Rattlesnakes in MO (Poplar Bluff, Branson, Florida: house, live, garden)

[DocGSD]

Hey fellow Missourians! I must say, I am a bit shocked right now. I havent lived in Missouri all that long and I didnt know that there were rattlesnakes in MO. I have about 10 acres of woodland hill's here on my land that is a mess of brush after the ics storm a few months ago. From my name "GSD" you may be able to tell that I raise German Shepherd Dogs. Monday, I found one of my dogs swolen and sick on my back patio. I was obviously upset. She is a small 6 month old Shepherd. Later in the day, I found a 2 foot long Timber Rattlesnake dead along side my house. It appears as if my dog found the snake and brought it up to the house to "show off" as she often does to different things. I have never seen a rattlesnake and had no idea they were in MO. I called the dept of conservation and they said that they are rare in my part of the state and it was a bit early to see them but not unheard of. After several hundreds of dollars, my pup is doing better but still suffering and has no use of her front legs. If you have woodland on your property, look out! Just wanted to share this. It was a Timber Rattlesnake.

Snakes of Missouri: Venomous Snakes

[ShadowCaver]

Doc - sorry to hear about your pup, but yea, rattlers can be found, just like most other kinds of critters, just about anywhere, no matter where some goofy person tried to draw a line on a map denoting where such and such can be found... Heck, look at those rolling balls called armadillos - years ago, that line was much further south, whereas now ya get to go bowling in your car in much of southern Missouri. [no, no no,,, I am not advocating killing or harming any creature - 'tis was a joke, maybe warped, but still twas humour ]. For most part, recalled hearing of rattlers mainly in the SW - but as the MDC site indicates [now] they are statewide. Just adds more excitement to hiking! Be careful, and aware out there, and everywhere for that matter.

[Northwoods Voyager]

Oh, Doc...so very sorry about your furry friend. Terrible. But s ShadowCaver says, all kinds of snake seem to be appearing in more parts of Missouri. Our dog that we had many years ago had been bitten on her head once by a snake. She must have been poking around in the weeds. Vet said because it was not a venomous snake she would be okay. We were all lucky.

Again, sad about your pet. Good luck.

Hi Shadow!!!

[Inoxkeeper]

Rattlers have always been in MO. They aren't the only bad snakes in MO but most won't hurt you if you are cautious. Copperheads and cottonmouths are pretty common.
I know a lady that got bit in the leg by a copperhead. She said she would rather give birth to 3 big babies with no meds over getting hit by a copperhead again. It's that painful!

[mamagator54]

Sorry to hear about your dog. Glad it's getting better.
I have a terrible phobia about snakes. I once refused to go back into my garden because of a HUGE snake that went across my feet! My husband had to pick everything and bring it into the house for me to can.

Before we decided to move to MO, I went online and googled snakes in Missouri. I forced myself to look at all the snakes. ( I won't look at them in books or watch them on tv.) The first things I bought after coming to Missouri was a pair of knee-high snake proof boots. And they are now out of the closet and sitting by the door. I won't go walking on my property without them! I love to go mushroom hunting, but, I am so scared of coming across a snake, poisonous or not.. I HATE them.

I have been in MO for 1 year now and I have only seen two snakes, both were black snakes and not on my property but on the road.

Just the sight of a snake sends chills down my spine.

[Darlynn0217]

Sorry to hear about the pup! Luckily, dogs have a bit of immunity to venom. My dog got bit on the nose, down in TX and while he looked horrible, the vet said as long as he could eat and drink, he would be fine, and he was...

The snakes to really look out for are the pygmy rattlers, I think, due to their small size! And believe me, they ARE in our area. Once, when I was volunteering at The Fish Hatchery, A gentlemen brought in a jar with 6 little pygmies in it, wanting to know what they were. He found them in his flowerbed, in Branson!! They are tiny, but evil looking!

[zeldaII]

I hope your dog makes a full recovery. Here's a picture of a rattlesnake found last year south of Poplar Bluff.

[retiredranger]

Originally Posted by zeldaII

I hope your dog makes a full recovery. Here's a picture of a rattlesnake found last year south of Poplar Bluff.

I thought the Diamnondbacks in South Florida were big. That thing is huge. I doubt a dog would survive a shot from a snake that large.

[Darlynn0217]

Holy cow!! That's huge! Looks like it shoulda came from Texas!!

Wouldn't want to meet that on a glade in MO!

[mamagator54]

Originally Posted by zeldaII

I hope your dog makes a full recovery. Here's a picture of a rattlesnake found last year south of Poplar Bluff.

X10.....Thanks a lot. Nightmares tonight!