better than I can scorpians, they scare the &*(^ out of me!!!

Yes to both pigmy's and scorpions. Have had several scorpions in my house. Have seen a pigmy walking Gizmo last year. Haven't seen any this year yet but just warming up. I know that even on populated neighborhood streets and pools, we should be on the lookout for both at all times because the disruption of any wooded area will bring them out. :eek:

On the upside, I had an invasion of praying mantis last fall on my decks. :D

[Miss Kitty]

Welcome back Cork! Where ya' been?

[whiteyfunn]

I can't even put my feet down now. The ground is not safe. Not even at work! :shock:

[whitesands]

This is a joke right? They're really aren't rattlesnakes and scorpions there, right?! Tell me you're kidding :blink: :eek:

[kathydwells]

I can't even put my feet down now. The ground is not safe. Not even at work! :shock:

:wub: LOVE the 'tar whitey!!! :clap_1:

[whiteyfunn]

:wub: LOVE the 'tar whitey!!! :clap_1:

It's just for you KDW!! :clap_1:

[kathydwells]

It's just for you KDW!! :clap_1:

Thank you!!! Are you ready for some FOOTBALL??????

[Miss Kitty]

Did you sit on the bedspread? :eek:

:lolabove:

Hey JOey...I saw on TV that staying at a Holiday Inn makes you smart!

[yippie]

Pygmy's are agressive little snakes.

Old farmer's trick is take THICK, ROUGH, rope and lay all around the borders of your lot.

Snakes will not cross it.

[ShallowsNole]

The snakes around my house would laugh at rope. Or, possibly try to mate with it.

SJ's picture is a classic cottonmouth. Scary to have one of those looking at you, licking his lips. :shock:

ANYWHERE you have pine trees and pinestraw in abundance, you are going to have scorpions and pygmy rattlers. When I lived in Freeport, there were about 50 little skinny pines on our lot, and daily we would find scorpions in the house. Wasn't uncommon to find a pygmy on the steps or in the yard, either.

We cut down the trees and the scorpions left. Pygmies stayed, though, perhaps not as many.

btw, before y'all jump on me for cutting down trees...THEY WERE PINE TREES. Skinny ones. Prone to snap off in a hurricane and form a projectile to come in your window and impale you (or at least sway real hard, making you sick watching them go round, and round, and round :puke: ). Pine trees also attract lightning. I get incensed when people cut down beautiful, majestic oak trees that are hundreds of years old, but pine trees can go. :cool:

[Uncle Timmy]

My yard is snake heaven. I see 'em all the time (but as I am right next to Pt. Washington forest that shouldn't be surprising). I have seen quite a few pygmy rattlers, including one that was curled up in my outdoor shower courtyard - I just went into the house, got my BBQ tongs and picked that little guy up and tossed him over the wall!

Ah the joys of living next to nature!

[Smiling JOe]

SJ's picture is a classic cottonmouth. Scary to have one of those looking at you, licking his lips. :shock: Even more scary to see him waiting to strike your feet when you walk by. I was blessed to have seen this one. They are very aggressive and I have seen one chase a guy for a short distance. :eek: I was almost on top of this one when I noticed him. He was typical size of about 3.5 feet and fairly thick bodied. I have also seen a coral snake in my yard about two years ago, and a big freaking Eastern Diamond Back Rattlesnake just down the street. He was huge - about 6 ft long and as thick as my biceps. He was going toward the woods so I let him go. The Coral Snake I picked up with a stick and placed him in a bucket and transported him down the street at the edge of the woods.

[whiteyfunn]

Even more scary to see him waiting to strike your feet when you walk by. I was blessed to have seen this one. They are very aggressive and I have seen one chase a guy for a short distance. :eek: I was almost on top of this one when I noticed him. He was typical size of about 3.5 feet and fairly thick bodied. I have also seen a coral snake in my yard about two years ago, and a big freaking Eastern Diamond Back Rattlesnake just down the street. He was huge - about 6 ft long and as thick as my biceps. He was going toward the woods so I let him go. The Coral Snake I picked up with a stick and placed him in a bucket and transported him down the street at the edge of the woods.

;-) Smiley J!

[wallymom]

Gee Willackers!!! I'm starting to think I shouldn't have asked. Ignorance is bliss. Does the Destin Wal-Mart sell thigh-high fishing boots????? :eek:

[whitesands]

Alligators and scorpions and snakes...oh my...alligators and scorpions and snakes...oh my...we not in Kansas any more Todo :eek: :floor: :floor: :floor:

Gee, thanks for the info jhbeebe :blink: :biggrin:

SJ and twt515...you are very brave indeed!

[Cil]

heh
I found a scorpion in the house during our first couple weeks here. I was horrified yet fascinated.
I think I am more scared of snakes.
What about putting that yellow sulphur stuff at the perimeter of your yard? That's what somebody told me to do.

[Donna]

I guess the development has displaced a lot of the local wildlife, if people think there are no snakes in the area. We are famous for snakes, always have been! Diamondback rattlesnakes, pygmy rattlers, copperhead mocassins, coral snakes and others are in abundance. They were a daily event in the old days, before the palmetto dunes were disturbed. My brother actually saw a sea snake crawling from the dunes toward the water's edge at Grayton, just last year. The pygmy rattler and copperheads are quite aggressive and will give chase if provoked. Coral snakes are hard to differentiate from the more common king snake, but for their colored bands. This is one thing that always gave me the shivers about FL, as I am not fond of reptiles of any sort. Cannot even stomach the idea of frogs legs.

We have rattlesnakes out here, too. They are all in the rocks of the canyon behind our house and are prolific in producing the deadly baby rattlers. Their babies are born with the same amount of venom as an adult snake, but they chew rather than strike. One afternoon, I was coasting rather fast on my bicycle downhill on the road and there was a rattlesnake at least six feet long stretched across the road; it was en route from the rocky area to the creek. The choices were to try and stop on the bike, possibly wiping out right next to the snake, or to keep riding and pass over it. I just kept going, felt the big bump in the road and kept riding until the snake was at an appreciable distance. Watched him slither on across the road and very nearly lost my lunch. I have no affection for reptiles.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Alligators and scorpions and snakes...oh my...alligators and scorpions and snakes...oh my...we not in Kansas any more Todo :eek: :floor: :floor: :floor:

Gee, thanks for the info jhbeebe :blink: :biggrin:

SJ and twt515...you are very brave indeed!


You forgot the sharks and the jellyfish :blink: . We've lived here 5 years and I've only found 1 scorpion in my house--it was dead--smashed under a laundry basket and I've seen 1 scorpion outside. As far as snakes go we used to have a lot of coach whips, but they're gone. I've seen about 2 live pygmys and several dead ones. They're around, but they don't bother you. I do not allow my children to walk through brush (live oaks, palmettos) in the summer because there is a high probability that they will come across snakes.

Oh ya, DON'T look under your boardwalk--thats where the black widows live and while we're talking about pests, be careful of the ticks in the live oak trees.

[pgurney]

Are the snakes bad around the lakes and creeks? The only snakes I've seen in the area are dead on the roads and seem to be black snakes.

Oh, and speaking of sharks, we ran into one while kayaking in the surf last weekend. And of course that was right before my friend decided the kayak was too tippy...and over she went. :eek:

[shakennotstirred]

:eek: :eek: :eek: Yikes! This is going to give me nightmares. I'm hoping that I forget about this thread prior to my next visit!

[Smiling JOe]

We also have Stingrays and Dolphin, both of which I saw today. The Stingray was huge, and the Dolphin were on the second sand bar. They caught my eye as I saw one clear the water completely. That was the first time I have seen that in the wild. :eek: It is a good day.

[beachmouse]

Bass Pro Shops stocks snake boots.

Steve Irwin has shot a couple episodes of Crocodile Hunter out in the wilds of Eglin Reservation, with most of the focus being on the snakes out there. (He also did a little bit of black bear) Eglin's Jackson Guard conservation office also has a travelling reptile exhibit where they'll cart out assorted poisonous and non-poisonous critters they've found creeping too close to human habitation. Since there's glass between you and them, it's actually pretty cool.

The only time I can verify seeing a pygmy rattler down here was one on the trail to the beach at Deer Lake SP a couple years back.

[pgurney]

We also have Stingrays and Dolphin, both of which I saw today. The Stingray was huge, and the Dolphin were on the second sand bar. They caught my eye as I saw one clear the water completely. That was the first time I have seen that in the wild. :eek: It is a good day.
That does make a good day! We saw that right before the storm (either Bonnie or Jeanne) that hit east of us in 2004. There was a small school of them swimming west, all jumping to clear the water. I thought at the time they were running from the storm. Dolphins...my favorite! :clap_1:

[Smiling JOe]

That does make a good day! We saw that right before the storm (either Bonnie or Jeanne) that hit east of us in 2004. There was a small school of them swimming west, all jumping to clear the water. I thought at the time they were running from the storm. Dolphins...my favorite! :clap_1:They are one of my favs too, unless I am trying to catch fish.

[ShallowsNole]

We also have Stingrays and Dolphin, both of which I saw today.

Don't forget coyotes, panthers, brown recluse spiders, and occasionally, bears. :biggrin:

[Donna]

And don't forget Florida panthers, one of which ran across the road in front of us near Basmati's in Blue Mountain one dark night.

In the past, Walton County would have what was called a Rattlesnake Rodeo. People would catch hundreds of rattlers and the live specimens would be piled up into an elevated cage. They milked the snakes for anti-venom, later used them for rattlesnake meat and for their skins. I unknowingly ate some rattlesnake meat at a chili cookoff in Southern CA. Who knows what anything tastes like when submerged in all those ingredients? But I remember all those snakes rattling and striking and coiling up together in the pens, because they gave me nightmares as a child. I also remember seeing hundreds of snakeskins hanging on a clothesline. The Rodeo had food booths where they offered rattlesnake cooked in all kinds of ways. Yuck. :confused:

[whitesands]

Wow, this is so interesting...black widow spiders too and Panthers. Donna, your stories are so well told. I think I ate rattlesnake once too...at a Cajun restaurant. It tasted like chicken, if I remember correctly, but then, so do a lot of things...frog legs being one of them. And to think I thought "wild life" meant going to the clubs for funn :funn: I have a whole new perspective on wildlife now! Does anyone know if the snakes hybernate during the "winter" months in the panhandle? The only "critters" I've seen on and just off 30A when we've been down, are those little green, cute lizards or salamanders. Black widow spiders! The thought of those scare me just about to death!

[ShallowsNole]

Donna, I think Opp, Alabama still has their Rattlesnake Rodeo. Big festival. :eek:

As far as the question about hibernating - yes, they are supposed to, or at least get very sluggish when we have cold weather. But the last couple of winters have been very mild. :(

[Cil]

I once found a black widow in my basement in Denver. I checked just to make sure, yup, it had the hourglass on its stomach. We can't go tiptoeing gingerly through life, these critters have a right to live their lives too, but I sure don't want to end up meeting one in that happens to be in a bad mood.
I hear coyotes all the time, and regularly see a gray fox here, but I am already used to that from when we lived in Denver. Panthers and bobcats are supposed to be here, too, but haven't seen them yet, just feral cats.
It's the snakes that freak me out.
What's that saying about color and venomous snakes?
If it's black, you're all right, Jack.
If it's red, you're dead, Fred.
Something like that.

[Smiling JOe]

As long as you are mentioning spiders, we also have the Brown Recluse, which I find on occasion, but fortunately, unlike a friend of mine, we don't have Crocodiles, Monkeys, and Cobras.

[whitesands]

Cil, I think you've put it in perfect perspective...we can't tiptoe gingerly through life. Btw, we were through Port St. Joe earlier this year...a beautiful, beautiful spot :cool: ShallowsNole...I hear your warning...well, I could wish for a colder winter...mmmm...nope...we'll take the critters...and whatever weather we get for that matter...ShallowsNole and SJ...brown recluse :eek: ...I've seen a documentary on that critter...nasty...SJ...Crocodiles, Monkeys and Cobras...oh my! We really do live in a wondrous world :wub: I feel fortunate to be able to see at least some of it...and to hear about the wildlife on/around/off 30A. Y'all are such great people! :wub:

[Miss Kitty]

Don't forget the dunecrashers and trashers. Human wildlife.

[Cheering472]

Don't forget the dunecrashers and trashers. Human wildlife.

This would include my ex-husband. :D

[Uncle Timmy]

And don't forget Florida panthers, one of which ran across the road in front of us near Basmati's in Blue Mountain one dark night.


Donna, when was this? In the past few years?

I live near Basmati's next to the state forest and have always wondered if there were any panthers left roaming the area from time to time.

[wintersbk]

Info on pygmy rattlesnakes

http://www.herpsofnc.org/herps_of_NC/snakes/Sis_mil.html

:biggrin:

[whitesands]

Don't forget the dunecrashers and trashers. Human wildlife.

Yes, Ms. Kitty...human wildlife can be the worst of all! Some people just don't get it at all :bang:

[beachmouse]

We've seen bobcat tracks in the sand at Topsail Hill SP a couple of times in recent years.

Also saw a road kill black bear on FL 20 just east of Choctaw Beach last fall. The bears will occasionally get pretty far into civilization. A couple years back, one of them developed a taste for Krystal Burgers, and had to be trapped and relocated to a state forest in the Big Bend (where they send all the bad, bad bears) because he wouldn't stop dumpster-diving at the Krystal by Santa Rosa Mall.

[Rita]

heh
I found a scorpion in the house during our first couple weeks here. I was horrified yet fascinated.
I think I am more scared of snakes.
What about putting that yellow sulphur stuff at the perimeter of your yard? That's what somebody told me to do.

Some peeps who live in the country here use it around their homes and under porches/crawl spaces. (Can get "soil sulphur" for this.)
I put it around our foundation once a year.

.

[Rita]

Bass Pro Shops stocks snake boots. ....................................
:lolabove: Won't work! These snakes are trained well!

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/gulfwindsway/snake_school.jpg


Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake. - WC Fields

[ShallowsNole]

As long as you are mentioning spiders, we also have the Brown Recluse, which I find on occasion, but fortunately, unlike a friend of mine, we don't have Crocodiles, Monkeys, and Cobras.

We do have what the older folks call "spreading adders," which try to act like a cobra and will play dead if spreading its neck and hissing and spitting doesn't scare you off. Many folks say they are poisonous, but I think this is actually the Eastern hognose, which isn't poisonous but puts on a show to make you think it is.

If you see one, don't pick it up *just in case.* :blink:

[beachmouse]

At least these guys haven't made it that far north:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/BREAKINGNEWS/60602012/1086

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — One minute, the 6-foot, 2-inch Nile monitor lizard was anticipating a tasty meal of raw, smelly chicken scraps.

The next, the door swung closed behind it, and the exotic reptile — estimated to be the second-largest ever captured in the city — was a statistic in Cape Coral’s effort to erase its current distinction as holding the largest population of the 4- to 7-foot lizards in the United States.

[Tom@BV]

When I visited last month one of the locals told me they call these snakes "two steppers". They hid in the trees and drop down and bite. Two steps and your in heaven or hell :eek:

[kurt]

When I visited last month one of the locals told me they call these snakes "two steppers". They hid in the trees and drop down and bite. Two steps and your in heaven or hell :eek:

Pygmy rattlers are not considered deadly, and I've never heard of any rattler climbing trees. Did you mean a different snake?

[Paula]

That's what I read, too, Kurt, in most cases. If I or anyone I knew was bitten by a snake, spider, or whatever, I'd just get them or myself to one of the local doctors and hospitals to check it out. In most cases it would be fine, but it's good to check. Every now and then someone could have a bad reaction. We have some good doctors along 30A and I'm assuming they're familiar with the different kinds of bites people can get in the area -- I hope they are. We keep the phone numbers to physicans and hospitals at our cottages on the fridge or by the phone just in case guests need them.

[SlowMovin]

I am not a herpetologist so don't take this as gold-plated gospel, but I have read that none of the North American poisonous snakes (copperheads, moccasins, rattlesnakes and coral snakes) climb trees.

A number of non-poisonous snakes do. Including pine snakes and rat snakes which are some of the most common ones you see around here. We have one that has shown up in our backyard twice over a one-year period. He climbs a small oak and wraps himself around our birdfeeder, waiting for dinner. It's kind of a combination birdfeeder/snakefeeder to paraphrase Tim Allen.

The banded water snake looks remarkably like a cross between a copperhead and a moccasin. I shot a whole bunch of them in our backyard one year before I learned to tell the difference. They are very aggressive and they do climb trees but they are not poisonous. The bite can become infected though.

[Tom@BV]

When I posted my message about two stepper snakes (by a local). I did it with a chuckle & tounge in cheek message. I know Pygmy Rattlesnakes don't climb trees. The local probably wanted us to go home & scare the wife. Wife now has lots of big brimed hats. Guess I should tip the locals a little better than 15% in So-Wal.

[Franny]

Info on pygmy rattlesnakes

http://www.herpsofnc.org/herps_of_NC/snakes/Sis_mil.html

:biggrin:
Oh my gosh!! :eek: That is the snake that was on my screened back porch last week!! The red one!! Well at least we know now, but I'm not going back there!

[InletBchDweller]

Just read this thread, Have quite a story about pygmies.....

My daughter (little IBD) was bitten by a pygmy rattler when she was 3. :eek: She was at my moms house over by camp creek golf course. Got her to Hospital in PC, Sacred heart did not have or did not have enough anti-venom at the time. We ended up not needing any of it at all....she was in the Hospital for 1 week. She lost the very tip end of her middle left finger. After some reconstructive surgery she is ok. Finger is a little altered. She thought the snake was "cute" b/c it was so small and so she bent down to the snake to show it her toy...so tell your youngsters that it is not a toy...We have also seen pygmys here in Inlet as well .They do blend in with nature very well and being small makes them more dangerous b/c you can not see them as well...

[KISH7374]

I just heard a story about the scorpions. My neighbor across the street recieved a planted cactus from her neice in Arizona. It was about 8 inches high and 3 or 4 inches around. my neighbor's daughter and my neighbor were admiring the cactus yesterday when it began to vibrate and shake. They immediatly called the florist to fing out what they could tell them. The florist told them go get out of the house as soon as possible and the florist would call an exterminator. It seems the cactus was loaded with scorpion eggs and they were statring to hatch. By the time the exterminator arrived the cactus had exploded and the little scorpions were all over the house. They will not be able to get back into the house until tomorrow. I have never heard of this and especially not up north.

[Rita]

I just heard a story about the scorpions. My neighbor across the street recieved a planted cactus from her neice in Arizona. It was about 8 inches high and 3 or 4 inches around. my neighbor's daughter and my neighbor were admiring the cactus yesterday when it began to vibrate and shake. They immediatly called the florist to fing out what they could tell them. The florist told them go get out of the house as soon as possible and the florist would call an exterminator. It seems the cactus was loaded with scorpion eggs and they were statring to hatch. By the time the exterminator arrived the cactus had exploded and the little scorpions were all over the house. They will not be able to get back into the house until tomorrow. I have never heard of this and especially not up north.

Wow, KISH - What an interesting story!
:eek:

.

[KISH7374]

Really sounds like it could have been one of those urban myths. If I hadn't seen it myself I would not have believed it. I spoke to a cousin out in Las Vegas and he said that the scorpions burrow into the cactus to lay their eggs because it is cool and when they hatch they have some water and food to live on.

[Smiling JOe]

I just heard a story about the scorpions. My neighbor across the street recieved a planted cactus from her neice in Arizona. It was about 8 inches high and 3 or 4 inches around. my neighbor's daughter and my neighbor were admiring the cactus yesterday when it began to vibrate and shake. They immediatly called the florist to fing out what they could tell them. The florist told them go get out of the house as soon as possible and the florist would call an exterminator. It seems the cactus was loaded with scorpion eggs and they were statring to hatch. By the time the exterminator arrived the cactus had exploded and the little scorpions were all over the house. They will not be able to get back into the house until tomorrow. I have never heard of this and especially not up north.I am calling BS on this one since I read this in an email over a year ago, almost word for word.

Who knows the name of the site for searching internet myths?

Edit: Sorry, I am incorrect. The story was almost identical. In my email, the scorpions were tarantulas. :D Here is a link (http://www.snopes.com/horrors/insects/cactus.htm)to the stories on snopes.com

A shorter version:
My cousin claims that she knew a women, through a close friend, who had been vacationing in Arizona. She decided to dig up a cactus to take home with her. When she arrived home she potted her new cactus and placed it in her living room. She was admiring it one morning only to find that the cactus was "breathing". Puzzled, the women called the local branch of the Dept of Agriculture in her area. She was told to shut all windows and doors and get out of the house immediately. It turns out the cactus had baby tarantulas inside and burst open just a few moments after the women escaped unharmed.

[KISH7374]

Hey, what can I tell you SJ. My wife was there when the exterminator arrived and I was there when they were cleaning out the house.

[Smiling JOe]

Hey, what can I tell you SJ. My wife was there when the exterminator arrived and I was there when they were cleaning out the house.

If your wife witnessed it, that is good enough for me. Isn't it crazy/wierd how close the two stories are?

I guess there is good reason in some of the laws preventing the importing of plants/produce/and animals.

[steele mama]

Just read this thread, Have quite a story about pygmies.....

My daughter (little IBD) was bitten by a pygmy rattler when she was 3. :eek: She was at my moms house over by camp creek golf course. Got her to Hospital in PC, Sacred heart did not have or did not have enough anti-venom at the time. We ended up not needing any of it at all....she was in the Hospital for 1 week. She lost the very tip end of her middle left finger. After some reconstructive surgery she is ok. Finger is a little altered. She thought the snake was "cute" b/c it was so small and so she bent down to the snake to show it her toy...so tell your youngsters that it is not a toy...We have also seen pygmys here in Inlet as well .They do blend in with nature very well and being small makes them more dangerous b/c you can not see them as well...
That is very scary! In all my 52 years at Grayton, I have never seen or heard tell of the Pygmy's until this thread. I guess we have been fortunate! I have seen several other critters but not that one. As adventursome as I was when I was little, I'm surprised I didn't get bitten. Actually, I'm surprised I survived at all.:shock:

[shell seeker]

I say the best snake is a dead snake! :eek:

[pokey]

I say the best snake is a dead snake! :eek:

I second that! :eek: :eek: I can handle bugs, mice, and alligators, but snakes make my stomach turn; even pictures have that affect on me :oops:

[gilesdad]

Here is the link for Urban Legends dealing with scorpions in cacti.
I think a bluff has been called. :roll:

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/insects/cactus.htm

But if it actually did happen Kish should get as much media involved as possible. Because this is a story that's Too Good To Be True! :scratch:

[Smiling JOe]

Here is the link for Urban Legends dealing with scorpions in cacti.
I think a bluff has been called. :roll:

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/insects/cactus.htm

But if it actually did happen Kish should get as much media involved as possible. Because this is a story that's Too Good To Be True! :scratch:
Go back and read post # 68 & 69.;-)

[Cil]

Or #67.

This link offers some interesting information about critters that live in cactus.
It mentions both scorpions and pseudoscorpions hanging out in the saguaro.

insects and the saguaro (www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_insects_saguaro_new.html)

FWIW:
I used to spend a lot of time at a Denver nursery, buying houseplants and such. There were a couple of different times when a plant I bought had one of those little green frogs on it. Critters can sometimes hitch a ride.

edited to add: that story really freaked me out! I got a strong visual with the phrase "vibrate and shake." Ewww.

[SBilliter]

http://static.flickr.com/56/150189426_fd8e0c8b76_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87418376@N00/150189426/)

[FLSunChaser]

That is EXACTLY the snake that my husband found in our garage last Thursday. It actually got caught in one of his casting nets, so it was pretty easy to kill it. My husband made sure to show it to me so I knew what it looked like just in case I ever came across another one. How scary though for it to be in our garage - I don't even like going out there anymore!


http://static.flickr.com/56/150189426_fd8e0c8b76_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87418376@N00/150189426/)

[SBilliter]

Go to Flickr.com and type in pygmy rattlesnake for more pics...We do not have that variety here in Kentucky...but we do have rattlers...and most commonly copperheads...but our newest nuisance has become the ever growing black bear population in the hills and mountains behind our house....eeekkkkkkeee....

Hope I do not run into any of those critters when we visit Fla in July

[Tatertot]

Okay, so now that we've established there are snakes everywhere down here...how do we keep them out of our houses and yards? My exterminator last weeks said the only thing he knew of was to put moth balls around the outside of the house, but that STINKS up my whole yard. Anyone know any other remedies for snakes?

I'm also curious how to keep those darn lizards out of my kitchen and living room. They keep getting in my house somehow when I let the dog out and they're impossible to get back outside. Any ideas on how to get them away from my house? :idontno:

many thanks for any suggestions! :clap_1:

[SBilliter]

Okay, so now that we've established there are snakes everywhere down here...how do we keep them out of our houses and yards? My exterminator last weeks said the only thing he knew of was to put moth balls around the outside of the house, but that STINKS up my whole yard. Anyone know any other remedies for snakes?

I'm also curious how to keep those darn lizards out of my kitchen and living room. They keep getting in my house somehow when I let the dog out and they're impossible to get back outside. Any ideas on how to get them away from my house? :idontno:

many thanks for any suggestions! :clap_1:

Moth Balls is a suggestion I have gotten too, here in Kentucky...you can also buy a product at your local hardward called snake away but it does not work on all snakes and in the case you encircle a snake, guess what? You have built a perimeter around your house and the snake won't leave...otherwise keep your weeds and grass cut low and watch out!!

If anyone else has a suggestion, please please let me know...I am scared to death of snakes...

[Smiling JOe]

Okay, so now that we've established there are snakes everywhere down here...how do we keep them out of our houses and yards? My exterminator last weeks said the only thing he knew of was to put moth balls around the outside of the house, but that STINKS up my whole yard. Anyone know any other remedies for snakes?

I'm also curious how to keep those darn lizards out of my kitchen and living room. They keep getting in my house somehow when I let the dog out and they're impossible to get back outside. Any ideas on how to get them away from my house? :idontno:

many thanks for any suggestions! :clap_1:The lizards are running from the snakes. One way to get rid of the snakes is to iliiminate all of its food and water sources. Walton County Mosquito control is working on taking care of that for us by widespread aerial spraying of poisons as well as using truck sprayers which run up and down the streets spraying toxins into our air. :bang:

Until the poison spray kills everything, moth balls do keep away the snakes. Not sure if they repel the food sources too, or just the snakes. They probably repel everything in their path, including me. Other than moth balls, keeping pigs in the yard also works. Pigs will kill the snakes for you. I really think the moth balls probably smell better than pig urine, but that may be a personal preference of mine and not universal. :idontno: Best scenerio is live with nature. I keep the spiders around the house because they eat the roaches. ;-) The snakes help to maintain balance too. I know many of you have fear of snakes. I do too. However, I am proof that one can live with the fear and embrace them being alive in my yard. When I do occasionally find a poisonous one in my yard, I will relocate it down the street in a place better suited for it an me and my dawgs, but killing them is very unnecessary and shallow-minded on our part. Just watch a few episodes of Jeff Gorwin (or whatever his name is) and you will learn how you too can capture and relocate snakes. I just use his ideas as guidelines. I never pick them up with my hand. It is easy to scoop them into a bucket or trashcan and haul them down the street into the woods. Try it. You may surprise yourself.

[30A Skunkape]

I think the moth ball plan is flawed-they are napthalene which is toxic. This sounds like a solution that has been handed down by the oldtimers but probably doesn't work. Joe is right, the snakes are coming to the house because that is where the food is. If you have mice, you have snakes. Which flows well into my big question-why is eveyone just killing these things? I understand getting upset if they are on your porch or in your house, but honestly, just seeing a snake and bashing it to death with a shovel is incredibly short sighted. Not only do they keep the varmints under control, THEY WERE HERE FIRST! So, if you bash snake brains, don't get mad about sea turtle nests getting plowed or manatees getting buzzed by boats-all instances of human hubris! :(

[Smiling JOe]

The snakes I see around my yard (typically Black Racers) enjoy eating the cute Frogs, Anoles and Skinks of which I post photos. I have seen them in the mouth. :eek: Just a part of life and death. I have often seen the Anoles eating Honey Bees. It is just a big cycle. The Frogs eat the insects, which are now being killed off by the man in the Poison Truck. Etc. Once we take something out of the loop without replacing it, there are widespread effects. We have to wake up and smell the coffee. Learn to fit into nature rather than attempting to make nature fit into your world. ;-)

Yes, mothballs are highly toxic.

[Tatertot]

I hear what your all saying, but I still don't want any of those things in my house (I don't care WHO was here first!) And I would never hesitate to kill a snake, especially with dogs and children in the yard. I'm just looking for some other ways to keep them at bay.

I've never heard of any sure fire ways, and there may not be any. I was just curious. :idontno:

[Smiling JOe]

I hear what your all saying, but I still don't want any of those things in my house (I don't care WHO was here first!) And I would never hesitate to kill a snake, especially with dogs and children in the yard. I'm just looking for some other ways to keep them at bay.

I've never heard of any sure fire ways, and there may not be any. I was just curious. :idontno:Tater, I acknowledge your fear and concern of a poisonous snake biting you guys or your pets. It is valid. However, there are other ways to handle it without incident.

The first thing you can do is to educate yourself on poisonous snakes found in your region. There may be different markings on similar snakes, or similar markings on very different snakes. The easy part is that there aren't many to remember around the US. My dad used to kill anything he didn't understand, so he would kill a non-poisonous Chicken Snake (for what? to protect the family and dogs?:bang:) If you kill all snakes in your yard, you are doing so out of your own ignorance. Educate yourself and help make the world even more beautiful. :D

[Tatertot]

I've never been referred to as ignorant on this board before, and I usually try to censure my posts, so that kind of thing doesn't happen. :bang: I'll be more careful what I type in the future. Thanks for the suggestion, SJ.

[30A Skunkape]

There is no sure fire way to keep snakes out of your yard. Snake repellant is a waste of $$$. If you really want them to keep away, minimize the amount of ground cover. They love woodpiles, stones, leaf piles, etc. They don't want to end up like that snake on the Mexican flag! :floor:

[Smiling JOe]

I've never been referred to as ignorant on this board before, and I usually try to censure my posts, so that kind of thing doesn't happen. :bang: I'll be more careful what I type in the future. Thanks for the suggestion, SJ.Tater, I use the word ignorant only to mean uninformed or uneducated in the identification of snakes. Nothing more. I am just encouraging you to learn about the potentially dangerous snakes in your area. There is a difference and the non-poisonous ones pose zero threat to you and your pets, obviously. If you can learn to identify the poisonous ones, you can leave the other ones unharmed. ;-)

[DD]

:clap_1: SJ and Skunkape! I too think that you should not kill anything in your yard if you can possibly help it. I found a small garden snake in my guest bath a couple of years ago, and let me tell you, that's quite a shock when it's 5:00 in the morning. But, while mr. dd freaked out, I just picked it up and "relocated" it outside. We have quite a few in our yard. Once in a while, the cats will get one, but like you said, SJ, it's just the natural cycle of nature. I do, however, have a spider story that I'm not proud of. Let's just say, when I tried to get the thing out of my house, a million babies came flying out! The resulting fiasco was not pretty--especially for the spiders. :eek: Personally, I would rather deal with a snake any day than a spider or one of those palmetto bugs! :eek: :eek:

[gilesdad]

: Let's just say, when I tried to get the thing out of my house, a million babies came flying out! :

Did this by chance involve an exploding cactus??? :cool:

[DD]

Did this by chance involve an exploding cactus??? :cool:

No, nothing quite as sensational as that....it was in my house, and I tried to "gently" remove it with a towel, the babies came out, millions of them! My daughter was here and was freaking out, so what followed involved a vacuum cleaner, a broom and some insect spray. Like I said, not pretty. We looked like Lucy and Ethel!

[30A Skunkape]

No, nothing quite as sensational as that....it was in my house, and I tried to "gently" remove it with a towel, the babies came out, millions of them! My daughter was here and was freaking out, so what followed involved a vacuum cleaner, a broom and some insect spray. Like I said, not pretty. We looked like Lucy and Ethel!

I've seen this too;seemingly hundreds of baby spiders hitchhike on mama's abdomen, and if she is disturbed they scatter into as many directions. Guess it is instinct. :shock:

[DD]

I've seen this too;seemingly hundreds of baby spiders hitchhike on mama's abdomen, and if she is disturbed they scatter into as many directions. Guess it is instinct. :shock:

And unfortunately for the spiders, I followed my instinct. :shock:

[aquaticbiology]

buy the biggest, most realistic fake poisonous snake you can find and put it half coiled up in the bushes - then get a plastic owl from a boat store like west marine or overtons and hang or mount it where it can be seen from all the yard - no mice or snakes in yard since snakes are territorial and the owl keeps away snake food

[Tatertot]

buy the biggest, most realistic fake poisonous snake you can find and put it half coiled up in the bushes - then get a plastic owl from a boat store like west marine or overtons and hang or mount it where it can be seen from all the yard - no mice or snakes in yard since snakes are territorial and the owl keeps away snake food


THANK YOU, Aquaticbiology, for answering my post and giving me an idea to try! :clap_1:

[SlowMovin]

There is a kind of 'fence' on the market now. It is a wire mesh which is nailed or tacked onto an existing fence, while the bottom part is buried. I am not going to guarantee it's effectiveness as I have seen snakes climb conventional fences, so I don't know whether they can get past the anti-snake portion or not.

Generally, snakes don't like people any more than people like them. The one exception is the harmless rat snake. A guy at FWC told me one day that they tend to like getting into structures. So typically, if you find a snake in a house or building (I had one in a rental one day scaring the cleaners) it will usually be a rat snake. They're harmless. Catch-and-release. Just make sure to ID them first.

If it has rattles, it's a rattlesnake--those are easy.

Copperheads are not so common near the beach--they tend to hang out more inland.

Moccasins are usually dark grey or black with markings that are not particularly pronounced...and fairly thick bodies with triangular heads.

Black snakes (which are common here) have no markings and narrow, slender bodies & heads.

Rat snakes look like this...
http://www.mindspring.com/~sloan/RatSnake.jpg

[Cil]

Just encountered what I am fairly certain was a pygmy rattlesnake.
It was curled up right on the walkover.
Tiny snake, tiny rattle.
Elwood never even saw it; I herded him away in another direction.
http://a1410.g.akamai.net/f/1410/1633/7d/images.enature.com/reptile_amph/reptile_amph_m/AR0132_1m.jpg

[Smiling JOe]

Just encountered what I am fairly certain was a pygmy rattlesnake.
It was curled up right on the walkover.
Tiny snake, tiny rattle.
Elwood never even saw it; I herded him away in another direction.
http://a1410.g.akamai.net/f/1410/1633/7d/images.enature.com/reptile_amph/reptile_amph_m/AR0132_1m.jpg

Good call. That is a Pygmy Rattle Snake.

[jdarg]

Good call. That is a Pygmy Rattle Snake.

Just encountered what I am fairly certain was a pygmy rattlesnake.
It was curled up right on the walkover.
Tiny snake, tiny rattle.
Elwood never even saw it; I herded him away in another direction.
http://a1410.g.akamai.net/f/1410/1633/7d/images.enature.com/reptile_amph/reptile_amph_m/AR0132_1m.jpg

Are y'all mocking me???:roll:

Cil, I almost stepped on one of these when we were house hunting in July. Apperently he came with the house.

[Johnrudy]

Are y'all mocking me???:roll:

Cil, I almost stepped on one of these when we were house hunting in July. Apperently he came with the house.
So frightening, a real nightmare.

[Cil]

Yikes, Jdarg! That is one "inclusion" you can live without!
Thanks for the confirmation, SJ.
I've seen snakes all summer but I was always pretty sure they were just harmless garter snakes like the ones my brothers used to catch.
This one was very different, and when I came home and googled pygmy, the picture was identical to what I'd seen.
I was so brave! ::pats self on back:: ;-)

[jdarg]

You were smart to get out of its way! Bdarg poked it with a stick trying to get a good look at it, then we took closeup pics. THEN we were told it was a pygmy rattle snake.:eek: In Bdarg's defense, we couldn't see the rattle until he came all the way out from between the deck steps.

[Uncle Timmy]

I found a snake skin in my backyard yesterday. Probably from a black racer I see from time to time. Neat.

However, I have seen far fewer snakes this year than in past years - I am wondering if this could be because I have a new neighbor who lets his dogs wander freely. They come into my yard frequently and I have heard that snakes will move out of an area that has a lot of pet activity. Anyone heard this?

[jdarg]

I found a snake skin in my backyard yesterday. Probably from a black racer I see from time to time. Neat.

However, I have seen far fewer snakes this year than in past years - I am wondering if this could be because I have a new neighbor who lets his dogs wander freely. They come into my yard frequently and I have heard that snakes will move out of an area that has a lot of pet activity. Anyone heard this?

I hope you are right. I don't mind the black snakes, but maybe my 2 dogs will be too much activity for a rattlesnake!!

[Smiling JOe]

I found a snake skin in my backyard yesterday. Probably from a black racer I see from time to time. Neat.

However, I have seen far fewer snakes this year than in past years - I am wondering if this could be because I have a new neighbor who lets his dogs wander freely. They come into my yard frequently and I have heard that snakes will move out of an area that has a lot of pet activity. Anyone heard this?Most likely due to an absence or reduction of food source around your yard. With the lack of rain, up until a few weeks ago, we have not had the frogs and anoles running and hopping around the yard. The Black Racers love to eat both of them, as do other snakes. Now with more sightings of the snakes' food sources, we will probably have more snake sightings, too.

[ShallowsNole]

With three dogs, two cats and a teenager, my family follows the "if it looks like a moccasin, kill it" philosophy. (Rattlers are easier to identify). I am sure that we have killed several banded water snakes this year. However, I am not going to stand over a thickish, dark snake to see if its pupils are round or slanted. If you are close enough to tell, you are too close if it is indeed a cottonmouth.

And SJ, darling, I am not about to try to capture it and dump it in a neighbor's yard. Sorry. I admire you for it though.

[Smiling JOe]

With three dogs, two cats and a teenager, my family follows the "if it looks like a moccasin, kill it" philosophy. (Rattlers are easier to identify). I am sure that we have killed several banded water snakes this year. However, I am not going to stand over a thickish, dark snake to see if its pupils are round or slanted. If you are close enough to tell, you are too close if it is indeed a cottonmouth.

And SJ, darling, I am not about to try to capture it and dump it in a neighbor's yard. Sorry. I admire you for it though.If I ever said that I put snakes in my neighbors yard, I certainly must have been drunk. I would never knowingly do such a thing. I do occasionally relocate them into the State Forest, but never into a neighbors yard.

[ShallowsNole]

Sorry 'bout that...but if I take them to the state forest, they will just slither back into my neighbors' yards. To take them further into the state forest would involve walking way too far with a snake, and no snakes are going in my car. :blink:

Besides, I know I am not Steve Irwin. My nephew tried to be and got bit. :blush:

[grace]

SJ's picture is NOT a cottonmouth (piscivrus conanti). Most likely a non venomous black racer (constricto constrictor) or black rat (obsoleta obsoleta).
And all of this talk about copperheads.......
maybe in the EXTREME northern parts of the county, but not the southern. Often times the non venomous corn or red rat snake is mistaken for the copperhead.

[jodiFL]

(I don't care WHO was here first!)


Learn to fit into nature rather than attempting to make nature fit into your world. ;-)
I think Tatertot should rethink the opinion posted. And I totally agree with the other post. If you are a new resident of Florida I think you probably should have researched exactly where you were relocating to. I hate to tell you but Florida is one of the "wildest" states you could ever move to. The wildlife here is very important to those of us that were attracted to this area for its "wildlife" (and not just the kind you have while partying with friends on the beach). I get really upset when people come to this area and complain or jump on the bandwagon to "kill 'em all" when it comes to snakes, bugs, gators,or sharks, that are just a part of this area. Yes ..we have poisonous snakes, biting bugs, and other LARGE creatures that will make your life miserable unless you respect them and their habitat. I recently created a "Welcome to Florida" brochure that should be given to every person that thinks they are moving "to the beach". You must realize that Florida is so much more than the beach and that you have to take the good with the bad. And to the person that found a "pygmy" rattlesnake....you should have seen the Eastern Diamondback that I saw slithering through my yard today.... he/she was probably 5' long and a beautiful specimen that I kept my distance from and let continue on "to my neighbors yard" or the state forest or wherever it was headed.

[NoHall]

SJ's picture is NOT a cottonmouth (piscivrus conanti). Most likely a non venomous black racer (constricto constrictor) or black rat (obsoleta obsoleta).

I noticed that, too. That sweet little face didn't belong on a pit viper, and it didn't have a cottonmouth's markings.

[Smiling JOe]

I think I like this jodiFL character. :D

"We are forever 'conquering' nature, space, mountains, deserts, bacteria, and insects instead of learning to cooperate with them in a harmonious order...The hostile attitude of conquering nature ignores the basic interdependence of all things and events -- that the world beyond the skin is actually an extension of our own bodies -- and will end in destroying the very environment from which we emerge and upon which our whole life depends."

Alan Watts -- The Book: on the taboo against knowing who you are (http://www.amazon.com/Book-Taboo-Against-Knowing-Who/dp/0679723005/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-6581963-3098063?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186281343&sr=8-2) (1966)

[NoHall]

I think I like this jodiFL character. :D

"We are forever 'conquering' nature, space, mountains, deserts, bacteria, and insects instead of learning to cooperate with them in a harmonious order...The hostile attitude of conquering nature ignores the basic interdependence of all things and events -- that the world beyond the skin is actually an extension of our own bodies -- and will end in destroying the very environment from which we emerge and upon which our whole life depends."

Alan Watts -- The Book: on the taboo against knowing who you are (http://www.amazon.com/Book-Taboo-Against-Knowing-Who/dp/0679723005/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-6581963-3098063?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186281343&sr=8-2) (1966)


I'm part Native American. I want to set traps for some of the more invasive species of introduced people. I suggest starting at WalMart...

[30A Skunkape]

I think I might have spotted one yesterday in Rosemary. I was riding my bike on a boardwalk and this snakehead poking a few inches up between the planks zipped down to safety as I approached. All I can say was that it was a snake;didn't get a good enough look to tell what kind it was.

[Miss Kitty]

Send all snakes to SJ and jodiFL! :clap:

[30A Skunkape]

Send all snakes to SJ and jodiFL! :clap:

I don't mind them either:wave:

[Miss Kitty]

I don't mind them either:wave:

ssssssssssssss, of course you don't...you are a skunkape! :wave:

[john 6067]

I live in seacrest beach and my wife was bitten by one six months ago. Definetly painful. They are quite common around here.

[sandflea]

I'm part Native American. I want to set traps for some of the more invasive species of introduced people. I suggest starting at WalMart...

:funn:

Funny I should stumble upon this thread today. Was at a friends sitting by the pool last night, lights on in the pool. And there it was, a pygmy (sp?) rattler takin a dip. Had to herd the kids and dogs into the house, while the men dealt with it. Of course they were bullet proof after all the beverages they'd had that day :roll:

[30A Skunkape]

I live in seacrest beach and my wife was bitten by one six months ago. Definetly painful. They are quite common around here.

Ouch! I think there are skunkapes in seacrest beach, too:creepy:

[InletBchDweller]

:floor: :floor: Ouch! I think there are skunkapes in seacrest beach, too:creepy:

[grace]

Pictures of juvenile cottonmouth I relocated out of my garden back in June. (one of two in as many weeks) Even with all of the poking and proding, not a single strike or aggressive posture. No need to kill. Just leave them alone and they'll do the same.

[30A Skunkape]

Pictures of juvenile cottonmouth I relocated out of my garden back in June. (one of two in as many weeks) Even with all of the poking and proding, not a single strike or aggressive posture. No need to kill. Just leave them alone and they'll do the same.

Nice catch and release!:clap:

[InletBchDweller]

Pictures of juvenile cottonmouth I relocated out of my garden back in June. (one of two in as many weeks) Even with all of the poking and proding, not a single strike or aggressive posture. No need to kill. Just leave them alone and they'll do the same.
Grace, due to my post #64 I dont believe in catch and release. THose suckers can strike and bite.

[Smiling JOe]

I live in seacrest beach and my wife was bitten by one six months ago. Definetly painful. They are quite common around here.From what I understand from builders who worked in Seacrest, you are right, there are/were craploads of snakes in that area. Now, they must be hiding under the houses and in the decorative bushes.

[grace]

Grace, due to my post #64 I dont believe in catch and release. THose suckers can strike and bite.
Sorry to hear about that. Yes, snakes can bite, but do so only in defense. Maybe you should leave the relocating to the professionals (SJ & myself:D )

[Arkiehawg]

We've also got Copperheads in the area.....yech.

I was in my traditional shorts/flip flops in May, when I turned on the water faucet at the side of my house. A few minutes later, I happened to look over at the faucet and there was an adult copperhead all curled up in a striking position. I must have reached across him when I turned on the water! I then promptly dispatched him with my trusty pick-ax via a center body strike.

Upon further evaluation, it became evident that the only reason that he didn't strike was due to the fact that he had recently consumed a mouse and was rather full.

I thought that I had left those critters when I moved from the mid-west!:yikes:

[grace]

We've also got Copperheads in the area.....yech.

I was in my traditional shorts/flip flops in May, when I turned on the water faucet at the side of my house. A few minutes later, I happened to look over at the faucet and there was an adult copperhead all curled up in a striking position. I must have reached across him when I turned on the water! I then promptly dispatched him with my trusty pick-ax via a center body strike.

Upon further evaluation, it became evident that the only reason that he didn't strike was due to the fact that he had recently consumed a mouse and was rather full.

I thought that I had left those critters when I moved from the mid-west!:yikes:
From the UF site:
In Florida, this snake occurs only in the panhandle, primarily along the Apalachicola River and its tributaries, and then in the western tip of the panhandle. The FLMNH has specimens in its collections from Jackson, Liberty, Gadsden, Calhoun, Gulf, and Escambia counties. The range might extend to other nearby areas, but there are no confirmed Florida records from outside these counties. Outside Florida, the species ranges north to Massachusetts, and west to Texas and southeastern Nebraska.
As an avid herpetologist, I have never heard of or seen a copperhead in these parts, nor can I find any documentation of such. The range may extnend to the most northern parts of our county. Not sure where you are located. It is easy to incorrectly ID a snake if you aren't familiar with them, especially when that adreneline gets flowing:D .

[Arkiehawg]

From the UF site:
In Florida, this snake occurs only in the panhandle, primarily along the Apalachicola River and its tributaries, and then in the western tip of the panhandle. The FLMNH has specimens in its collections from Jackson, Liberty, Gadsden, Calhoun, Gulf, and Escambia counties. The range might extend to other nearby areas, but there are no confirmed Florida records from outside these counties. Outside Florida, the species ranges north to Massachusetts, and west to Texas and southeastern Nebraska.
As an avid herpetologist, I have never heard of or seen a copperhead in these parts, nor can I find any documentation of such. The range may extnend to the most northern parts of our county. Not sure where you are located. It is easy to incorrectly ID a snake if you aren't familiar with them, especially when that adreneline gets flowing:D .

No offense, but I grew up around and have killed several copperheads. This was a copperhead. I should have taken a couple of pics. I've seen a few pygmy rattlers and a black snake or two around here, but this was the first copperhead. Size was about 2 1/2 ft.

My location is in BMB on Kingfish Street, just off of 30-A.

[InletBchDweller]

Sorry to hear about that. Yes, snakes can bite, but do so only in defense. Maybe you should leave the relocating to the professionals (SJ & myself:D )

Yes, I would never try to relocate them.
Sorry but in my yard it is off with their head, unless it is non-poisonous....

[grace]

No offense, but I grew up around and have killed several copperheads. This was a copperhead. I should have taken a couple of pics. I've seen a few pygmy rattlers and a black snake or two around here, but this was the first copperhead. Size was about 2 1/2 ft.

My location is in BMB on Kingfish Street, just off of 30-A.
You're right, you should have taken pictures. I'd love to see a southern copperhead that far out of range, but I'd prefer to see it alive.

[Arkiehawg]

Well, as they say....if there is one, there are probably two! I'll take pics next time (hopefully there won't be a next time!) I also don't mind seeing them alive either.....as long as it isn't in my yard where my family and pets play.....

I blame my neighbor for my experience anyway.....His wife "forced" him to kill a black racer a few weeks prior. Therefore our neighborhood "guardian" ceased to exist and the "gangs" have now come in.....:cool:

[grace]

SOS!!!!!!!!!!!
Save Our Snakes!!!!

[jodiFL]

As an avid herpetologist, I have never heard of or seen a copperhead in these parts, nor can I find any documentation of such. The range may extnend to the most northern parts of our county. Not sure where you are located.
Oh yea.. they are here. I have seen LIVE ones in my area on 3 different occasions. I live close to the bay off Bay drive.
I think I like this jodiFL character. :D :wave:

[grace]

Oh yea.. they are here. I have seen LIVE ones in my area on 3 different occasions. I live close to the bay off Bay drive.
:D :wave:
I'd LOVE to see these 'copperheads'. I suspect they are corn or red rat snakes, fox snakes, watersnakes, or possibly juvenile cottonmouths. Can you describe these 'copperheads'.
I live in the same area, and have for several years. I bike and run the trails through the state forrest. Have come accross pigmeys, eastern diamondbacks, corn snakes, racers, indigos, scarlet kings, pine snakes, hognose snakes, water snakes and cottonmouths. Still no copperheads.
Keep that camera handy:D

[jodiFL]

I will attempt to get you a pic of one. I identified the ones I saw through my "always-with-me little green book" (Audubon Society Field guide). While the markings on them are not as distinct as those shown in the book they are the same in pattern and placement. I attributed this to the light sand color in the area I saw them in.They definitely had the "pit" but moved quite rapidly away from me when approached. (not that I minded after I noticed the pit) Most of the rat snakes I have seen are "banded" while the markings of the copperheads stopped at the lower side.I also noticed NO markings on the head of these snakes, they were all one color
Also the only Cottonmouths I ever see are solid black with an almost yellow stripe on the side of the head.

[grace]

I will attempt to get you a pic of one. I identified the ones I saw through my "always-with-me little green book" (Audubon Society Field guide). While the markings on them are not as distinct as those shown in the book they are the same in pattern and placement. I attributed this to the light sand color in the area I saw them in.They definitely had the "pit" but moved quite rapidly away from me when approached. (not that I minded after I noticed the pit) Most of the rat snakes I have seen are "banded" while the markings of the copperheads stopped at the lower side.I also noticed NO markings on the head of these snakes, they were all one color
Did they look anything like these?

[Arkiehawg]

Grace,

Those look like cottonmouths to me?

[jodiFL]

The copperhead i have seen has markings like the one on the left but were a lighter color like the ones on the right. And most moccasins I have seen look like the last pic

[jodiFL]

Grace,

Those look like cottonmouths to me?
Me too:idontno:

[NoHall]

:funn:

Funny I should stumble upon this thread today. Was at a friends sitting by the pool last night, lights on in the pool. And there it was, a pygmy (sp?) rattler takin a dip. Had to herd the kids and dogs into the house, while the men dealt with it. Of course they were bullet proof after all the beverages they'd had that day :roll:

I was a lifeguard for many years, mostly in Georgia, and lived in fear of taking the lid off the skimmers. (Sssshiver...)

Pictures of juvenile cottonmouth I relocated out of my garden back in June. (one of two in as many weeks) Even with all of the poking and proding, not a single strike or aggressive posture. No need to kill. Just leave them alone and they'll do the same.

Sorry to hear about that. Yes, snakes can bite, but do so only in defense. Maybe you should leave the relocating to the professionals (SJ & myself:D )

I've been a landscape professional, mostly in Georgia, for the last 13 years. I worked at a camp in Jasper, Georgia that was literally infested with copperheads and rattlers. Those copperheads were aggressive. I had more than one come after me. At one point I was on a sidewalk in front of a building, and the snake came around from the back, straight toward me. I was barefooted that evening, so I was backpedaling and climbing the porch railings as fast as I could. I was joined by another adult, and the snake was determined to show us who was boss. I was able to jump the rail and run for a shovel, and the snake never gave any indication that it was willing to run.

At the same camp, I used to throw tantrums when the maintenance guys killed my black snakes. The black snakes (mostly king snakes, I believe) made every effort to stay out of our way, and I particularly loved that they are territorial. The rattlers weren't aggressive, either. In fact, I never saw one myself.

The copperhead i have seen has markings like the one on the left but were a lighter color like the ones on the right. And most moccasins I have seen look like the last pic

When I was visiting Hop a couple of months ago, he ran over what he thought was a moccasin. A passer-by told us that the copperheads and cottonmouths are closely related. I didn't realize that, but Googling confirmed it...

FOR THE RECORD: Even though my practice is to kill a venomous snake rather than risk being bitten by it later, it has never brought me any joy to kill anything. I usually leave that battle to the blacksnakes and my cat. I have nothing but respect for the likes of SJ and Grace for their mercy.

[CiaoBella]

This is a cottonmouh not a pygmy rattler

[savvytangerine]

At one point I was on a sidewalk in front of a building, and the snake came around from the back, straight toward me. I was barefooted that evening, so I was backpedaling and climbing the porch railings as fast as I could. I was joined by another adult, and the snake was determined to show us who was boss. I was able to jump the rail and run for a shovel, and the snake never gave any indication that it was willing to run.

At the same camp, I used to throw tantrums when the maintenance guys killed my black snakes. The black snakes (mostly king snakes, I believe) made every effort to stay out of our way, and I particularly loved that they are territorial. The rattlers weren't aggressive, either. In fact, I never saw one myself.

:yikes: :leaving:

I have a black snake that lives in my yard. Doesn't have an angled head and seems docile enough. I swear it seems like we have had this snake for a couple years now - and it is bigger each year. Hopefully it keeps everything else away.

But I did have a funky colored short snake living between the space of the backdoor and the door jam. :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: I think I may have screamed more like a little girl that day - than any other day of my life. Looking back it is funny. :rolling:

[jodiFL]

The 2 top pics in my post are of copperheads. The ones I have seen around here look more like the one on the right and were probably about 3'. But I saw one that was smaller had a greenish/yellow part on its tail, which I read in my handy field guide indicated a juvenile.
The bottom pic is of a cottonmouth/moccasin. I rarely see ones that are brown/tan-ish. Most of the ones I see are very dark,almost black and have a yellowish stripe on the side of the head.Also seem short and fat, never more than 3'. I have been told that they get darker as they get older so the retirement community for water moccasins must be in my neighborhood.
:creepy:

[Johnrudy]

I am deathly terrified of snakes, hate them all (sorry) but I keep returning to this thread. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

When I was growing up in S. Ala., we had woods all around our property so we had our share of rattlesnakes (I always managed to "rake" across one while I was raking) and also moccasins in the river where we skied. We even went to the Rattlesnake Rodeo in Opp some years. :eek: (very nightmarish)

But PLEASE tell me that there are no snakes ON the beach! I just never thought there would be snakes slithering along the beautiful white, pristine sand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are no snakes on the beach, right????

(I'm gonna have nightmares tonight.)

[Smiling JOe]

So, I looked through my handy-dandy-always-within-close-reach, National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida (http://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-Field-Florida/dp/067944677X/ref=sr_1_1/103-5373178-7459800?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186376491&sr=1-1), and, interestingly, the Copperhead is not even listed in it. The four poisonous snakes listed are the Cottonmouth, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Southeastern Diamondback, and Coral Snake. I know that we had Copperheads in north Georgia, because I've found them, but I've never personally seen any Copperheads from middle GA farther south, and I've spent many years roaming the woods and creek and river banks of south Georgia. (I'm not saying that they haven't migrated.)

[Smiling JOe]

But PLEASE tell me that there are no snakes ON the beach! I just never thought there would be snakes slithering along the beautiful white, pristine sand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are no snakes on the beach, right????

(I'm gonna have nightmares tonight.)
Haven't seen any on the actual low lying beach, and most snakes enjoy their camouflage too much, to leave it all behind for a crawl down to the beach. The short version is that the snakes follow the food source.

Remember to use that word, "never," very carefully. It gets many people into trouble. Maybe you recall the story of the American Alligator coming onto the beach in Sandestin a couple of years ago. It was described as being about 10 ft in length. People chased it back into the Gulf, and followed it for a long way down the shore, before it disappeared, not to be seen again by those people. (Alligators are fresh water animals, but mating season kind of stirs things up a bit.)

[grace]

Grace,

Those look like cottonmouths to me?They are florida cottonmouths. I'm guessing the 'copperheads' are actually juvenile cottonmouths.
Anything is possible. I'll believe it when I see it.

[NoHall]

Y'all have me looking up snakes now. I don't like snakes.

However, it's interesting. I found some good pictures:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/Juvenile%2520Eastern%2520Cottonmouth%2520%2520(Agk istrodon%2520piscivorus%2520piscivorus)012sm.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/snake_id_-_3.htm&h=365&w=500&sz=71&hl=en&start=5&sig2=PVYiQ6XkxeJa7NiaZXipOA&um=1&tbnid=1eRBCUsQr-5wkM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=130&ei=_Da3RsCUIZTGiwGH4KmAAg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djuvenile%2Bcottonmouth%26svnum%3D10%2 6um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26s a%3DN

Notice that the juvenile cottonmouths and juvenile copperheads look a whole lot alike...

[mohwen]

We have seen several pygmy's at the Shark's Tooth golf course. Even saw one exiting a crack in the wall of the clubhouse:yikes:. Nature is all around us--sometimes just too much around.

[Johnrudy]

We have seen several pygmy's at the Shark's Tooth golf course. Even saw one exiting a crack in the wall of the clubhouse:yikes:. Nature is all around us--sometimes just too much around.
When I read things like this, it makes me glad I'm not living down south anymore! :shock:

[Smiling JOe]

We have seen several pygmy's at the Shark's Tooth golf course. Even saw one exiting a crack in the wall of the clubhouse:yikes:. Nature is all around us--sometimes just too much around.Last year, about this time, JDarg and BDarg were ready to pick up a Pygmy Rattler, which was crawling up through a deck on a house. Well, maybe the picking up part is a little bit of an exaggeration, but they had their faces right over the snake, investigating it. When I told them what it was, they took a step back.

[Johnrudy]

Last year, about this time, JDarg and BDarg were ready to pick up a Pygmy Rattler, which was crawling up through a deck on a house. Well, maybe the picking up part is a little bit of an exaggeration, but they had their faces right over the snake, investigating it. When I told them what it was, they took a step back.
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

[slandmarks]

I am deathly terrified of snakes, hate them all (sorry) but I keep returning to this thread. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

When I was growing up in S. Ala., we had woods all around our property so we had our share of rattlesnakes (I always managed to "rake" across one while I was raking) and also moccasins in the river where we skied. We even went to the Rattlesnake Rodeo in Opp some years. :eek: (very nightmarish)

But PLEASE tell me that there are no snakes ON the beach! I just never thought there would be snakes slithering along the beautiful white, pristine sand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are no snakes on the beach, right????

(I'm gonna have nightmares tonight.)


Beach Mice = Snakes nearby ...

[Johnrudy]

Beach Mice = Snakes nearby ...
ohhhh noooo. But I don't really know what a beach mouse is. :idontno:
I know snakes always hang out (literally) in the citrus trees. yuck.

[jdarg]

The black racer snakes are out everywhere right now- I see them every time I am driving! Why are they always crossing the road? Busy snakes they are!!!:confused:

[Johnrudy]

I hate snakes. And they do always seem to be crossing the roads. yuck.

[jdarg]

I hate snakes. And they do always seem to be crossing the roads. yuck.


Makes for a lot of snake pancake!:lol:

[DD]

Makes for a lot of snake pancake!:lol:

:lol:

[jdarg]

Well, it sounded better than snake milkshake.:puke:

Or snake cornflake.

[DD]

Well, it sounded better than snake milkshake.:puke:

Or snake cornflake.

:lol: :lol:

[Beachbummett]

Friend of mine is an elderly surveyor, nice old country gentleman from Alabama, his young assistant was driving him in the truck one day and slammed on his brakes, backed up, pulled forward, backed up.......my elderly surveyor friend said "Well son, I think you killed that fan belt!" :funn:

[Johnrudy]

Friend of mine is an elderly surveyor, nice old country gentleman from Alabama, his young assistant was driving him in the truck one day and slammed on his brakes, backed up, pulled forward, backed up.......my elderly surveyor friend said "Well son, I think you killed that fan belt!" :funn:
:funn::floor:

[ShallowsNole]

The black racer snakes are out everywhere right now- I see them every time I am driving! Why are they always crossing the road? Busy snakes they are!!!:confused:

To get to the other side? :idontno: :biggrin:

On the subject of black racer snakes...they are as harmless as can be, but one springtime Sunday morning several years ago, I observed two black racers playing (courting?) in the Point Washington Cemetery. As I continued on my way, they decided to play a game of chase with each other and one of them slid OVER MY FOOT. :yikes:

I am sure that the congregation at Cornerstone found the sight quite amusing. Hopefully they didn't hear me...:blush:

[Miss Kitty]

The black racer snakes are out everywhere right now- I see them every time I am driving! Why are they always crossing the road? Busy snakes they are!!!:confused:

that's where the chickens are. :biggrin: :wave:

[winddancer]

The problem with pygmy rattlesnakes is that they are so well camouflaged. I have almost picked one up more than once while burning brush. They look just like an oak twig. My neighbor got bitten by one...just made her a little bit sick, but nothing lethal. I keep a bush axe by my back door for just such occasions. Have also had a 10 ft rattlesnake in my yard...disappeared into the woods by the time I got back with my shotgun. Far as I know its still out there, lol. Things that have visited my home in the past....squirrels, rats, snakes and even a bat. Price you pay when you live in the woods I guess :-)

[DuneLaker]

Oh, Miss Kitty!!!! You beat me to the punch about needing to cross the road to get to the chicken. I haven't seen a pgymy rattler in my yard for some time.

[Johnrudy]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: Guys, I didn't sleep well last night. I kept waking up thinking/dreaming that there was a pile of pygmy rattlers at the bottom of my mattress where my sheets are tucked in. :shock::shock::shock::shock::shock:

I HAVE to stop reading these snake threads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mikecatadjuster]

The snakes around my house would laugh at rope. Or, possibly try to mate with it.

SJ's picture is a classic cottonmouth. Scary to have one of those looking at you, licking his lips. :shock:

ANYWHERE you have pine trees and pinestraw in abundance, you are going to have scorpions and pygmy rattlers. When I lived in Freeport, there were about 50 little skinny pines on our lot, and daily we would find scorpions in the house. Wasn't uncommon to find a pygmy on the steps or in the yard, either.

We cut down the trees and the scorpions left. Pygmies stayed, though, perhaps not as many.

btw, before y'all jump on me for cutting down trees...THEY WERE PINE TREES. Skinny ones. Prone to snap off in a hurricane and form a projectile to come in your window and impale you (or at least sway real hard, making you sick watching them go round, and round, and round :puke: ). Pine trees also attract lightning. I get incensed when people cut down beautiful, majestic oak trees that are hundreds of years old, but pine trees can go. :cool:

Actually, that pic is not of a cottonmouth/watermoccasin. It is black, but it is not a moccasin. The moccasin is the most misdiagnosed snake there is. Almost every snake is called a moccasin. I have had three pygmy rattlers in my yard and re-located them all deep into teh woods. I've seen bunches of moccasin in the swamps and ditches out in Point Washington forest, but not in the past few months where it has been plenty hot. They tend to sun in the spring and fall when the nights are cold and days warm.

[Yahoodie]

there are pigmys, cotton mouths, rattlers, black racers, big cats, bats, fox, deer, wild hogs, scorpions, coral snakes, gators, big lizards, BIG gators and more all over this area. We do live in a rural area that is full of all kinds of wonderful "critters" and I for one, am happy to be here with them, uh, as long as they keep their distance, I will most certainly keep mine, especially from the coral snakes, two of whom I have dug up when gardening! Thank goodness it was cool and both critters were slow!! don't ya just love it?

[NoHall]

Actually, that pic is not of a cottonmouth/watermoccasin. It is black, but it is not a moccasin. The moccasin is the most misdiagnosed snake there is. Almost every snake is called a moccasin. I have had three pygmy rattlers in my yard and re-located them all deep into teh woods. I've seen bunches of moccasin in the swamps and ditches out in Point Washington forest, but not in the past few months where it has been plenty hot. They tend to sun in the spring and fall when the nights are cold and days warm.

I concur. He doesn't have the pit viper head. He's just smiling...:biggrin:

[Smiling JOe]

somewhere in my file of photos, I have a pic of a pygmy rattlesnake on the welcome mat outside of a local business.

[Dune-AHH]

Friend of mine is an elderly surveyor, nice old country gentleman from Alabama, his young assistant was driving him in the truck one day and slammed on his brakes, backed up, pulled forward, backed up.......my elderly surveyor friend said "Well son, I think you killed that fan belt!" :funn:

THAT's wit... and then he spit :funn:

To get to the other side? :idontno: :biggrin:


My thoughts exactly!!!

that's where the chickens are. :biggrin: :wave:

:lolabove::lolabove::lolabove: