Snakes & Caves in Florida

[Jont]

This is a serious post:

During my last CCR CAVE training dive, I came across a water moccasin in about 6' of water, needless to say I was terrified, keep in mind that I was bit by a copperhead at the age of 6 and have had a fear of snakes ever since.

What caves am I least likely to encounter these things and what advise can you give me about future encounters?

I;m going to head back down to Florida for the months of April (in a few weeks).

Thanks,

Jon

[tj]

Photo opportunity. Try to get it to bite at the camera. But seriously, leave it be. I wonder what it thinks of you... They are everywhere.

[cavewoman]

Coming from a reptile lover. Water moccasins tend to be shorter, squat snakes with a very evident traingular head. While they are native to florida you are more likely to see common forms of water snakes. Pick up a copy of Roger Conants field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of the Eastern United States for accurate photo ID of various species of reptile and amphibian fauna. Not saying you didn't see a moccasin, just most people tend to think every snake they see in the water is one.

[Jont]

It was definitely a Moccasin, I've been studying snakes for 25 years, what systems are less likely to house them, I think Little river with all of the manmade block and contrete work would qualify, any ideas on locations?

[Jont]

I wish you were correct, the ID was confirmed by me, the instructor and the Rager, basically they all said the same things.....with snakes I'm unlucky.

[cavedivingwoman]

There is an awesome photo of Brett Hemphill cradling a rattlesnake on the ADM web site. I asked him if he were a snake charmer; he said he'd been handling snakes for 30 years. Maybe he can advise you. Do they really swim after people? Also, has anyone ever seen those long brown tree hanging snakes in FL? I think they were in the "Deliverance" movie....

We have rattlesnakes out here but the water is too cold for any reptiles.

[OH]

When I was at Madison Blue last month, someone said they saw a Copperhead in there.
Few days later I saw a "snake" in the entrance to Telford ...

I have no knowledge about snakes, that's probably why I don't like the idea of diving with them too much

[Line Squirrel]

When I was at Madison Blue last month, someone said they saw a Copperhead in there.

Copperheads are rare for Florida. If you do see one in the state of Florida, it will more than likely be in the panhandle. Copperheads, generally, are found further north, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia.

Most Copperheads in FL are misidentified as moccasins and those generally, about 99% of the time, are actualy a non-venomous common brown water snake.

[Walter Pickel]

There is an awesome photo of Brett Hemphill cradling a rattlesnake on the ADM web site.

I can attest to Brett being a snake charmer. I have seen him "rescue" cottonmouths from the middle of roads, clear them away from areas we were diving, etc.

Here is a link ( http://www.walterpickel.com/Expediti...L4rhB&lb=1&s=A ) to one of the pictures I took of Brett. Hilarious how he came about "finding" that snake. Brett was digging in a rock choked fissure (dry) and he said it feel into his lap. He surprised all of us when he walked up with it. It was 28 that day and the snake had been trying to stay warm. Took him about 5 minutes to start waking up.

Video of Brett with the snake - http://www.walterpickel.com/Expediti...4637&k=vFTczLz

[Walter Pickel]

This is a cottonmouth we found hiking around Homosassa

http://www.walterpickel.com/Animals/...bsNmQ&lb=1&s=A

Ancient snake (note her head and spine ridge)...She was NOT aggressive at all, not even when I tripped and braced my fall by putting my hand down 2 feet away from her.