Was this snake venomous?

[JuliusSqueezer]

I still think the flattening of the head just improves vison. Animals who's eyes are set far apart have poor depth perception ....pointing them in the same direction gives stereo view. I really don't think it has anything to do with making them look "menacing" Rattling of the tail is a definate warning or perhaps high hopes that anything they are rattling at will take notice that they are there and not step on them. It could also distract prey's attention away from the biting end that they are positioning for a strike. If a mouse or something is distracted by the vibrating tail, it gives them an edge to launch an attack from the other end

[merc]

The very first snake we had visit our house, just after it was finished and we moved in, was a cute little cottonmouth which took to living on our front stones which bordered a small pond in our front yard. Everytime I would come close, the snake would quickly retreat into a "weep" hole in the front brick wall of our house. I was always amazed how quickly and skillfully the snake could fit through a hole seemingly 1/4 the width of its' body. The scary part about it is that all that existed between the snake and my office was some sheathing, drywall and insulation(or at least I hoped?). I eventually had to call out animal control who snuck up on the snake while it sunned and got it into a lidded bucket. They idendified the snake and then released it into the big lake located away from most homes.

We've always shared our areas with snakes in this part of eastern Texas. Our first snake was an adolescent copperhead which accidentally died when it got caught in the garage door during opening and closing. My wife was too scared to remove it, and so it stayed there half in and half out of the garage door seam until I got home from work early that evening. By that time, the hot sun had so stiffened the snake it was hard to get out of the door.
My son has also already picked up and brought into the house a small garter snake. He tried to show it to my wife.... that was and will be the last time he brings a snake into the house.

Anyway... we've learned to live, for the most part peacefully, with snakes.

BTW, was that last pic I posted at the end of page one, a Kingsnake?

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.

[Ravnos]

Originally Posted by merc

BTW, was that last pic I posted at the end of page one, a Kingsnake?

Looks like a juvenile yellowbelly racer. Again, completely harmless... at that size, he's probably eating crickets, moths and other soft bodied insects.

Rav

[natedoggSXE]

A totally 100% harmless snake. Totally 100% murder.

No snake has the right to be killed, just like you and I. We are all part of the world, this ecosystem, the ecology of the world. We all play am important role. He was just living life and now he is gone, for no reason. Even if he was venomous, he still should deserve his space, his respect. They give us that, so we should give them that too.

[telefrag]

Originally Posted by Ravnos

Looks like a juvenile yellowbelly racer. Again, completely harmless... at that size, he's probably eating crickets, moths and other soft bodied insects.

Rav

could be a buttermilk racer too.

[Ed_r]

I took this photo of a Banded rattlesnake BW and I caught while out roadcrusing in North Florida last year

Hmmm didnt know the Banded Rattlesnake was native to FL. Actualy wasn't sure there was even a Banded Rattlesnake. :P There probably is, for all i know, but none in Fl naturally.

[JuliusSqueezer]

lol thanks Ed...I corrected that...I was talking about rattlesnakes and watersnakes at 4 something am and apparently got my wires crossed.

[Wrasse]

Well, I have no idea what it is, but those pics were very upsetting.

It has a headshape like the water python and a body like the Keelback. Both water snakes. Both harmless. Both snakes I keep here, so the pics had extra punch.