Copperheads!!

[nomoney]

Originally posted by otter
I have never seen a docile copperhead, every one that I have run across has been very aggressive. I lay no claim to being an expert on snakes, but the 7 or 8 times I've come across a copperhead, they have been far and away the most agressive snake I've ever seen.

I don't know; the most agressive snake I've ever seen is the trouser snake.....they'll even spit at ya.

[James White (Premo)]

Otter,
Maybe I should re phrase my input on agressiveness,
Copperheads along with many others ,will by nature,WARN you if you are getting to close,or they feel threatened,That means go away.

Agressivness,I am pertaining to is,actaully striking.

When I catch them,I can walk up on them and catch them bare handed,with know problem.

It is when many people scream,start swinging rakes and hoe's and whatever ,is when the put the fear into the snake to go into strike'defense mode.

Just walk away from them,and all will be fine.

[otter (Premo)]

NM has a point..

[Jameo (Premo)]

Originally posted by nomoney
I don't know; the most agressive snake I've ever seen is the trouser snake.....they'll even spit at ya.

[Vince]

Originally posted by James White
Otter,
Maybe I should re phrase my input on agressiveness,
Copperheads along with many others ,will by nature,WARN you if you are getting to close,or they feel threatened,That means go away.

Agressivness,I am pertaining to is,actaully striking.

When I catch them,I can walk up on them and catch them bare handed,with know problem.

It is when many people scream,start swinging rakes and hoe's and whatever ,is when the put the fear into the snake to go into strike'defense mode.

Just walk away from them,and all will be fine.

Had one in the garden and tried that walking away thing. He followed me and kept on coming. Had to dispose of him. Black snakes, no problem, I'll keep them around for the mice, but Copperheads, they're history.

[sifl]

Yikes!

@ nomoney

Well James White, if they put me on trial for the murder of one copperhead, I will just plea temporary insanity.

Can I still kill a bug in my house or have the bunny huggers made that illegal too?

[happyappygirl]

[quote]Originally posted by James White
First off an official statement..lol
It is illegal in the State of Md. To kill any snake...ok did that part..lol

~WOW where is THAT posted??


[quote]Originally posted by James White
"Actaully a copperhead is very docile,and will only strike,when provoked."

UM...if flagging him down with the trouser snake counts as provocation, then I guess he was duly provoked, LOL...the kid whipped it out to pizz, it was the edge of dark, and he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye, up against the barn, at about the same time it struck at him again. Lucky he even managed to be able to get out of striking range, this kid is terrified of any kind of snake, ESPECIALLY one of these (he was there when we found the first one) I think his trouser snake rolled ITSELF back in too, come to think of it, LOL..hubby seems to think May/June are mating times and they tend to be a bit more aggressive during that season?

[quote]Originally posted by James White
"Such as high grass,woodpiles,sheds w/wooden floors,Or general clutter,As all the above draw in the food. Clean up your mess,eliminate there food sourses,and they will go away."

HMM....it's not OUR mess yet, the previous occupants are still renting back....BUT we had bushogged the pasture, moved a lot of downed trees, etc. in the weeks prior, so we had hoped that would run them off. These are inhabiting the back side of the barn where there is a load of sandy soil, and it's very wooded behind there. No dogs currently, but the folks have a hunting maniac for a kitty though, and NO mice or rats, she's a mean one with lizards too. Does she count? She had chomped the first snake through the head, although it was still alive when we found it. But this second one was a lively snot. Oh and the house is a log cabin, as is the barn.

FWIW i am VERY allergic to everything that stings, and also lots of other stuff, so i'm a prime candidate to not live to tell the tale. Geeze. I guess i have to have my epi-pen prescription renewed....
Great info though. If we can keep the dogs from killing kitties, they will hopefully keep the population down. Maybe the dogs will help too... Hopefully they will gradually dissappear.

[Ken King (Premo)]

Originally posted by James White
Why??? Bunny huggers..lol

A long time law,that we are working on getting out or re phrased ,never enforced,will I shouldnt say never.

Actaully the law was put in a LONG time ago,and still has some merit today.It is well known the benifit of snakes in helping control the rodent popuation.The law was written in 1957.and has never changed.

Could you cite the law please? The only thing remotely close to prohibiting the killing of snakes is the Nongame and Endangered Species Act which came about in 1972 (I think) and was updated as recently as 2002.

Also when threatened by a dangerous animal isn't a person allowed to rid the danger for the safety of self, family, and property?

[GutiesFamily]

I am not sure either about a copperhead being extremely aggressive. My 12 yr old (who has had training) is able to catch them bare handed as well. If we get on around our house. He just merely relocates it back into the woods. I have had him bit more by a Black Rat then anything else. As far as her having them at her home. Have you tried to supply them with habitat at farest edges of your propert, such as along a forest line. That is what we do, and we haven't had any come near the home, since we have.