John Smalldridge Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I almost stepped on this little guy while picking my best chanterelle patch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adawg Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Those Copperheads are hard to see in the leaves ! And after too many close encounters, I now wear snake guards .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted June 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 They are hard to see, but the ones I have encountered have been fairly docile so far. I think that I am more likely to be bitten by one on the hand picking than on the lower leg. Also I usually wear boots in the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutddicted Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Awesome - except for the fact they're venomous. Thanks for the share, luckily here in Ontario we don't have any venomous snakes to deal with, except for the massassauga rattler however they are rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 I've always thought they are beautiful snakes. But I haven't come across many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vault Dweller Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Very glad you didn't get bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted June 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 They are awesome,venomous and beautiful and I too am very glad I didn't get bit. I always try to leave the snakes alone except where they pose a real danger to people and can't be relocated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefsWild Posted June 11, 2016 Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 They are awesome,venomous and beautiful and I too am very glad I didn't get bit. I always try to leave the snakes alone except where they pose a real danger to people and can't be relocated. They are ridiculously easy to relocate. I have three stacked up in my house right now; two can keep hanging out as they are a nice pair and make good house decor in a locked cage. The third I need to pack up and relocate after it chows a few more mice. Relocating is stressful and the extra meals will help. While it is always better to just move them a short ways, if they are found in an area with a lot of kids and pets, you'll need to translocate a greater distance. Or pass them onto a herp professional, either way. Feel free to drop me a line if you need help with venomous snake rehab; it's no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted June 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 Thanks Chefs! If I run into any relocation problems, I'll give you a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunShroomer3578 Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 Mushrooms aren't the only ones taking advantage of the heat and rain here in South Louisiana !! With a lite nudge of the walking stick we went our separate ways. Also guarding some chants John ! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefsWild Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 Cajun, that's a young Agkistrodon piscivorus. Cutie! They are really nice to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunShroomer3578 Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 I'm not too sure I would want to work with it. Lol I'm sure that has lots to do with the fact that we were raised with people putting stigmas on them. I've never had a bad run in with them. I'm quick to remind friends and others that we are invading their territory and there's no need to show aggression towards them. They are beautiful creatures and harmless unless harmed. Is it true that they cannot bite under water ? Or is that just a myth here in South Louisiana !' Seems to me if it really wants to bite you, regardless if it's under wai, it'll bite ya if harmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted June 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 Cajunshroomer, we have some of those here, but they tend to stick to wetter areas than I look for mushrooms. Did you get any chants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunShroomer3578 Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 In that particular spot no luck. They are starting to pop up though. I've just had had bad timing. I work nights so week days are out the question for foraging. . I've noticed a pattern in the chants here in south Louisiana. Majority of my finds are are the edge of wooded areas and along the edges of ditches and canals that are also wooded. That would explain the water maccasin photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefsWild Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Good on you for not harming them. They are nearsighted and can be spooked easily, and likewise they enjoy nibbling on anything their senses tell them is warm, but they are really pretty nice snakes and calm down super quick in captivity or even after a few minutes of gentle handling (with proper safety equipment of course). To answer the question of whether they can bite underwater, the issue isn't so much whether they can as whether they will. In most cases they won't bite at all unless you are a right idiot and attack them first, or unless you actually step on the snake. I have gone in the water after them and simply waited when they ducked under the surface without a lot of concern that they were coming to bite me or whatnot. It's not their style. This said, had I stepped on one I'm sure it would have bitten defensively, whether this occurred underwater or on land. Cottonmouths are pretty heavy fish eaters; that's what 'piscivorus' means. Since fish are not inclined to hurl themselves out of water so that snakes can conveniently consume them, you can probably figure out that they are fully capable of pursuing and chomping on fish, frogs, crawdads, etc, underwater. They do seem a lot less likely to bite defensively in water - not that they are really bad about that on land either - but again I wouldn't advise grabbing or stepping on one regardless of the moisture level in your situation. I'm not too sure I would want to work with it. LolI'm sure that has lots to do with the fact that we were raised with people putting stigmas on them.I've never had a bad run in with them. I'm quick to remind friends and others that we are invading their territory and there's no need to show aggression towards them. They are beautiful creatures and harmless unless harmed.Is it true that they cannot bite under water ?Or is that just a myth here in South Louisiana !'Seems to me if it really wants to bite you, regardless if it's under wai, it'll bite ya if harmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunShroomer3578 Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Pretty impressive Chef!! Top Chef, Herptologist and a well rounded with mycology ?!?! ? I've always wanted to do some snake handling myself. I've got way too many hobbies as it is though! I know who I need to contact for any snake questions. Thanks !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefsWild Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 I'm not a chef so much as someone who brings chefs to the wild and vice versa, but thanks! Though nobody seems to complain much when I run a wild foods pop-up dinner, which I do mostly for wildlife charity. I can put some tastiness on the table. Herpetologist would be correct however. Primary specialty is with venomous species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunShroomer3578 Posted June 19, 2016 Report Share Posted June 19, 2016 Thanks for the explanation Chef. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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