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USMturtleguy
Junior Member
MS
218 Posts |
 Posted - 03/01/2006 : 00:59:29
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Even being a herpetologist that often looks for snakes, I too am often surprised by them. However, I think a greater awareness is needed of many people who still think snakes are evil and "the only good snake is a dead snake." First of all, I do not conform to the "bunny hugger" attitude of not killing any snakes, but the 'shoot first ask questions later' is a completely uninformed decision. One reason is the misidentification of snakes. I often times find people explaining how they shot a rattlesnake/copperhead/cottonmouth and it really turns out to be a grey rat snake or a kingsnake, both are benificial snakes. Next (to stick up for the venemous kind), venemous snake bites are extremely rare with over 3/4 of those people that were bit were trying to kill the snake. According to Whit Gibbons, "more people are killed by people turning soft drink machines over on themselves than by rattlesnakes," or by dogs each year. But do people go out and ban vending machines or shoot all of the pit bulls in the United States? Of course not.
We have more knowledge today concerning snakes and venemous snakes than ever before. We have 41 species of snakes in Mississippi(maybe a few less because they have been extirpated from MS) and only 6 venemous snakes in Mississippi(Timber, Diamondback, Pygmy Rattlesnakes; Copperhead; Cottomouth; Coral Snake). I think if everyone learned these 6 snakes, as well as teaching every kid how to ID these snakes, we would be able to make informed decisions about snakes. The old saying still applies: If you walk up on a snake and don't know what it is, slowly walk away.
Suggested snake readings:
Snakes of the Southeast by Whit Gibbons & Mike Dorcas (2005) - I got it at Books a Million
Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of East Central North America - another book you can find at any book store.
"Don't Tread on Me" excerpt from "Keeping All the Pieces" by Whit Gibbons (1994)
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sand_manms
Advanced Member
OK! I HAVE ADVANCED, BUT TO WHERE?
3485 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 09:36:07
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While I can tell the difference between a pit viper and a harmless snake there are plenty who can't. While I will not bother most snakes I will say that any poisonous snake that invades my yard has just taken it's life in it's own hands(no pun intended). We have a large supply of diamondbacks, ground(pygmy) rattlers, copperheads and cottonmouths. ANY than invade the yard that I see are history. While we have woods around us I do not want them taking up residence in my yard.
It's not the quanity of kills made but the quality of the hunt
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brewer03
Advanced Member
MS
4071 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 10:30:33
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I try not to kill kingsnakes but ifn my wife comes in running from a snake in the yard, It is usually in my best interest to get rid of the snake by whatever means I have to take. My heeler dogs usually do a perty good job of gettin ole no shoulders before i do..
a bad day hunting is always better than a good day at werk |
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444M
Senior Member
CONFEDERATE-AMERICAN
1847 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 11:35:53
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I try not to kill non-venomous snakes, but sometimes they ask for it. I came home from work one night and a 5foot long chicken snake was climbing straight up the brick wall right by the back door.
Virtute et Armis
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pstone
Better Than Average Member
MS
627 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 16:05:13
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| I usually ground check them to see if they are venomous or not. |
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n/a
deleted
NORTH DELTA
2354 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 17:35:33
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I bring king snakes and rat snakes home and release them in the yard. They are good friends to have in the country. I really don't see the need in killing poisonous snakes around the house, unless, of course, myself or my family is put in immediate danger. And come to think of it, I can't ever think of a single time I have been put in danger by a poisonous snake.
The fear of snakes was started in the Garden of Eden and man has hated snakes since.
Put your trust in God; but mind to keep your powder dry"-Oliver Cromwell
REPORT WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS 1-800-BE-SMART |
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m1aman
Better Than Average Member
MISSISSIPPI
629 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 17:50:24
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| i kill all pits. i ain't taking a chance of getting bitten by a poisonus snake around my house. i kill all racers too, or any snake that shows any aggression. always let the kings go free along with the corn snakes and the roughs. |
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USMturtleguy
Junior Member
MS
218 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 22:31:12
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Once again, more people are killed by doing ordinary things than by venemous snakes each and every year. Driving to work, falling from scaffolding, choking on a hot dog, falling off a tractor, falling out of a treestand, etc. etc. I could go on an on, but the fact is that once you kill one snake in your yard or in the woods, there is another younger one behind it, looking to gain territory. It is a losing battle and the best thing to do, once again, is to respect the animal (esp. the venemous kind) and walk away.
In addition, venemous snakes see it as a final resort to strike in self defense. They risk the possibility of losing a fang and the wonderful venom they use to acquire prey. So they won't bite unless provoked, which most of the time that they are provoked is when someone is attempting to kill the snake. |
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m1aman
Better Than Average Member
MISSISSIPPI
629 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 00:08:11
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| not sure how someone would get bitten trying to kill a snake unless they were trying to choke it. we use hoes, guns, big rocks, limbs etc. and if there is always a younger one waiting then what's the big deal? i killed so many cottonmouths at my place that i went almost two years without seeing one. coincidence? a snake doesn't do much that another animal doesn't do better. i assure coyotes and fox kill a of a lot more mice and rats than snakes do because snakes don't eat very often. frogs eat more insects, fish eat frogs. not really sure what the snake contributes that makes him indispensable. |
Edited by - n/a on 03/02/2006 10:55:12 |
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STRUT STOPPER
Advanced Member
MISSISSIPPI
4123 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 08:16:32
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i don't mind snakes but i'm terrified of spiders
LEAD AIN'T FLYING MEAT AIN'T FRYING |
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brewer03
Advanced Member
MS
4071 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 09:40:20
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i am with ya on the spiders strut got a hole in my ankle from a brown recluse bite many a year ago
a bad day hunting is always better than a good day at werk |
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bmchunter
Junior Member
PURVIS, MS
324 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 15:34:45
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quote:
Originally posted by m1aman
not sure how someone would get bitten trying to kill a snake unless they were trying to choke it.
m1aman, it's a proven fact that most people who get snake bit were attempting to kill the snake when bitten. That being said, I still kill every poisonous snake I see. |
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n/a
deleted
NORTH DELTA
2354 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 18:36:27
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Nothing wrong with racers, m1aman. They are a little fiesty, but harmless.
Put your trust in God; but mind to keep your powder dry"-Oliver Cromwell
REPORT WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS 1-800-BE-SMART |
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m1aman
Better Than Average Member
MISSISSIPPI
629 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2006 : 22:26:36
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fw227, i don't tolerate aggressive animals around my house. racers have been aggressive to me so i waste them.
bmchunter, never knew anyone getting bitten killing a snake. but maybe my friends are smarter than most and keep their distance. |
Edited by - m1aman on 03/04/2006 02:27:28 |
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n/a
deleted
NORTH DELTA
2354 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2006 : 23:27:38
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If I thought you were going to kill me...I'd be agressive too! 
Put your trust in God; but mind to keep your powder dry"-Oliver Cromwell
REPORT WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS 1-800-BE-SMART |
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m1aman
Better Than Average Member
MISSISSIPPI
629 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2006 : 02:28:21
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| Hee Haw!! |
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DRYLOK
Senior Member
SOUTHAVEN MS
1098 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 15:41:36
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FW227 put that thing down and shoot it!
Remember that every day in the woods is a blessing and you should enjoy it to the fullest |
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OutdoorsWoman
Advanced Member
MS
2503 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2006 : 12:42:13
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quote:
Originally posted by FW227
I bring king snakes and rat snakes home and release them in the yard. They are good friends to have in the country. I really don't see the need in killing poisonous snakes around the house, unless, of course, myself or my family is put in immediate danger. And come to think of it, I can't ever think of a single time I have been put in danger by a poisonous snake.
The fear of snakes was started in the Garden of Eden and man has hated snakes since.
Put your trust in God; but mind to keep your powder dry"-Oliver Cromwell
REPORT WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS 1-800-BE-SMART
Rob
You just keep them all on your side of the county line and we'll be ok ... one comes in my yard i'll call ya to come get it |
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sedavis
Starting Member
MS
39 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2006 : 13:29:19
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quote:
Originally posted by FW227
I bring king snakes and rat snakes home and release them in the yard. They are good friends to have in the country.
I don't catch them and put them in the yard, but I don't kill the king, rat or chicken snakes on my place. Since I have been letting them go I have not killed a poisonous snake on my property for the last 3 years.
Yeah, they will make your blood run cold when you see one, but they keep the rodent population down as well. |
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Snakes in Mississippi
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