Copperhead and a new bag

[moonwilson]

That's a beautiful little snake. I'm glad you didn't kill it! I probably would have killed it and then felt bad about it later.

 

[Mountainman38]

...Using a hiking staff or set to walk with is good because one will proceed your front leg ususally in a natural stride on the trail, thus giving the snake the first thing to strike at.

I'd be interested to see this tested. I carry a walking stick to help scatter branches and leaves, but I don't think a snake would strike at it, since they see heat. Infrared receptors mean they don't really see a cold stick, but will rather zero in on body heat.

I came across a number of rattle snakes in southern California while biking, and had the chance to see first hand their infrared vision. One particularly large snake was partially hidden under a bush, so I stopped to look at him. If I moved my hand (a small target) to within a few feet, he would move around a bit, but if I started to lean my body towards him, he got really upset and started buzzing and coiling around. I did this several times, and he didn't react to anything much except my whole body moving closer to him. I figured my torso has the largest heat signature, so that's why the snake got upset when I leaned closer to him. He wasn't hurting anyone, so I left him to his shade.

Had one very scary brush with a rattler right on the trail I was riding one evening. Moving at a good clip up a short incline on my mountain bike, I crested the top to be greeted by the sight of a nice rattler coiled in the warm dirt right by my rapidly approaching tire. If I'd tried to stop, I woulda been right on him, and if I pedaled I'd be giving him a nice moving target to strike at. I didn't have time to unclip from my pedals, so I jerked my foot up to the top of the pedal stroke and coasted by as calmly as I could, which actually worked, thank God.

 

[milani74]

That's a beautiful little snake. I'm glad you didn't kill it! I probably would have killed it and then felt bad about it later.

Ya. I had thought about killing it but it didnt feel right. Even though I am no snake lover, I also want to teach my kids that it is wrong to kill wildlife unless:
1) it is a serious threat and you must kill it before it harms you.
2) are going to eat it.
3) is not native to its environment and harms or threatens other native wildlife.

Number 3 is iffy I know, but in the case of some moths that are killing native (Oak) trees, I have no second thoughts.
Snakes encounters for me are by nature scary because its almost always a "suprise" when you see one and then have to find a way to give it room.

 

[milani74]

Copperheads have a distinct "copper" look to their eye as well, and have two distinct dots on the top of their head. quote]

Thanks Joe, I hadnt noticed the two dots on the head. Very obvious when you look for it really.
Thanks.

 

[milani74]

I'd be interested to see this tested. I carry a walking stick to help scatter branches and leaves, but I don't think a snake would strike at it, since they see heat. Infrared receptors mean they don't really see a cold stick, but will rather zero in on body heat.

I came across a number of rattle snakes in southern California while biking, and had the chance to see first hand their infrared vision. One particularly large snake was partially hidden under a bush, so I stopped to look at him. If I moved my hand (a small target) to within a few feet, he would move around a bit, but if I started to lean my body towards him, he got really upset and started buzzing and coiling around. I did this several times, and he didn't react to anything much except my whole body moving closer to him. I figured my torso has the largest heat signature, so that's why the snake got upset when I leaned closer to him. He wasn't hurting anyone, so I left him to his shade.

Good point about the heat sensors. Anyone have an anwser?
I am pretty sure that they can see broad movements but can see much better using their heat sensors.