Timber Rattler

Sounds like y'all killed a good snake,one that would kill rodents, etc...

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LeeAnne, wife of Tim's youth, homeschooling mother of twelve seventh generation Texans.

Swede Farm Dairy

Dairy Berries

"I've seen folks mention that the copperheads in their area are somewhat agressive, folks who's opinion I trust, but the coppperheads here are docile as can be"

Copperheads are known for being nonagressive. In fact though a copperhead bite (if envenomated) will make you sick it will rarely kill you, in fact usually does not even have enough venom to kill a house cat.

__________________
LeeAnne, wife of Tim's youth, homeschooling mother of twelve seventh generation Texans.

Swede Farm Dairy

Dairy Berries

"I've never had any livestock or dogs killed by a mouse."

Yet more people through history have been killed by rodent carried disease than by snake bites!

__________________
LeeAnne, wife of Tim's youth, homeschooling mother of twelve seventh generation Texans.

Swede Farm Dairy

Dairy Berries

Yep.
I've got a cabin in east Tennessee, and there are lotsa' copperheads. We've had several dogs get bit over the years ('cuz the dogs were messin' with 'em), but never had a dog die from a bite. Usually, they just crawl up under the cabin, and slobber like the dickens for a day or so, an are fine.

>>>>it's an erie feeling to have a 6ft+ cottonmouth chasing you.<<<<

You should have caught it. It would be very near a world record. Likely would be the record.

That most definitely sounds like a hog nose snake, not a timber rattler. Timber rattlers have rattlers and they USE them. Fortunately, the Timber rattler at the edge of my carport several years ago kept warning the cat, the dog and my young daughter that he was there and he didn't want to be messed with or mess with them. My Daddy came and shot it because the last thing I needed was a rattler in the yard with little kids.

I was raised to recognize venomous snakes from non-venomous snakes and to leave the harmless ones alone. Fortunately, my hubby feels the same. The only snakes we've ever killed on our place are cottonmouths. Hubby killed the first one of the year back in February! It was a big one too. We've had three dogs in five years get bit and almost lost one of them.

It's wise to learn your snake species.

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I'm running so far behind I thought I was first!

http://hickahala.blogspot.com/

I was in the woods doing a photoshoot yesterday and came up on a cluster of snakes mating - creepiest sound in the world. There are pics on my blog here http://www.thistlequill.blogspot.com if you click on the pic you can view the large version. I'm thinking they were garter snakes but not sure. Since there were more snakes, of the same kind, coming up the river bank to join in the mating bundle we decided to leave!

Kimberly

__________________
“I am not afraid, because I was born to do this."

Joan of Arc

http://www.survivalkitchen.blogspot.com

I stumbled on a nest of cottonmouths once while out canoing on a shallow river. They chased after me, the canoe was stuck in some trees, a friend in the boat exclaimed "I've never seen anyone walk on water before" it was a frightening experience they actually followed the canoe for quite some time before they gave up the chase.

K-

__________________
“I am not afraid, because I was born to do this."

Joan of Arc

http://www.survivalkitchen.blogspot.com

I've got a lot of snakes in my back yard / garden and we get along fine. When they get into my dog pen, they are dead in seconds.

WOW, that is a beautiful pic. Yes, they are garter snakes.

Sorry, but I have a hard time believing the stories about water moccasins chasing people. I've been around those things most all of my life, encountered hundreds of them, and never seen them do more than try to get away.

They will, however, flop off a low-hanging branch into a fishing boat and give ya' a dern heart attack. The other spot to look out for them is in a live-well without a tght lid in boats that stay docked on the water. The water in the livewell gets a little warm, and is an inviting place for a cold-blooded critter....not a good idea to go reachin' your hand in there without taking a look first.