| Name: |
Yankee06
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/6/2007 5:14:55 PM
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Saw what I believe to be a water moccasin in the western part of the lake about 1'2 mile from the Lakeshore Marina.. Snake was in shallow water beneath the bridge to my dock. When it saw(?)/ heard(?)/ sensed (?) my presense, it shot off into deeper water. What is the history of water moccasins in Smith Lake? Can I swim safely near my dock?--will moccasins swim away from people or toward people? Are their devises that will keep snakes away from docks: sound vibraters(?), or other devices? Have just moved to the lake and would appreciate any advice long-term (or short-term) residents might provide. Thanks
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| Name: |
Handy Man
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/7/2007 1:38:58 AM
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If it's small and rather slender it could just be your neighborhood brown water snake rather than a cotton mouth / moccasin. If you check outdooralabama.com you'll find pictures and good bit of information on snakes in Alabama. Here's the link http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/what/Reptiles/Snakes/
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| Name: |
Yankee06
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/7/2007 6:44:21 PM
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Thanks Handy Man. The snake was about 4-5 ft long and seemed brown in color, but was about two to three inches below waterline so I couldn't get a clear look at skin pattern.. It did seem to have an arrow shaped head, and thatis why I thought it was a poisonous snake. And since it was in the water, I thought it a water moccasin. I only had a few seconds to check it out. Thanks for the tip on Outdooralabama.com..
If it is a non-poisonous water snake what are their habits? will it stay in my area? will there be more than one? are they aggressive? Are there many reported snake bites around Smith Lake? I couldn't find answers to these questions on the ooutdoor site. Again, thanks for your help.
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| Name: |
2toys
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/7/2007 10:29:39 PM
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I know the owner of Rock Creek Marina shot at least 4 early in the summer. Get yourself a pistol loaded with snake shot bullets!
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| Name: |
2toys
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/7/2007 10:30:09 PM
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| Name: |
Yankee06
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/8/2007 9:21:19 AM
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2Toys,
-good suggestion. I didn't know there were "snake shot" bullets. I'll be getting some today.
-Thanks
To other forum readers:, any more advice out there??
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| Name: |
OnClearCreek
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/8/2007 10:55:54 AM
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The cotton mouth is one of only a few snakes that will actually persue what they feel to be their enemy. They are easy to recognize with their large triangular shaped head that will be well above the waterline. Not to scare anyone but you should be aware of the danger of these snakes. They will stand their ground, not nessesarily leaving an area just becuase you are splashing around. Just be aware of your surroundings; these snakes are extremely poisonous.
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| Name: |
OnClearCreek
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/8/2007 10:56:02 AM
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The cotton mouth is one of only a few snakes that will actually persue what they feel to be their enemy. They are easy to recognize with their large triangular shaped head that will be well above the waterline. Not to scare anyone but you should be aware of the danger of these snakes. They will stand their ground, not nessesarily leaving an area just becuase you are splashing around. Just be aware of your surroundings; these snakes are extremely poisonous.
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| Name: |
DeepWater
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/8/2007 7:28:29 PM
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Lots of Moccasins in the area. Always have been and always will be. Just use your head.
Don't want to scare you but many years ago, I think in the lae 70;s or early 80's, a woman was killed when she jumped off of her dock into a couple of Moccasins. It's rare that one is killed by these snakes but she was bitten several time. Does anybody else remember this?
One key is not to leave fish on a stringer in the water around the dock or shoreling. We used to do that when I was young and wait for the snakes to come out in the late afternoon. We killed a lot of snakes that way.
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| Name: |
DeepWater
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/8/2007 7:28:48 PM
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Lots of Moccasins in the area. Always have been and always will be. Just use your head.
Don't want to scare you but many years ago, I think in the lae 70;s or early 80's, a woman was killed when she jumped off of her dock into a couple of Moccasins. It's rare that one is killed by these snakes but she was bitten several time. Does anybody else remember this?
One key is not to leave fish on a stringer in the water around the dock or shoreling. We used to do that when I was young and wait for the snakes to come out in the late afternoon. We killed a lot of snakes that way.
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| Name: |
DeepWater
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/8/2007 7:29:08 PM
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Lots of Moccasins in the area. Always have been and always will be. Just use your head.
Don't want to scare you but many years ago, I think in the lae 70;s or early 80's, a woman was killed when she jumped off of her dock into a couple of Moccasins. It's rare that one is killed by these snakes but she was bitten several time. Does anybody else remember this?
One key is not to leave fish on a stringer in the water around the dock or shoreling. We used to do that when I was young and wait for the snakes to come out in the late afternoon. We killed a lot of snakes that way.
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| Name: |
Yankee06
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/9/2007 12:12:12 AM
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Deepwater.
Thanks for your information.
Not that I intend to go snake hunting, but I'm curious. When the snakes came after your fish, how did you kill them ?.... does using that method cause more snakes to come to your area than otherwise would be there?
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| Name: |
DeepWater
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/9/2007 12:33:50 PM
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The most effective was our shotguns. Lots of fun for young boys. We would take our shotguns down to the dock while we would fish. Our place is in a very wooded area with only three other houses, so it is usually very quite in the late afternoon. I have not tried this in many years but it seemed to work better if the fish have been on the stringer for awhile.
Funny story: I think this is how we found out that the fish attract snakes. My sister had a lab who always fought with the neighbors dog (half pit and half chow). One late afternoon we were fishing on the dock when a snake came up and was trying to get at the fish on the stringer. I think I was about 10 or 11 at the time. We called our dad who then came down to shoot the snake with his 38. By the time he got down there all the other kids in the area had come to see what was going on (five girls). When he started shooting ( 38 is not be best gun to use on a snake in the water) the girls started screaming at the dogs to stay away. Then the two dogs got in a fight. Now all heck has broken loose. My dad is telling everyone to shut up and trying to shoot the snake, the dogs are fighting and everyone else is screaming at the dogs. The dogs carry their fight onto the dock then both fall in the water, still fighting, about a few feet from the snake. Now my dad is shooting more, everyone is screaming more and the dogs continue their fight in the water right next to the snake. I guess the snake desided that this was not a good place to be and gets away untouched.
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| Name: |
Yankee06
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/9/2007 11:59:14 PM
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Deepwater,
-Great story.
-If my snake is just a water snake, I guess I can just leave it alone. Most people are telling me that it will stay away from people, and there is usually only one around.
-If that info turns out to be wrong, my local pawn shop will be making a shotgun sale.
Thanks
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| Name: |
Handy Man
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/10/2007 2:19:35 PM
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As for your question about brown water snakes... the ones I delt with were very anxious to not be caught but when caught were anxious to bite and as far as snakes go were very mean and bite quickly and repetitively.but are not poisonous. Not sure how big they get but all I've seen have been under 3 ft. Of course, when you are surprised by them they may look 10 ft long to some people.
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| Name: |
thetroutdr
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/15/2007 4:29:19 PM
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A Moccasin will swim with its head out of the water. They are rare at smith
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| Name: |
thetroutdr
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| Subject: |
Water Moccasins
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Date:
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8/15/2007 4:29:41 PM
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A Moccasin will swim with its head out of the water. They are rare at smith
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