[Goodpasture]

Just shot the third copperhead this week near the house this afternoon......I wonder if it is just me or is anyone else seeing more than usual? I wonder if the rains lately have encouraged the food supply, thus encouraging the snake population............

[EarthBound?]

I haven't had some rattlesnake stew since I left Ft Sill back in 1985.

[Talisman09]

Yep, I believe you're right about the heavy rains having an affect. I don't know if it has increased the food supply or if their "homes" have gotten flooded and they are out trying to dry off. I was mowing the yard yesterday and thought I saw a turtle in front of me until I got closer. It was a big 'ol snake about five foot long, brown and as thick as my wrist in the middle. He squirmed down a hole in the yard that was not much larger around than a quarter. I have no idea how he did that but it was amazing. I also have no idea what kind he was, except he was big and brown and I'm glad he is at the very back of the yard.

[stillkit]

Copperheads love junk piles and brush piles. Get rid of any you have on the property and your snake problem will be solved.

[Goodpasture]

Yeah, I've been gone so much this year that I have a hard time keeping the weeds down. Now that the cows have free use of the area, maybe they can help the mowing problem.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

Just shot the third copperhead this week near the house this afternoon......I wonder if it is just me or is anyone else seeing more than usual? I wonder if the rains lately have encouraged the food supply, thus encouraging the snake population............

I see more every day.
Unfortunately the first one I shot ruined the TV, so I just change channels now.

[tookey]

I am going to ask a dumb question regarding snakes. Is it possible to see a copperhead or other dangerous snake in the city limits or are they more prevelant in the country. I know so little about snakes and the darn things scare the whup out of me. Now I have encountered a small garden snake and for some reason I was ok with that but the big nasty ones scare me. If I saw one I would be on the roof in a single jump!

[mommared74]

in oklahoma, i don't think it matters wether u r n town or out in the country. snakes are everywhere. I live in town but have recently bought property in the country. just this summer alone, we have killed 4 copperheads around our house in town, granted it is an underground house, but one of them was about 4 foot long and in my daughters bedroom about midnight, luckilyshe was laying in bed reading and seen it crawl out of her bathroom behind her bookshelf. On the land in the last 3 weeks we have killed 3 water mocasins and 2 copperheads, of course it has been abandoned for the last 7 months and there is a pond and several brush piles that we are cleaning up i do not care what kind or how big they all give me the heeby jeebies

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by tookey

.........Is it possible to see a copperhead or other dangerous snake in the city limits.............

Of course. But remember, they like rock, trash, brush, and junk piles. If you have berries (like black berries) be careful when you pick them. The snakes like to climb up the canes and hunt small birds. For the most part, keep the trash picked up, the yard mowed, etc and you should be good. If your housing addition has ponds, though, be careful about moccasins. They not only like water, they are aggressive.

Forgot to mention, when you are doing spring cleaning and you are moving stuff that has been sitting for a while, make sure you look out for black widows and brown recluses. In the city you will more of them than snakes.

[tookey]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

Of course. But remember, they like rock, trash, brush, and junk piles. If you have berries (like black berries) be careful when you pick them. The snakes like to climb up the canes and hunt small birds. For the most part, keep the trash picked up, the yard mowed, etc and you should be good. If your housing addition has ponds, though, be careful about moccasins. They not only like water, they are aggressive.

Forgot to mention, when you are doing spring cleaning and you are moving stuff that has been sitting for a while, make sure you look out for black widows and brown recluses. In the city you will more of them than snakes.

Thanks for reminding me about the brown recluse and the widows. I have been trying to clean out my unbelievably cluttered garage and the thought of the spiders for some reason has not crossed my mind. I will now be very observant sure don't want to get bit by one of them.