Telford

[Line Squirrel]

My point is, I have yet to find anybody that has been bitten by these super aggressive snakes that "chase" people down.

[a64pilot]

I don't have an answer for that, I can tell you I've been run up a tree by a Hog in the same swamp too, the Hog didn't bite me either. Maybe Water Moccasins aren't very good at biting people?
Most venomous snake bites are to the hands, obviously the snakes aren't jumping into the air to bite hands, it's from people that want for some reason to catch or harass the snake.
But, being a Parent and Grandparent, venomous snakes and hornets, wasps nests etc. are exterminated around my house.
If I knew how to attach a picture, I'd show you the 4+ ft. rattle snake that chased me to the car at my mailbox, his mistake as the car got him.

[Line Squirrel]

So Water Moccasins aren't any more aggressive than a wild hog, a hornets nest or a rattle snake.

THAT I agree with.

There seems to be a myth out there that if they see you, they will chase you down because they are so aggressive, it's absurd.

[a64pilot]

No, I haven't heard anyone say that if the snake sees you, it chases you. I have been chased by them though, I assume they are being territorial, possibly protecting something. I've been chased away by small birds protecting their nest for example. Who hasn't seen hawks being attacked by smaller birds? I don't know what's going on with that either, but I have seen it, it does exist.
I don't care WHY the snake chases, but I've had them come after me.
I'm not from up North, but my understanding is there is not many more animals more dangerous than a Bull Moose in mating season.
Get in a fence with a Bull, it's not going to eat you, surely it doesn't feel threatened by you, has no females or family to protect, yet it will stomp you to death, sometimes. Why?

[rddvet]

When was the last time you got bit?

I haven't been. I have been in many a pirogue duck hunting and have them attempt to climb the gunnel to get in. Did the snake each try to climb in the boat to attack me like a rabid dog? No. When pushed away with a paddle do they become very aggressive and attempt to come after me more? Yes. Would any venomous snake do the same? Probably. But water moccassins are particuarly nasty compared to other venomous snakes I've been around including rattlesnakes. I've also had a few in my garage in Louisiana and they are very persistent at not getting relocated i.e. using a broom to push them out, they come after you.

Now as for people being bitten, my grade school friend Davis and I were on his family's property in Covington, La being young boys and looking around the banks of the river. Apparently it was moccassin mating season and we walked into the wrong area. The snake literally followed him about 10 feet before catching up to him and biting him. He was rushed to the ER and hospitalized. I would call that an aggressive biting snake that will chase you.

I think it's all about where you grew up. We have way more nasty snakes and gators (and hogs) in louisiana than here in Fl. I think your perspective was different if you got to play on the dirty river banks and swamps I did as a kid.

But I think we should put this whole conversation behind us and try to be friendly. Wana come out and dive with us. You can be lead diver. We're hitting Telford. Just a joke. Had to add a little humor.

[Line Squirrel]

But I think we should put this whole conversation behind us and try to be friendly. Wana come out and dive with us. You can be lead diver. We're hitting Telford. Just a joke. Had to add a little humor.

LOL - I used to dive Telford alot when you could drive up to the spring. I would be there 5am-6am and get a long dive in before I had to open the dive shop at 8am Sometimes I ran a little late. There were a couple times I had people waiting at the door as I drove up, opened the shop still in my drysuit LOL

[SkimFisher]

I don't think any of us are trying to perpetuate a myth. You asked for evidence, and we are submitting to you our experiences. Do I think that every moccasin I may happen to cross paths with will run me down? No. Do I take my previous experiences into account? Yes. Why wouldn't I? Do past experiences not dictate future decisions? It's a matter of avoidance. Why play with fire? Do I find myself in the habit of standing in the path of oncoming snakes, venomous or otherwise, just to see what will happen? No more than I do with automobiles. Call it personal choice.

[JerseyJersey]

divers are in the water, the snakes "safe place" is in the water. I see a confilict of interest here. I would not take for granted that snakes like to ignore people. Someone will get bit.

[mdax]

Conservation in my mind means don't screw up the cave, not letting aggressive snakes bite me.
I haven't been bit, because back in the military when I was pursued by water moccasins I killed them. Now that I'm older my general rule is when things try and hurt/kill/poison me I shoot them.

[pink arrows]

Now that I'm older my general rule is when things try and hurt/kill/poison me I shoot them.

note to self...