Snakes (Hinton: live in, move, retired)

[Two-Rivers]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

...Two Rivers...can you imagine the amount of snakes our pioneer fore-fathers had to contend with...snakes were part of the reason for hogs in this country...fat too dense for the fangs to penetrate and food on the ground...I'll bet that was very strong hog meat?

Maybe it would be like that injected cajun seasoning? Teriyaki?

How about a pic of a Largemouth Bass with a mouthful of snake(s)?

[atlantagreg30127]

Are there Worm Snakes in WV?

I don't remember seeing any growing up around Charleston, but as a kid/teen I didn't really LOOK for snakes, either. Down here in Georgia these Worm Snakes are all over some places. My dogs eat worms (yeah, I know ), and one day one of them found one of these and thought it was the mother load of worms, ate it, and had a funny look on her face. I guess it tasted like Chicken 'cause now she forgets the worms and looks for these.

[BJC]

OMGOSH that is fascinating and GROSS at the same time!!! 2rivers did you catch that fish? If so where?

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Are there Worm Snakes in WV?

I don't remember seeing any growing up around Charleston, but as a kid/teen I didn't really LOOK for snakes, either. Down here in Georgia these Worm Snakes are all over some places. My dogs eat worms (yeah, I know ), and one day one of them found one of these and thought it was the mother load of worms, ate it, and had a funny look on her face. I guess it tasted like Chicken 'cause now she forgets the worms and looks for these.

You know.... that looks familiar.... I'm not really sure where I've seen a snake like that but I'm pretty sure I've seen those little guys before

[TheRef]

Originally Posted by armychicmkm

I forgot I was supposed to ask about snakes too. What do you have and where? Specifically water mocassins and other poisonous types.

I grew up in Western VA and went to college in WV. In that whole 22 year span I ran into poisonous snakes maybe 2 or 3 times -- this includes clomping around in the woods, going deer hunting (of course, in the fall, the snakes tend to go hibernate or whatever it is they do), doing a lot of camping and canoeing, and fishing in the Shenandoah river. If you don't surprise them, they're usually not that big of a threat. I think you're more likely to encounter them if you go out on the river, but I personally never knew anyone who ran into snakes in their house or yard, etc, or who was ever bitten by one. Mostly, if you see any snakes in residential areas, they'll be black snakes (which can make you sick with their venom but aren't typically fatal) and garter snakes.

Hope that provides some reassurance, but it's always good to be educated on the native wildlife when you move somewhere and know what to look out for.

[Two-Rivers]

BJC, I didn't catch that particular Bass, although I have my share of fish stories. The one in the picture was caught in Oklahoma.

[Newtgirl]

Originally Posted by TheRef

Mostly, if you see any snakes in residential areas, they'll be black snakes (which can make you sick with their venom but aren't typically fatal) and garter snakes.

Black snakes aren't venomous.

The VAST majority of snakes in the US are not deadly. There are a fair number of venomous snakes, but people rarely die from them. For the most part, their venom is not that potent. And additionally, modern medical care keeps most people alive.

[David Kennedy]

That is true...few people die from snake bites, however, the huge rattlers in these past pics could kill you dead, particularly if they hit you more than once.

My lady's father would tell me of killing Cobra's and Browns in their backyards in Fiji and Western Australia...burning the nests with fuel oil so the kiddies could play safely.
Quite a contrast with our 'friendly snakes who are docile and choose to flee when they see us.

If you can coax a Garter or Blacksnake to strike and he makes contact, please make sure your lockjaw shots are up to date..these creatures are so beneficial to the eco.

As was that Largemouth...doing his part to keep balance. This has been a very informative thread..thank!

[Retired Navy]

Originally Posted by TheRef

I grew up in Western VA and went to college in WV. In that whole 22 year span I ran into poisonous snakes maybe 2 or 3 times -- this includes clomping around in the woods, going deer hunting (of course, in the fall, the snakes tend to go hibernate or whatever it is they do), doing a lot of camping and canoeing, and fishing in the Shenandoah river. If you don't surprise them, they're usually not that big of a threat. I think you're more likely to encounter them if you go out on the river, but I personally never knew anyone who ran into snakes in their house or yard, etc, or who was ever bitten by one. Mostly, if you see any snakes in residential areas, they'll be black snakes (which can make you sick with their venom but aren't typically fatal) and garter snakes.

Hope that provides some reassurance, but it's always good to be educated on the native wildlife when you move somewhere and know what to look out for.

Back in the mid-70's (I was still in the Navy and stationed in Illinois) My Mom would send me weekly newspaper clippings regarding a retired Air Force Sgt. and his family who had bought a farm in Jackson County and was living in, and restoring, the old farmhouse. He sealed off all the cracks in the foundation and when Spring arrived he would frequently find copperheads in dresser drawers and in other locations within the house. It became so bad the family had to abandon the home until it could be rid of the snakes. Long story short...It seems as if the snakes had a den under the home and when he sealed the foundation they had no way to get out except through the home. He eventually had to burn the place to the ground and excavate a new homesite. Mom would send me these clippings weekly all summer long and I followed this fellow's snake saga for months until they finally gave up and burned the home.

[TheRef]

Originally Posted by Retired Navy

Back in the mid-70's (I was still in the Navy and stationed in Illinois) My Mom would send me weekly newspaper clippings regarding a retired Air Force Sgt. and his family who had bought a farm in Jackson County and was living in, and restoring, the old farmhouse. He sealed off all the cracks in the foundation and when Spring arrived he would frequently find copperheads in dresser drawers and in other locations within the house. It became so bad the family had to abandon the home until it could be rid of the snakes. Long story short...It seems as if the snakes had a den under the home and when he sealed the foundation they had no way to get out except through the home. He eventually had to burn the place to the ground and excavate a new homesite. Mom would send me these clippings weekly all summer long and I followed this fellow's snake saga for months until they finally gave up and burned the home.

Wow. Now that's pretty bad and tragic since that family probably lost a bunch of money and had to live with that nightmare.

I guess the lesson learned is to be thorough before sealing up the house (and making sure during inspection that there aren't any infestations). Not snake related, but someone I know had a similar problem with bats in an old farmhouse he bought in Hardy County, WV (fortunately, it was just hunting land to him, he didn't have to live in the house, but still) -- he didn't have to raze the house or anything, but it took forever to get rid of them and then successfully seal them out (they just kept finding new ways to get into the attic).