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Snake Boots
- Thread starter Mannlicher
- Start date
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- Jul 13, 2005
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The only snake variety that I've ever had trouble with has been cottonmouths. They are very territorial and don't want visitors.
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Anybody know anything about the brands Rocky Aztec or Chippewa? I could use a pair of snake boots. Came across an umbrella snake (many braided krait) and went and asked the fire dept. just down the road to catch it. By the time they arrived it was gone. Few days later ran across a Pointed Scaled pit viper. We watched each other until I left. Not uncommon to run across these or other vipers when walking my dog.
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- Nov 28, 2008
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- 107
after you have had one chase you and climb into a canoe with you... you might change your tune... i'm glad you have not had similar issues..
they are very aggressive and will attack and chase un provoked... i carry snake shot when outdoors just for them. i like critters and leave them alone unless i'm hungery but moc's get popped...
I ask this because I don't know the answer. I know that mature rattlesnakes will often dry bite a human. The reason is they know they can't eat you and their venom is precious so they have no real reason to invenomate you. Since they usually only strike humans when they are surprised, and since they are clearly not hunting you, often no venom is injected.
Does anyone know if the same thing is true of cottonmouths?
KR
Does anyone know if the same thing is true of cottonmouths?
KR
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To date:
I've probably caught, moved, or pit tagged over 250 (very conservative estimate) cottonmouths using a whole variety of different methods for the initial contact. As far as actually getting one to strike, it might happen 1 in every 10 times if that, or if the snake is picked up with the tongs. In my mind, copperheads are WAY more vehement. We were much more apprehensive about finally pinning and tubing copperheads than the moccasins. Deep in the swamps on a canoe, or in the roads of the everglades. In NC, SC, GA, and Florida, I've still never had one actively come and investigate. We caught over 40 in one small area of lake run-off, and never had one of them approach us, we had to go grab them with the tongs. I got sick of people saying NO way thats not true, them thangs are the devil so I brought a video camera along.
[youtube]dSrUPTggxaM[/youtube]
[youtube]A9r21hHEppM[/youtube]
Now back to the original topic. I used to wear snake boots all the time, right next to my buddy who was a real hardcore snake herper (we are talking 5 out 7 nights a week snake hunting) who wears keens. For the most part, unless doing diamondback research where we go to a place that is saturated with 'em, I won't wear the boots too much anymore and just stick to jungle boots. We are out looking for the snakes though.
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- Oct 26, 2000
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- 6,104
I've known two people who were bitten by water moccasins.
One was bitten on two separate occasions, training near Ft. Bragg(Camp Mackall).
I don't let most things get to me, but can tell you that doing nighttime land nav myself in the same swamp a few years later with memories of those stories, and after seeing the fang marks in a buddy's boot from the daytime course was a little unnerving. Then I fell in a sinkhole full of slime and moss, and about lost my mind thinking I was covered in the the things.
A couple of years ago a soldier was killed by water moccasin bites doing land nav during SFAS, probably in the same area.
Don't guess I've actually seen a water moccasin strike at a person that wasn't probing it with a stick(that would be me, btw), or trying to chop its head off with a hoe(my dad-that one was in our yard, after my mother tried to beat it to death with a broom
), but I've never seen any other kind of snake approach, or even follow people, either.
There don't seem to be many in the places I've been hiking in N. Alabama, and the only water moccasin I've seen in the last few years was while kayaking on a slow-moving creek last summer. There's some places around here(central AL) that are ate up with them.
We lived near the MS coast on a peninsula surrounded by swamps when I was a kid, and mostly in south or central MS or AL while I was growing up, and encountering them was a regular thing.
Those are cool videos, Joe. I've heard of people handling them barehanded, but I sure wouldn't do it. No, they aren't "monsters", but let's not pretend they're harmless.
One was bitten on two separate occasions, training near Ft. Bragg(Camp Mackall).
I don't let most things get to me, but can tell you that doing nighttime land nav myself in the same swamp a few years later with memories of those stories, and after seeing the fang marks in a buddy's boot from the daytime course was a little unnerving. Then I fell in a sinkhole full of slime and moss, and about lost my mind thinking I was covered in the the things.
A couple of years ago a soldier was killed by water moccasin bites doing land nav during SFAS, probably in the same area.
Don't guess I've actually seen a water moccasin strike at a person that wasn't probing it with a stick(that would be me, btw), or trying to chop its head off with a hoe(my dad-that one was in our yard, after my mother tried to beat it to death with a broom
), but I've never seen any other kind of snake approach, or even follow people, either. There don't seem to be many in the places I've been hiking in N. Alabama, and the only water moccasin I've seen in the last few years was while kayaking on a slow-moving creek last summer. There's some places around here(central AL) that are ate up with them.
We lived near the MS coast on a peninsula surrounded by swamps when I was a kid, and mostly in south or central MS or AL while I was growing up, and encountering them was a regular thing.
Those are cool videos, Joe. I've heard of people handling them barehanded, but I sure wouldn't do it. No, they aren't "monsters", but let's not pretend they're harmless.
I had one cotton mouth try repeatedly to get into my canoe. It ruined my day fishing. I carry a .38 or .44 spcl with CCI snake-shot now.
I walked into a swampy low land [the Green Swamp refuge] with 5 ratllesnakes while hog hunting. It was a cool morning so they were lethargic. I slowly backed out of the area and not one attempted to strike. I hate getting surprised by snakes.
I walked into a swampy low land [the Green Swamp refuge] with 5 ratllesnakes while hog hunting. It was a cool morning so they were lethargic. I slowly backed out of the area and not one attempted to strike. I hate getting surprised by snakes.
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Whether Cotton Mouth's are aggressive as a RULE or not, the OP looked down to find one attached to his boot. THIS snake, whatever the reason WAS aggressive. What reason would he have to gently handle the snake (and succumb to an obvious risk)?
If I could part ways safely I would probably do so. If killing the snake was the safer option, I would take that route. This was a fairly clear cut instance, regardless of the snakes REPUTED temperment. THIS snake was aggressive, shouldn't we just accept his story at face value? Or should we strut about suggesting this particular snake was probably just having a bad day, and that despite WHATEVER repuation it has, an afternoon cuddle would have been the best solution?
Even in the realm of what should be the case, instances occur outside the realm of probability and likelihood. This may be one such instance.
If I could part ways safely I would probably do so. If killing the snake was the safer option, I would take that route. This was a fairly clear cut instance, regardless of the snakes REPUTED temperment. THIS snake was aggressive, shouldn't we just accept his story at face value? Or should we strut about suggesting this particular snake was probably just having a bad day, and that despite WHATEVER repuation it has, an afternoon cuddle would have been the best solution?
Even in the realm of what should be the case, instances occur outside the realm of probability and likelihood. This may be one such instance.
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I had a chance today, to speak to a fellow I know here in town, a PhD herpetologist, with some 30 years experience in the field.
He said that it was most unusual for the snake to have struck my boot, and pointed out that my wearing the snake boots may have led me to be more careless than I usually am.
He described the strike as a 'legitimate' strike, saying that when a snake in the wild does that, it most likely would NOT be injecting venom. He said this holds true for Rattlesnakes as well. They evidently do indeed recognize that folks aren't 'prey', and strike as a defense or warning mechanism.
What he then called an 'illegitimate' strike, would be when a captive or cornered snake feels it has to defend itself. He called this the "Hey bubba, watch me play with the snake" type scenario. The angry snake will most assuredly pump you fill of juice then.
Mark said he does not wear snake boots, just sneakers or surf socks when out collecting. or removing a bothersome snake. He recounted one story that took place some years back, when he and my son helped the Sheriff's office collect about 70 Moccasins one evening over by the mall, where heavy rains had driven the snakes out of a swampy area.
No one was attacked, not one strike was mentioned.
Mark's view matches Jozilla's I guess. I know I will be more observant in the future, but I'll probably still wear the dang boots.
He said that it was most unusual for the snake to have struck my boot, and pointed out that my wearing the snake boots may have led me to be more careless than I usually am.
He described the strike as a 'legitimate' strike, saying that when a snake in the wild does that, it most likely would NOT be injecting venom. He said this holds true for Rattlesnakes as well. They evidently do indeed recognize that folks aren't 'prey', and strike as a defense or warning mechanism.
What he then called an 'illegitimate' strike, would be when a captive or cornered snake feels it has to defend itself. He called this the "Hey bubba, watch me play with the snake" type scenario. The angry snake will most assuredly pump you fill of juice then.
Mark said he does not wear snake boots, just sneakers or surf socks when out collecting. or removing a bothersome snake. He recounted one story that took place some years back, when he and my son helped the Sheriff's office collect about 70 Moccasins one evening over by the mall, where heavy rains had driven the snakes out of a swampy area.
No one was attacked, not one strike was mentioned.
Mark's view matches Jozilla's I guess. I know I will be more observant in the future, but I'll probably still wear the dang boots.
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- Sep 17, 2009
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- 2,692
I had a chance today, to speak to a fellow I know here in town, a PhD herpetologist, with some 30 years experience in the field.
He said that it was most unusual for the snake to have struck my boot, and pointed out that my wearing the snake boots may have led me to be more careless than I usually am.
He described the strike as a 'legitimate' strike, saying that when a snake in the wild does that, it most likely would NOT be injecting venom. He said this holds true for Rattlesnakes as well. They evidently do indeed recognize that folks aren't 'prey', and strike as a defense or warning mechanism.
What he then called an 'illegitimate' strike, would be when a captive or cornered snake feels it has to defend itself. He called this the "Hey bubba, watch me play with the snake" type scenario. The angry snake will most assuredly pump you fill of juice then.
Mark said he does not wear snake boots, just sneakers or surf socks when out collecting. or removing a bothersome snake. He recounted one story that took place some years back, when he and my son helped the Sheriff's office collect about 70 Moccasins one evening over by the mall, where heavy rains had driven the snakes out of a swampy area.
No one was attacked, not one strike was mentioned.
Mark's view matches Jozilla's I guess. I know I will be more observant in the future, but I'll probably still wear the dang boots.
Question: Was there any mention or comment about the snakes demise?
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Having logged many a mile in north Florida when growing up hunting/fishing and later working as a forester, I can say unequivocally that given the opportunity, a snake will let you pass. I can't tell you how many times I have looked back when cruising timber or mapping and have seen a cottonmouth, diamondback, and pygmy that had let me go by.
There is no reason a snake would use it's calories to bite you out of agression ~ your too big to eat. Purely defensive when a human gets bit, and many times it will be a dry bite ~ I suspect to save thier venom for prey.
The only snakes I kill are copperheads I find in my yard for the sake of kids, dog, and chickens. In the woods, I let'em go, they are part of the ecosystem and one of God's creation.
There is no reason a snake would use it's calories to bite you out of agression ~ your too big to eat. Purely defensive when a human gets bit, and many times it will be a dry bite ~ I suspect to save thier venom for prey.
The only snakes I kill are copperheads I find in my yard for the sake of kids, dog, and chickens. In the woods, I let'em go, they are part of the ecosystem and one of God's creation.
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Iboschi
er..................no. I did not bring that up. Mark tends to get really upset when I mention that I have dispatched a snake.
Tonym, when the snake's mouth is open, and all you see are fangs and white, its most likely a moccasin. And yes, brown water snakes look a lot like a moccasin.
er..................no. I did not bring that up. Mark tends to get really upset when I mention that I have dispatched a snake.
Tonym, when the snake's mouth is open, and all you see are fangs and white, its most likely a moccasin. And yes, brown water snakes look a lot like a moccasin.
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Not only that, but the buggers (N. Water snakes) like to flatten their heads into a triangle shape. Works great for most animals as a defensive posture due to the fact that it makes them look bigger, except with humans where it normally ends with a shovel or snake shot.
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there are many places in Florida where if you aren't hiking with a machete in both hands, you're flatout stupid. Mocs drop out of trees like rain and during certain parts of the year just swarm in the muck. Glad you came out unscathed, I was struck at in Houston reading next to a stream-little 2 and a half footer, gorgeous scales, swam right up and struck out, I've never moved so fast in my life. I must have checked my legs ten times over to make sure I wasn't bit. Don't get me started on the spider webs...sometimes the trails are flatout impassable.
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DennisStrickland
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growing up in west texas rattlesnakes are common. the rule i religiously follow --do'nt put feet or hands where you cannot see. never never step over brush , rocks, or logs w/o 1st looking. i have no fear of rattlers because we were raised with them & only had one friend get bitten [his fault]. however scorpions & sneaky spiders make me nervous. snake bbots are a good idea when dove hunting since your attention is focused on the sky.these days i just go around rattlers & leave them be unless they are too close to house or our camp site. another fallocity is about their length of strike, years back playing war games in the marines, my patrol ran a 6 footer into a bush, being the dummies we were we fitted bayonets & started stabbing into the bush. i was on downhill side when the rattler flew thru the air past my head. i never messed with a rattler after that episode.