¡Snek!

[deadshank 24653]

21 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

Has anyone on here been bit by a copperhead? Supposedly it isn't usually that bad as long as you aren't allergic.

I'm sure it has happened in the history of the world.

[Native Horn 3504]

31 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

Has anyone on here been bit by a copperhead? Supposedly it isn't usually that bad as long as you aren't allergic.

Couple points here:  1. How would someone know they are allergic without first being bitten?, and 2. If someone was previously bitten and discovered they aren't allergic, would they just go "Eh, screw it, I'll let it bite me since I'm not allergic?"

[Native Horn 3504]

31 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

Has anyone on here been bit by a copperhead? Supposedly it isn't usually that bad as long as you aren't allergic.

Couple points here:  1. How would someone know they are allergic without first being bitten?, and 2. If someone was previously bitten and discovered they aren't allergic, would they just go "Eh, screw it, I'll let it bite me since I'm not allergic?"

[The Gimp 346]

A lady down the street from us spent a few days in the local ICU after a bite.  They had previously also nearly lost their cocker spaniel to a bite.

[Jerry Callo 8704]

I knew a guy that finished Ironman Texas after getting bit by a copperhead.  Happened after dark on the run portion - he was clearly not that fast of a runner.  He lived.

[McFly 606]

44 minutes ago, The Gimp said:

A lady down the street from us spent a few days in the local ICU after a bite.  They had previously also nearly lost their cocker spaniel to a bite.

Similar to what happened to my neighbor in Houston. Bit 3 times by a baby copperhead when she walked out on her back deck.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

I’m going on the record that I like copperheads more than 50% of the posters on this site.

[Homesickhorn 2202]

Babies are the worst due to the fact that they’re not yet familiar with their venom sacks, and their capability. They get scared, bite, and go all in. Whereas an adult knows to strike and haul ass, the baby typically empties its venom due to lack of know-how.

[TwiceHorn 31495]

1 minute ago, Homesickhorn said:

Babies are the worst due to the fact that they’re not yet familiar with their venom sacks, and their capability. They get scared, bite, and go all in. Whereas an adult knows to strike and haul ass, the baby typically empties its venom due to lack of know-how.

I have heard that, yes. Or something similar.  I see a fair number of juvys on the MTB trails about this time of year.  I steer clear but wish them no harm.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

10 minutes ago, Patricio Swayze said:

I’m going on the record that I like copperheads more than 50% of the posters on this site.

Prettiest North American snek in my opinion 

[South Austin 52519]

1 hour ago, Patricio Swayze said:

I’m going on the record that I like sneks more than 50% of the posters on this site.

Fixed.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Fixed.

Accurate.

[Walte464 450]

SNEK strolling along the street a couple houses over.

[Homesickhorn 2202]

SNEK strolling along the street a couple houses over.

Please don’t kill it. And try your best to prevent the white knights who want to. Let it go, or use a fucking spatula to shovel it into a box, and take it somewhere else.
You’re looking at arguably the most non aggressive venomous snake in North America. And even if it bit someone, it would have to literally gnaw on said person for almost three to five minutes for there to be any semblance of venom-induced problem. Majority comes from infection.

[TwiceHorn 31495]

16 minutes ago, Homesickhorn said:

Please don’t kill it. And try your best to prevent the white knights who want to. Let it go, or use a fucking spatula to shovel it into a box, and take it somewhere else.
You’re looking at arguably the most non aggressive venomous snake in North America. And even if it bit someone, it would have to literally gnaw on said person for almost three to five minutes for there to be any semblance of venom-induced problem. Majority comes from infection.

An interesting article on coral snakes worldwide, including some melanistic and albino variants that don't look much like coral snakes at all. http://thevenominterviews.com/2016/06/02/mythbusting-coral-snakes/

And the part about "chewing" or lengthy exposure may be mythical.  The venom is sufficiently slow acting that there's plenty of time to seek treatment and the prognosis is good.  

Seems like if you get bit, you should see a doctor PDQ.

[gsoda3 3263]

21 minutes ago, Homesickhorn said:

And even if it bit someone, it would have to literally gnaw on said person for almost three to five minutes for there to be any semblance of venom-induced problem. Majority comes from infection.

i'm part of a snake id group on facebook and this is one of the most common myths dispelled by the moderators.

[TwiceHorn 31495]

For reference, a coral snake skull.

[Willfully Horn 8027]

Coral snakes are related to cobras. It is the American cobra. 
 

https://www.britannica.com/animal/coral-snake

[Homesickhorn 2202]

Well suck me sideways (pun kind of intended).
I still, given my experience with the critters, still think that they’re pretty docile. I guess it’s a fuck around and find out type of deal.

[McFly 606]

19 hours ago, Homesickhorn said:

Babies are the worst due to the fact that they’re not yet familiar with their venom sacks, and their capability. They get scared, bite, and go all in. Whereas an adult knows to strike and haul ass, the baby typically empties its venom due to lack of know-how.

This is what the hospital told her too.

[High Plains Drifter 11050]

On 4/29/2021 at 3:16 PM, SimonBolivar said:

Has anyone on here been bit by a copperhead? Supposedly it isn't usually that bad as long as you aren't allergic.

 

They are pit vipers (like rattlesnakes and moccasins). Their venom is pretty much the same as other pit vipers, I would imagine, or any difference in potency is going to be relatively small. The difference is that copperheads' defensive bites are more likely to be "dry bites" with no venom injected compared to defensive bites of moccasins or rattlesnakes. Still get punctured by the fangs, still hurt like hell, still good chance of infection, but low chance of getting envenomated.

They are also not very aggressive. You pretty much have to actually step on one before they will strike (or try to pick one up). They would much rather just lay low and hope you never see them.

 

[miguelito 11266]

Envenomated is the name of my new metal band.

[markstanco 12577]

I’m going on the record that I like copperheads more than 50% of the posters on this site.

Which side am on?

[SurlyBDR 22805]

Enjoyed watching this dude retreat his position after seeing me walk up to take his picture. 

[Prepuce of Doom 21079]

Birb tred on snek

 

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Awesome ratsnake SurlyBDR.

Well, it was a very active day out in the Katy Prairie.  I figured it would be a good day to go with all the rain that we had, but wasn't expecting all the flooding.  It was cool to sit in my truck and look out at the clear water on the gravel road and see tons of crawfish, birds, snakes and large fish.  In total I saw 14 snakes, 6 different species, one of which was a "lifer" (first time catching one).

When I got there, I saw a couple of Ribbon Snakes, a Dekay's Brown Snake, some sort of Nerodia (I think a plain bellied watersnake) and a nice looking Broad Banded watersnake swam across the road in front of me.  Homesickhorn and his son were on their way to meet me, so while I waited I just went back and forth on Snek Road.  On one end I saved a couple of turtles from being roadkill.  On the second one I noticed it had a leach on it.  I don't recall ever seeing a leach growing up in the NW burbs of Houston.  Turns out it is a Turtle Leach and only likes their blood.

I started to head back to the beginning of the road to meet up with Homesick and came across a nice Texas Ratsnake.  Maybe 3.5' long.  He wasn't too fond of me.

Then a little further down the road, after a watersnake tried to get up in my wheel well, I caught this Ribbon Snake and decided to hold onto it to show Homesick's son...

After meeting up with them, we turned around and headed down the road.  Within a few minutes we see a ribbon swimming and as we stop to show his son, Homesick spots another Dekay's Brown swimming next to the truck.  A second later while we are looking at the snakes, a big fat Tilapia (we think it was) swims his ass across the road right in front of us.  The water was barely deep enough.  We head down the road and come to a dry patch on the road and see a snake.  From afar I thought it was a big Ribbon Snake.  We jump out and I grab it and discover it is a Graham's Crayfish Snake.  First one I have ever caught or even seen live in person.  We were stoked.

We all needed to head out, Homesick lead the way...

A ways down the road, I see him swerve to avoid something, and it turns out to be a Cottonmouth.  Not but 25 yards away I saw a second one.  Both were juveniles.  here was the first one...

Not but maybe another mile up the road, at a stop sign I come across this little shit.  Really, I sat it on the bedcover and it shat itself and rolled around in it.  Glad I was wearing gloves.  First Hognose of the year...

[miguelito 11266]

We've joked on this thread about the fact that venomous sneks have slotted pupils, while nonvenomous snek has round pupils.  It's true, but who's going to get close enough to see?  Well, these fantastic pictures do a good job of showing that.  So if you encounter a snake in the wild and want to see its pupils, make sure you have Patricio Swayze and his camera with you.

Seriously, great pictures.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Hahaha, thanks miguelito.

I *think* the only venomous snake in North America with round pupils is the Coral Snake.  I feel really bad for them, and especially Milksnakes that are killed because of ignorance. 

I am heading back to the prairie tomorrow morning since the conditions are so good right now.  Also because while I have two bachelors degrees, 13 years in one field, speak a few languages and work well with others, I am apparently unemployable. 

[NWBuck 8571]

1 hour ago, Patricio Swayze said:

Also because while I have two bachelors degrees, 13 years in one field, speak a few languages and work well with others, I am apparently unemployable. 

It might also be the fact that wherever you are, you tend to attract sneks. I can imagine that being a sort of deal breaker in most corporate settings... well, other than law firms, that is.

[Walte464 450]

Have y’all ever seen 1 snake devouring another? We picked them up to see what was going on as they were right next to the house. @Patricio Swayze

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Well shit. Nope, I don’t think I have seen that. Well, not in person. Especially not two ribbon snakes. How does the water take the length?

[Homesickhorn 2202]

A couple more of Patricio’s unicorn.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

For our region, I still need to find a mud snake and a milk snake. But we will need to head to the humble or Conroe areas for them.

[Homesickhorn 2202]

Text me when you head out there manana. I drop Lil Homesick off at school at 7:25am, and I’m off tomorrow.

[Walte464 450]

48 minutes ago, Patricio Swayze said:

Well shit. Nope, I don’t think I have seen that. Well, not in person. Especially not two ribbon snakes. How does the water take the length?

Just saw a YouTube video that stated that’s how they mate? Is that right?

[Pescado_Rojo 19423]

10 hours ago, Walte464 said:

Just saw a YouTube video that stated that’s how they mate? Is that right?

I always thought "giving head" was just a figure of speech. I guess these sneks take it pretty seriously. 

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

12 hours ago, Patricio Swayze said:

Hahaha, thanks miguelito.

I *think* the only venomous snake in North America with round pupils is the Coral Snake.  I feel really bad for them, and especially Milksnakes that are killed because of ignorance. 

I am heading back to the prairie tomorrow morning since the conditions are so good right now.  Also because while I have two bachelors degrees, 13 years in one field, speak a few languages and work well with others, I am apparently unemployable. 

Take snek charmer off your resume' maybe ?

[hookemATL 11758]

Mad props to you, Swayze.  I know the unemployment game, and I really hate to hear that for you.  But keep doing what you are doing with the snake pics, you need to do things that give peace to your soul.  Beyond that, you are giving joy and educating others about some of the coolest creatures in our natural world.

I went fishing out at Brushy Creek last week and while the fish were biting, the snakes were abundant.  I was out there for ~90 mins or so and saw at least 5 water snakes of some type or the other.  Always keep it in my mind when wet wading anyway, but was extra cautious this trip since this is such an active time for the slitherererers.

[Atxracer 797]

12 hours ago, Walte464 said:

Have y’all ever seen 1 snake devouring another? We picked them up to see what was going on as they were right next to the house

I didn't take this pic but this coral was eating a rattle snek in the middle of the fairway in my neighborhood last October.  

[Wally Pryor 5261]

Wait....Coral > Rattler? 

[RPM 26322]

1 hour ago, Wally Pryor said:

Wait....Coral > Rattler? 

Better uni.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

13 minutes ago, RPM said:

Better uni.

WHAT ? No way.....You must be an Astros fan!!

[deadshank 24653]

14 hours ago, Walte464 said:

Have y’all ever seen 1 snake devouring another? We picked them up to see what was going on as they were right next to the house. @Patricio Swayze

Why, yes.  (this video has been posted here before)

[RPM 26322]

12 minutes ago, Onboard 2.0 said:

WHAT ? No way.....You must be an Astros fan!!

The rainbow is one of the greatest sports jerseys ever.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

11 minutes ago, RPM said:

The rainbow is one of the greatest sports jerseys ever.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... Wait, y....y...you were serious weren't you ?

[RPM 26322]

Just now, Onboard 2.0 said:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... Wait, y....y...you were serious weren't you ?

[4th and 5 4914]

On 4/29/2021 at 7:20 PM, Homesickhorn said:

Babies are the worst due to the fact that they’re not yet familiar with their venom sacks, and their capability. They get scared, bite, and go all in. Whereas an adult knows to strike and haul ass, the baby typically empties its venom due to lack of know-how.

Not true about the "know how" BS. It's a reptile. Not a chimpanzee.

Larger pit viper = more venom = more damage.

 

On 4/29/2021 at 10:27 PM, Homesickhorn said:

Please don’t kill it. And try your best to prevent the white knights who want to. Let it go, or use a fucking spatula to shovel it into a box, and take it somewhere else.
You’re looking at arguably the most non aggressive venomous snake in North America. And even if it bit someone, it would have to literally gnaw on said person for almost three to five minutes for there to be any semblance of venom-induced problem. Majority comes from infection.

Also not true.

But it is true they are not aggressive. In fact they are less aggressive then most snakes, venomous or not.

I've carefully picked up a coral snake barehanded.

I have not picked up any pit vipers.

On 4/30/2021 at 2:39 PM, McFly said:

This is what the hospital told her too.

No surprise they are not experts

17 hours ago, miguelito said:

We've joked on this thread about the fact that venomous sneks have slotted pupils, while nonvenomous snek has round pupils.  It's true, but who's going to get close enough to see?  Well, these fantastic pictures do a good job of showing that.  So if you encounter a snake in the wild and want to see its pupils, make sure you have Patricio Swayze and his camera with you.

Seriously, great pictures.

Pit vipers have elliptical pupils, but in the dark, they expand and they appear round.

Coral snakes have round pupils.

Some mildly venomous snakes have elliptical pupils.

Some mildly venomous snakes have round pupils.

Pupil size is a tool for identification. But it is just one tool and it is not foolproof.

 

15 hours ago, Walte464 said:

Have y’all ever seen 1 snake devouring another? We picked them up to see what was going on as they were right next to the house. @Patricio Swayze

 

Hard to be 100 from the picture but I think those might be patchnose snakes which eat other snakes and reptiles.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Today wasn't as productive as I thought it would be.  Saw a lot of ribbon snakes all morning, then finally a 5' ratsnake. 

We left for lunch and on the way back saw this dummy of a ratsnake trying to take a warm bath in a flooded turn in the road.  Got him out of the road.

[Homesickhorn 2202]

And I almost ran the poor fucker over. Maybe it was because I was excited to get my truck unstuck.
Here’s a frog about a 1/4 mile down the road while Patricio was fondling rat snek.

[thunderlounge 7866]

On 5/3/2021 at 2:20 PM, deadshank said:

Why, yes.  (this video has been posted here before)

Indigo videos never get old.