Bambi Buster
Well-Known Member
Something I saw elsewhere on the internet. No idea how valid it is,, but posted in the hope that a more herpetologically literate soul will enlighten us regarding its veracity.
Venomous Water Snake ID?
- Thread starter Bambi Buster
- Start date
True.
Takes me back to my 4-H days. Cant say have an affinity for snakes, but was never scared of them and did a presentation on venomous vs non-venomous after much research back in the day.
Im still don't worry bout them even after being hit by a big timber rattler. Long story there.
Takes me back to my 4-H days. Cant say have an affinity for snakes, but was never scared of them and did a presentation on venomous vs non-venomous after much research back in the day.
Im still don't worry bout them even after being hit by a big timber rattler. Long story there.
Rakkin6
Well-Known Member
Let's get something straight really quick. I don't plan on getting close enough to see a freaking band on a mouth. If I see it it gets a wide berth. If I am close when I see it I am running or shooting the thing if I got a gun. Snakes are the one thing I can not deal with. Lol what's wrong with you guys.
Creek bottoms
Well-Known Member
No elliptical pupil. Not poisonous. Water snake.
Another way to tell is the lines on the belly. This will work if you find a shed also.
A poison snake the lines will be straight all the way to the tip. A non poison the lines will start making a x toward the end of the tail.
A poison snake the lines will be straight all the way to the tip. A non poison the lines will start making a x toward the end of the tail.
backyardtndeer
Well-Known Member
Common water snakes have a solid yellow belly with no banding. Water moccasins have a barred pattern on a white belly. Also notice the eyes on the water snake are round and the nose is round.Something I saw elsewhere on the internet. No idea how valid it is,, but posted in the hope that a more herpetologically literate soul will enlighten us regarding its veracity.
Don't want to get that close to a dandgum snake to be able to tell the difference.
Big difference in the shape of the head, big wide head, cottonmouth.
During the TWRA trapping class there was a copperhead coiled up at the base of tree one morning when we went out of check our traps.
The Officer explained, "Cottonmouths are actually quite docile. You could walk up to her, slide your hands under her and pick her up and she would not bite you".
One of the students of the class said, "Well, lets see you do it!"
The office calmly replied, "No, I said YOU could do that - Pay attention to detail next time"
LOL
The Officer explained, "Cottonmouths are actually quite docile. You could walk up to her, slide your hands under her and pick her up and she would not bite you".
One of the students of the class said, "Well, lets see you do it!"
The office calmly replied, "No, I said YOU could do that - Pay attention to detail next time"
LOL
BSK
Well-Known Member
Too funny (well, not really). It has been my experience that cottonmouths are the most aggressive of all the venomous snakes. Time and time again when I've encountered them in Deep South swamps, they come right at me instead of trying to get away. Timber rattlers seem to be the most human averse.
Unfortunately, the cottonmouths' non-venomous look-alike species, the common water snake, also happens to be aggressive. In fact, I would place them as the most aggressive snake I've ever encountered. I've been bitten by them multiple times while working in the water or wade-fishing.
This is certainly true but water snakes and several other non venemous species have the ability to flatten their heads and use it as a defensive posture.
Yes, they do but when I see ANY head like that I leave it alone and find another place.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS!!!^^^^^^^^^^^
For me, the second most aggressive snake is the copperhead. I once hit one across the head with a shovel and picked it up with the same shovel it was still moving around. The darn thing was still trying to bite the shovel with 1/2 head.
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So the officer could not tell the difference between a cottonmouth and a copperhead?
never had a cottonmouth come at me, they always seem to scat in a hurry. the bad thing is when you going down a creek to the backwater. they jump out of trees and sometimes into the boat.
id rather get bit by a cottonmouth than a timber rattler.
id rather get bit by a cottonmouth than a timber rattler.
Urban_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Bad snake sinks in water
Worse snake floats on top
Bad snake’s head is about the same size and shape as it’s body
Worse snake’s head is triangular and larger than its body
I say “bad snake” because as BSK said, water snakes seem to wake up each morning with an attitude
Worse snake floats on top
Bad snake’s head is about the same size and shape as it’s body
Worse snake’s head is triangular and larger than its body
I say “bad snake” because as BSK said, water snakes seem to wake up each morning with an attitude
Omega
Well-Known Member
I would help it with a shovel if it was too close. I was once squirrel hunting when I happened upon a snake that started rattling at me, since it was within striking distance I shot, only to find out it was a harmless snake that "tricks" predators off with that tactic, but it backfired with me.
