That is a common mistake. Don't feel bad about it.
That is a common mistake. Don't feel bad about it.
A lot of people see the Midland Water Snake, and say it is a Cottonmouth or other harmful snake.
Most people do not properly identify snakes, but some poeple do.
These types of snakes are growing in number and they will become more common in the near future.
Raporter- great link for snake info. Thanks for sharing!
What I saw was 100% a copperhead. I understand most people that are not familiar with snakes would mix the up trying to identify them but being only 12-15 ft away and looking at it for almost 10 minutes, I have no doubt it was a copperhead. Here is a pic of the two snakes. But its just like fishing stories... unless you have pictures its just a story.... LOL
Copperhead
Northern Water Snake
Scott
LOOK at this story from this JUNE 2011!
http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-frank...,2536191.story
and the quote from INDIANA DNR: "DNR officials said the poisonous snake can be found in Franklin County where Zach got bit, however, sightings are uncommon."
Sightings are uncommon, but this is evidence they are here in indiana. Plus if it was a baby that bit him. Mom and Dad had to find each other to mate. Meaning there may be more out there than most people know...??? just food for thought!
Scott
Do copperheads visit the water?
About 8 years ago killed a very aggressive snake, which i found out after examination had smallish thin curved fangs. I kept shooo'ing it away(after dark catfishing), but it simply refused to leave me be. After whacking it purty good with a stout stick, i figured i had changed his mind....a few minutes later, its right back at my feet, and not happy.
Needless to say, i left after that.
I had assumed it was a mocasin, and to date has been the only snake ive ever seen or found that wasnt just a typical water snake.
It is funny though, EVERYBODY has seen mocasins near water, i mean talk to anybody at the water, and they've all seen them, we must be over run with them...
Suposedly, many years ago(late fifties i think) a man was killed at whitewater memorial while swimming after being bitten numerous times from snakes in the water. I and countless others in this area have heard this story for years, any truth to it, i dunno, but a whole lotta folks, old and young have been told about it.
HB
I have seen alot of copperheads swimming in water where I hunt in Indiana,,its a 700acre swamp,,damned by the beaver,,they swim! Last Sundays Bloominton/Bedford paper,,had a article in it, woman was hiking at Griffy Lake Preserve at Bloomington, and her Irish Setter got bitten by a 5' long timber rattler,,,and survived,,after she carried it out and took it to vet,,the medication used on the dog,,cost mim,,1200.00 and wasn't antivenom..you have to log in to read the article,,but it was pretty interesting.
Dog survives bite by timber rattlesnake at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve [log in]
Hey Cevans the jerks at that rag want you to charge you to join, no thanks.
Sorry about the jerks at the rag,,here is another link with a short story but not as detailed as the one I was hoping to bring up on the net,,I get the paper,,didn't know they charged..and i know I won't pay for it on line,,its not worth it.
bloomington - Indiana Home Street
I know right now,,the heat is drying things out,,and the snakes are moving closer to what water they can find,,and so are the deer,,had the kiddie pools out in the yard last nite from the grandkids no older than 4 that played in it,,and at 2 am the deer started coming out of the woods by the house,,drinking out of them,,now that is a first for me,,as where I live,,due to the hunting pressure,,there is no way to humanize the deer around me,,but they must be desparate enough for clean water to come within 20ft of my front door and drink from them,,I filled the 4 fter up beside the house where they came up for tonite. Will see what happens again,