Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Phisherman" wrote:



We also have large black
rat snakes, some 7 feet long, but these are harmless and feast on
copperheads.

If that is the same black snake I know, they do a better job than a
cat around the barn keeping the rat/mouse population under control.

And, actually, keeping the cat population down is one of their useful
functions as well when the coyotes get lazy...

--

dpb wrote:
Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Phisherman" wrote:



We also have large black
rat snakes, some 7 feet long, but these are harmless and feast on
copperheads.

If that is the same black snake I know, they do a better job than a
cat around the barn keeping the rat/mouse population under control.

And, actually, keeping the cat population down is one of their useful
functions as well when the coyotes get lazy...

My cats always got along well with black snakes. They'd play together for
hours. Neither one ever seemed to hurt the other.

On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:43 -0600, Chris Friesen
wrote:

On 10/07/2009 05:42 PM, wrote:

This Puffy, in Livingstone Zambia, October 1974, if I remeber
correctly was just over 5 feet long and almost 3 inches in diameter.
He was just inside the shop door when we came back from lunch. The
guys were pretty excited, and searched the whole shop after killing it
to be sure it didn't have a friend along!!!

I lived upcountry in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the
late 80s. Had a python eat one of the neighbor's goats. They tracked
it down while it was still digesting it.

There was also the odd poisonous snake, one time some friends found a
spitting cobra in the outhouse. Our dog killed a little snake in the
house one time...didn't think it was poisonous though.

Best part about living there was our pet african grey parrot. They're
awesome. Stupid expensive in North America though.

Chris
Yes, and they will likely outlive you. Not uncommon to last 80 years.

On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:43 -0600, Chris Friesen
wrote:

On 10/07/2009 05:42 PM, wrote:

This Puffy, in Livingstone Zambia, October 1974, if I remeber
correctly was just over 5 feet long and almost 3 inches in diameter.
He was just inside the shop door when we came back from lunch. The
guys were pretty excited, and searched the whole shop after killing it
to be sure it didn't have a friend along!!!

I lived upcountry in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the
late 80s. Had a python eat one of the neighbor's goats. They tracked
it down while it was still digesting it.

There was also the odd poisonous snake, one time some friends found a
spitting cobra in the outhouse. Our dog killed a little snake in the
house one time...didn't think it was poisonous though.

Best part about living there was our pet african grey parrot. They're
awesome. Stupid expensive in North America though.

Chris
I spent my time in southern Zambia. Also some time in Burkina Faso
(formerly Upper Volta)

Phisherman wrote:

On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:07:32 +0000 (GMT), Stuart
wrote:

In article
,
Luigi Zanasi wrote:

That's what I like about the Yukon, no snakes or skunks except for
Tory politicians.

The only poisonous snake we have in the UK is the Adder, rarely fatal
except to the very young or very frail. Also very rarely found.

The skunks here are Labour politicians.


We have timber rattlers, water moccasins, pigmy rattler, and
copperhead.

OK, you win. Arizona is viper-poor compared to that inventory -- thank
goodness.

Copperheads are common, shy, but you always need to know
where you are putting your hands and feet.

IIRC, they can only bite at the flaps of skin (between fingers, toes, etc)
because they can't open their mouths wide enough to strike other parts of
an adult human -- is that correct or am I thinking of a different viper?

We also have large black
rat snakes, some 7 feet long, but these are harmless and feast on
copperheads.

--

There is never a situation where having more rounds is a disadvantage

Rob Leatham

IIRC, they can only bite at the flaps of skin (between fingers, toes,
etc)
because they can't open their mouths wide enough to strike other parts of
an adult human -- is that correct or am I thinking of a different viper?

I had heard that about the poisonous sea snakes but never about a
Copperhead.
--


Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
(800) 871-5022
01.908.542.0244
Automatic / Pneumatic Drills: http://www.AutoDrill.com
Multiple Spindle Drills: http://www.Multi-Drill.com
Production Tapping: http://Production-Tapping-Equipment.com/
Flagship Site: http://www.Drill-N-Tap.com
VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/user/AutoDrill

V8013-R

Mark & Juanita wrote:
Phisherman wrote:

Copperheads are common, shy, but you always need to know
where you are putting your hands and feet.

IIRC, they can only bite at the flaps of skin (between fingers, toes, etc)
because they can't open their mouths wide enough to strike other parts of
an adult human -- is that correct or am I thinking of a different viper?

Sounds like you are describing a coral snake ... although they don't
really have to chew on you, they do bite more than strike. Common in
this part of the country (TX).


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

Joe AutoDrill wrote:
IIRC, they can only bite at the flaps of skin (between fingers,
toes, etc)
because they can't open their mouths wide enough to strike other
parts of an adult human -- is that correct or am I thinking of a
different viper?

I had heard that about the poisonous sea snakes but never about a
Copperhead.

A copperhead is a pit viper, same family as rattlesnakes and cottonmouths,
but different genus. They can put a fang into any part of you, and like all
pit vipers have long retractile fangs that can go through quite a bit of
clothing. Here's a copperhead yawning, but with fangs retracted
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11304433@N00/459385883/. Here's one with fangs
out--note the sheath around the fangs that slides back as the fangs go in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11051247@N08/3842903770/. Here's a copperhead
skull--you can see the fangs more clearly
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malodora/3048537228/.

A copperhead is a pit viper, same family as rattlesnakes and cottonmouths,
but different genus. They can put a fang into any part of you, and like
all
pit vipers have long retractile fangs that can go through quite a bit of
clothing. Here's a copperhead yawning, but with fangs retracted
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11304433@N00/459385883/. Here's one with
fangs
out--note the sheath around the fangs that slides back as the fangs go in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11051247@N08/3842903770/. Here's a
copperhead
skull--you can see the fangs more clearly
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malodora/3048537228/.

Beautiful photos... Thanks for sharing.

All my life, I've loved snakes and even owned over 100 at one point, but
since marrying a woman with a death-fear of MICE and RATS it's hard to own
anything that's really any fun any more.
--


Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
(800) 871-5022
01.908.542.0244
Automatic / Pneumatic Drills: http://www.AutoDrill.com
Multiple Spindle Drills: http://www.Multi-Drill.com
Production Tapping: http://Production-Tapping-Equipment.com/
Flagship Site: http://www.Drill-N-Tap.com
VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/user/AutoDrill

V8013-R

On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:07:41 -0500, Phisherman wrote:

Copperheads are common, shy, but you always need to know where you are
putting your hands and feet.

We found one in the school yard in grade school. Didn't know it was
dangerous so we picked it up and played with it till recess was over.
Took it in the classroom and teacher had a fit. We took it back out and
turned it loose :-).

We either got one that was very mild mannered or they are reluctant to
bite.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

Larry Blanchard said:

On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:07:41 -0500, Phisherman wrote:

Copperheads are common, shy, but you always need to know where you are
putting your hands and feet.

We found one in the school yard in grade school. Didn't know it was
dangerous so we picked it up and played with it till recess was over.
Took it in the classroom and teacher had a fit. We took it back out and
turned it loose :-).

We either got one that was very mild mannered or they are reluctant to
bite.

They hide under stuff, tend to be shy, but even the little ones will
draw up on ya if'n ya mess with 'em. Maybe they're just meaner here.

When my sister was 4, she stepped on a piece of plywood and out came a
big 4-5 foot copperhead. She called out to me, "Look at the big worm."
It was hard to convince her not to make sudden movements while I got
the neighbor and his pistol to shoot the thing. They both stayed 2
feet apart, transfixed, all the while. Dude down the street ate it.


Greg G.

Joe AutoDrill wrote:
A copperhead is a pit viper, same family as rattlesnakes and
cottonmouths, but different genus. They can put a fang into any
part of you, and like all
pit vipers have long retractile fangs that can go through quite a
bit of clothing. Here's a copperhead yawning, but with fangs
retracted http://www.flickr.com/photos/11304433@N00/459385883/.
Here's one with fangs
out--note the sheath around the fangs that slides back as the fangs
go in http://www.flickr.com/photos/11051247@N08/3842903770/.
Here's a copperhead
skull--you can see the fangs more clearly
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malodora/3048537228/.

Beautiful photos... Thanks for sharing.

I'd like to claim credit for them but they aren't mine. It's amazing what
you can find by searching flickr.com.

All my life, I've loved snakes and even owned over 100 at one point,
but since marrying a woman with a death-fear of MICE and RATS it's
hard to own anything that's really any fun any more.

Well, if she's afraid of mice and rats then she should enjoy watching the
snakes eat them.

Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:07:41 -0500, Phisherman wrote:

Copperheads are common, shy, but you always need to know where you
are putting your hands and feet.

We found one in the school yard in grade school. Didn't know it was
dangerous so we picked it up and played with it till recess was over.
Took it in the classroom and teacher had a fit. We took it back out
and turned it loose :-).

We either got one that was very mild mannered or they are reluctant to
bite.

Supposedly most snakebite deaths are from copperheads but also supposedly
that's because they are commonplace. Looking at all the copperhead photos
on flickr it's clear that they are pretty even tempered as venomous snakes
go--there are only a few shots out of hundreds where they have their mouths
open.

"Mark & Juanita" wrote in message
m...
Phisherman wrote:

On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:07:32 +0000 (GMT), Stuart
wrote:

In article
,
Luigi Zanasi wrote:

That's what I like about the Yukon, no snakes or skunks except for
Tory politicians.

The only poisonous snake we have in the UK is the Adder, rarely fatal
except to the very young or very frail. Also very rarely found.

The skunks here are Labour politicians.


We have timber rattlers, water moccasins, pigmy rattler, and
copperhead.

OK, you win. Arizona is viper-poor compared to that inventory -- thank
goodness.

there are 36 different kinds of rattle snakes. arizona has 13 of them, more
than any other state.

http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/arizona-rattlesnakes.shtml

regards,
charlie
cave creek, az

Greg G. wrote:

They hide under stuff, tend to be shy, but even the little ones will
draw up on ya if'n ya mess with 'em. Maybe they're just meaner here.

Or, they may be from putting too much belief in what they read on
Google!

One of the most aggressive snakes in LA when I was growing up were the
copperheads, which I routinely ran across when mowing the 2 acre house
site ... often had to put back away from the damn things as they _advanced_.

Being reptile, maybe it's the difference in regional temperatures?

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

J. Clarke wrote:
Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:07:41 -0500, Phisherman wrote:

Copperheads are common, shy, but you always need to know where you
are putting your hands and feet.

We found one in the school yard in grade school. Didn't know it was
dangerous so we picked it up and played with it till recess was over.
Took it in the classroom and teacher had a fit. We took it back out
and turned it loose :-).

We either got one that was very mild mannered or they are reluctant
to bite.

Supposedly most snakebite deaths are from copperheads but also
supposedly that's because they are commonplace. Looking at all the
copperhead photos on flickr it's clear that they are pretty even
tempered as venomous snakes go--there are only a few shots out of
hundreds where they have their mouths open.

I should add to that though, that any snake turns paranoid when it's
molting--there's a period before their new skin hardens when they are pretty
much blind and they'll strike at anything that they think _might_ be a
threat, so even one that knows you and is so mellow that you feel
comfortable picking it up and carrying it out of the shop may suddenly turn
on you if you catch it at the wrong time.

Swingman said:

Greg G. wrote:

They hide under stuff, tend to be shy, but even the little ones will
draw up on ya if'n ya mess with 'em. Maybe they're just meaner here.

Or, they may be from putting too much belief in what they read on
Google!

There's a lot of that going on.

One of the most aggressive snakes in LA when I was growing up were the
copperheads, which I routinely ran across when mowing the 2 acre house
site ... often had to put back away from the damn things as they _advanced_.

Being reptile, maybe it's the difference in regional temperatures?

Probably has to do with temperature, last meal, etc. All snakes get
rather sluggish while digesting their last conquest or when cold.
But other than eastern diamondbacks and cornered large black racers,
they are the most aggressive snakes I've seen on land in the SE if
disturbed, and as a kid I played with them all. A large, active
copperhead fears nothing. Cottonmouths are no picnic either.

LA would be Lower Alabama, or the one in SoCal?


Greg G.

Greg G. said:

When my sister was 4, she stepped on a piece of plywood and out came a
big 4-5 foot copperhead. She called out to me, "Look at the big worm."

Come to think about it, it may not have been quite that large, more
like 3 1/2', but when you're a kid, something that large transfixed in
a striking pose looks mighty big - and grows larger every second. ;-)


Greg G.

Well, if she's afraid of mice and rats then she should enjoy watching the
snakes eat them.

Exactly!!! Go figure.

We tried breaking her of her fear with a baby Corn Snake a few years ago
but... Alas, no luck.
--


Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
(800) 871-5022
01.908.542.0244
Automatic / Pneumatic Drills: http://www.AutoDrill.com
Multiple Spindle Drills: http://www.Multi-Drill.com
Production Tapping: http://Production-Tapping-Equipment.com/
Flagship Site: http://www.Drill-N-Tap.com
VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/user/AutoDrill

V8013-R

Greg G. wrote:
Swingman said:

LA would be Lower Alabama, or the one in SoCal?

hehe ... bayou country, Bubba! As in not that far from NOLA.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

Swingman said:

Greg G. wrote:
Swingman said:

LA would be Lower Alabama, or the one in SoCal?

hehe ... bayou country, Bubba! As in not that far from NOLA.

Yeah, just as I hit the send button I remembered your last name and
went D'oh! Seriously...


Greg G.

In NC, we had 4 types of poisonous snakes: Copperheads, rattler,
coral and cotton mouth, depending on what part of the state you
were in. In Raleigh, where we lived, I never saw a coral snake
and think they were limited to the southern part of the state.
However, having lived one summer as a kid on an island in a
southern Arkansas bayou, I KNOW that a cotton mouth looks like and
how they act. The experts tell us that they don't exist as far
north as Raleigh. grin

One afternoon, I was walking down the creek behind our home toward
the lake. It was about a 1/4mile stroll and I loved looking at
the plants growing on the creek bank. As I rounded a corner, I
found myself about 10' away from two very fat cotton mouths
lounging in a dead tree in the creek. One slid off his branch
into the water and started swimming toward me.

Trust me, this old fat boy can walk on water when he's
sufficiently motivated. I 'walked' clear back to the house,
removing Mr. Browning's 12 gauge from my basement office and
returned to the creek. Both of my newfound friends were in their
tree again, so I liquefied both, saving the heads to show my
friend, who taught Biology at NCSU.

Copperheads were common as dirt in the yard and loved sliding
around under the pine straw used as mulch around the house's
foundation and naturally in the pine woods. You soon learned that
if you were going to remove the cover of a lawn sprinkler's valve
box, you did it with a screwdriver since a copperhead would
undoubtedly be inside. They'd always just slither away. None of
the family ever had a problem with them, other than being
surprised by them when you'd scare one up.

While the same fellow who had assured me that there were no
cottonmouths in the Raleigh area told me that there WERE rattlers,
I never saw any, and the same can be said for coral snakes, though
folk would see a King and mistakenly call it a coral. Remember,
red against yellow, kill a fellow. Red against black, venom lack.

It's the corals that have a very tiny mouth, but they make up for
it with a neurotoxin venom and were considered to be the most
deadly of the NC snakes.

As an aside, copperheads took a toll on dogs and particularly on
cats.

--
Nonny

You cannot make a stupid kid smart by
handing him a diploma. Schools need standards
to measure the amount of education actually
absorbed by children. Don’t sacrifice the smart
kids to make the dumb ones feel good about themselves.

One of the aggressive snakes - along with the Timber Rattlesnake A large size
one. Normally it takes only one lunge to kill.

Martin

Joe AutoDrill wrote:
A copperhead is a pit viper, same family as rattlesnakes and cottonmouths,
but different genus. They can put a fang into any part of you, and like
all
pit vipers have long retractile fangs that can go through quite a bit of
clothing. Here's a copperhead yawning, but with fangs retracted
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11304433@N00/459385883/. Here's one with
fangs
out--note the sheath around the fangs that slides back as the fangs go in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11051247@N08/3842903770/. Here's a
copperhead
skull--you can see the fangs more clearly
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malodora/3048537228/.

Beautiful photos... Thanks for sharing.

All my life, I've loved snakes and even owned over 100 at one point, but
since marrying a woman with a death-fear of MICE and RATS it's hard to own
anything that's really any fun any more.

Swingman wrote:

Mark & Juanita wrote:
Phisherman wrote:

Copperheads are common, shy, but you always need to know
where you are putting your hands and feet.

IIRC, they can only bite at the flaps of skin (between fingers, toes,
etc)
because they can't open their mouths wide enough to strike other parts of
an adult human -- is that correct or am I thinking of a different viper?

Sounds like you are describing a coral snake ... although they don't
really have to chew on you, they do bite more than strike. Common in
this part of the country (TX).


That's it. Coral snakes were the ones I was thinking of.



--

There is never a situation where having more rounds is a disadvantage

Rob Leatham