Snakes & Caves in Florida

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Couple of a nice lookin Diamondback I snapped near a dive site here in Wakulla-land




I got pretty close to it, and it reared up to strike if need-be, but didn't... instead it relaxed and finished crossing the road slowly.

[GLM]

They're all part our beautiful Florida paradise. Just leave them alone! Snakes are better than the rats that they eat.

[Walter Pickel]

They're all part our beautiful Florida paradise. Just leave them alone!

I agree, here is an eastern rat snake I found hanging in the ceiling of a dry cave here in Florida

[Kevin Carlisle]

I have been working with venomous snakes for years. Fixing to finally get around to having my captive venomous permit. I have never once seen a cotton mouth chase someone.. Just people who happened to be fleeing in the same direction as the snake!

Tony DC

I worked in a swamp when I was 18 helping a herpatoligist catch moccasins. We caught over 1100 and not a one was aggressive until we had them cornered. I think most know that myth is busted. I even swam with one at 30ft at a spring.

[Skorpiov]

I've only had close encounters with 15-20 (swam with hundreds). I've had two come AT me on land and several change directions in the lake and come AT me. Maybe they are just angry in Texas, or maybe its a slightly different variety?

I would advise caution when telling people they are NOT agressive. I wouldnt want to be responsble for having someone get to close thinking they were not and get bit. If you're a snake handler, ok, you are probably never going to get bit, because of your familiarity with their personalities. Its us skeered folks that I worry about.

I used to train attack dogs. I'm completely comfortable with dogs, because I have observed so many of them I recognize behaviours to beware of. Maybe the same kind of thing. Maybe not... just sayin.

[Sludge]

Snakes are lovely creatures.

They make a lovely pair of boots, maybe.

[Art Greenberg]

Maybe they are just angry in Texas, or maybe its a slightly different variety?

An observation: Those folks who like/keep/study snakes seem to agree that Agkistrodon piscivorus (water moccasin/cottonmouth) are not aggressive. Those who don't, and who have happened across them in the wild, seem to agree that they are.

Conjecture: This situation is not going to change. Maybe its time to stop arguing about it.

They make a lovely pair of boots, maybe.

It would take quite a few of these animals to make a pair of shoes, let alone boots. They're just not that big.

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Art

[Skorpiov]

Gosh Art, I didnt realize I sounded like I was arguing. I thought I might be making a point. Really sorry if it bugged you.

[Art Greenberg]

Gosh Art, I didnt realize I sounded like I was arguing. I thought I might be making a point. Really sorry if it bugged you.

Nothing from you or anyone in particular, Steve. And it doesn't bug me. Its just a waste of bandwidth IMO.

There are authoritative sources available on line.

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Art

[gasdiver]

An observation: Those folks who like/keep/study snakes seem to agree that Agkistrodon piscivorus (water moccasin/cottonmouth) are not aggressive. Those who don't, and who have happened across them in the wild, seem to agree that they are.

Conjecture: This situation is not going to change. Maybe its time to stop arguing about it.
Art

+1

I've seen a moccasin try to get into an inflatable raft while the occupant was trying to beat him off with a paddle. This particular incident was very funny, as an observer in a canoe 30 ft away. However, since the paddler did not initiate the encounter nothing will convince me that they can not be aggressive.