The best things in life aren't things. -- Art Buchwald
RON
A tree's a tree. How many more do you need to look at? ~ Ronald Reagan
Visit my Youtube channel- Florida Wild
I always remember it as "FSU will kill you".
Impressive photos there, craigc! I've seen at least two coral or king snakes out in the wild before (both scurried off before I could make positive ID, which makes me think they were coral snakes; king snakes tend to be a bit more aggressive), but I've never had the chance to take a photo of either of 'em.
"Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest."
--Floridahanger
Well without a photo it is hard to get a solid confirmation. I am not sure of the shape of the head. From what I have read in Florida's Snakes A Guide to Their Identification and Habits by R. D. Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett, I think it was a Cottonmouth. The body was dark with a faded diamond like pattern on its sides. From the photographs in the book it most resembles the body of the Eastern Cottonmouth. The descriptions of the Florida Cottonmouth, Banded Water Snake and the Brown Water Snake all match what I observed, however.
The described behaviour of the Cottonmouth resembles what I observed, they mention the Cottonmouth being a bold snake that will make a slow departure when disturbed. They also state the snake will not submerge when in the water but swim on the surface with its head held high out of the water, a harmless water snake do not do that and would be completely submerged, according to the authors.
That description matches what I saw, a snake on the surface swimming toward some vines in the water. Only when it climbed the vines did it make any attempt to hide.
G W had I been there I would have made a positive ID for you and if it was the dreaded Cottonmouth the next thing you would have heard would be the Judge and 410 birdshot putting an end to its existence. I have a deep respect and love for most of my fellow inhabitants on this beautiful planet but that one does not need to be here.
Most of us end up poorer here but richer for being here. Olddog, Fulltime hammocker, 365 nights a year.
RON
A tree's a tree. How many more do you need to look at? ~ Ronald Reagan
Visit my Youtube channel- Florida Wild
One Cottomouth we encountered in 3 Lakes tells me that they live up to the reputation of being aggressive and having a white mouth and it was _not_ a Black Racer.
Quite a few. Back in the old days we used the round cork bobbers. Had one try to eat the bobber. Had them try to get fish off the stringer. Chased backwards off of a log we used to cross the Little Withlacoochee. Fired 15 rounds of 22cal. never hit him and he just kept coming. Pinned ones head down with my boot by accident and his body slapped my leg. Jumped so high that I think I shot him before my feet hit the ground.
Most of us end up poorer here but richer for being here. Olddog, Fulltime hammocker, 365 nights a year.
Here's the link for travel-sized items that I promised to send to ????
http://www.minimus.biz
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