Snakes?????

[monkeybug]

First let me preface this by saying I am no means a city girl! I grew up in the mountains, and spent most of my childhood summers camping in the Sierra Nevadas. (my parents were not campground type people. my dad would drive down a few logging roads, find a spot furthest from civilization as we could get with out going to the moon, put up a tent and build a fire)
I was reading a review of FW on allears and she mentioned snake warnings in the gazette. I scoured the internet for any reference of snakes at FW and found none, please tell me that Disney is just being overly cautious and alerting people to the possibility of snakes. They are not a regular occurance right???? Right????
I don't mind the kind of snakes that can't kill me (though knowing that there are the kind that can around would make me panic even if I saw the friendly sort, and if one were in my bed I would likely die of a heart attack. Woman literally scared to death by a garter snake! How pathetic would that be?) In California the snakes that could kill me were nice enough to give a little rattle and ask me to please get out of their way (once saw 8 rattlesnakes in one hike. Yikes!!), but cotton mouths don't rattle right?
Ok, so let the laughing commence! I am sure like I sound like a total pansy!!!

[mjmoon]

I'm sure there are snakes as with anywhere when you're that close to nature. Like most wildlife, if you don't bother them they likely won't bother you. I don't think it's anything to be too concerned about.

[Shan-man]

I have only ever seen rat snakes, and then only along the canal. These guys can get pretty long but they are definitely more scared of you than you need be of them.

[monkeybug]

I have only ever seen rat snakes, and then only along the canal. These guys can get pretty long but they are definitely more scared of you than you need be of them.

Oh good!
I am not a fan of being close to any snake, but I am a total chicken when it comes to the deadly silent type!!!

[BradyBz12]

FL very definitely has snakes, and FW does the ol' CYA by giving you the warning. But I can say that having spent 60-ish days at FW in the last 5 years, I've never seen one. And we always use the dog walk along the canal a ton.

Keep your eyes open, but don't freak out and I don't think you'll be stalked by any poisonous snakes wearing mouse ears. ;)

[Disbuf]

We have camped at FW the past two Spring Breaks. The first year in the 300 loop we saw a snake at our site on the first and second days and that was the last of him. He didn't bother us and we didn't get close to him either. We told a CM and they said he was harmless and actually helped to keep away other pests.

Last year in the 500 loop we never saw a single snake. We hate snakes but are not really concerned as we are going back this March for our third straight year.

[~Kristina~]

I've only been to the Fort once, but didn't see any snakes. But while staying at AS Sports I saw one.

[BigDaddyRog]

I havent seen one...and I WAS looking!!! I HAVE, however, seen a snake at Animal Kingdom....it was just a small garden snake, he was too quick to catch. But as for the Fort, they HAVE to be around...but as hard as I searched, I couldnt find one.

[Conan the Librarian]

I hope there are snakes. They keep down the rat population.

Just imagine how bad it would be without the snakes!

:sad2:

[ORLCampers]

Well, there is this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuGvnX8Prtc

... Ahh TGIF

[monkeybug]

I hope there are snakes. They keep down the rat population.

Just imagine how bad it would be without the snakes!

:sad2:

Yeah, I don't mind sharing a campsite/cabin yard with a rat or garden snake (would rather that than a rat actually!) I just figured that if Disney was warning about snakes it would be because some (like cottonmouths) are venomous, and those I would rather not meet! I figured that Disney was just doing the CYA thing and there is probably rarely a sighting of a venomous snake, I just wanted to make sure before I turn my two curious and fearless children loose!

[monkeybug]

Well, there is this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuGvnX8Prtc

... Ahh TGIF

LOL!!! :rotfl2: I hope my husband doesn't see this! I'll be finding plastic snakes all over the cabin!!

[Born 2 Fish]

Okay, now that your question has been answered real good,,
I feel that it is my duty to warn you about the otters at the Fort.
They can be a very sneaky bunch that sometimes work together, they form gangs.
When you least expect it , these otters will steal your beer. I'm tell'n you, if you don't keep a watch out, the otters can be a real problem.
Nutt'n but a buncha hoodlum beer snatchers, they are !

[monkeybug]

Okay, now that your question has been answered real good,,
I feel that it is my duty to warn you about the otters at the Fort.
They can be a very sneaky bunch that sometimes work together, they form gangs.
When you least expect it , these otters will steal your beer. I'm tell'n you, if you don't keep a watch out, the otters can be a real problem.
Nutt'n but a buncha hoodlum beer snatchers, they are !

Hmmm...strangely these beer snatching otters sound quite familiar... The group I am familiar with was comprised of men of course, not otters, and they called themselves Clampers (The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus). It sounds as though they share similar inrests (i.e. drinking beer) and antics (i.e. stealing beer). I can assure you that I have had much experience with this wiley bunch and their shananagins (in fact I became so keen to their ways that while in my teens they made their queen and one year I almost won them the towns highest honor) and I am quite confident I am well equipped to handle these roving gangs of hoodlum otters...but I will keep a cooler of beer handy just in case!

[vick]

Hmmm...strangely these beer snatching otters sound quite familiar... The group I am familiar with was comprised of men of course, not otters, and they called themselves Clampers (The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus). It sounds as though they share similar inrests (i.e. drinking beer) and antics (i.e. stealing beer). I can assure you that I have had much experience with this wiley bunch and their shananagins (in fact I became so keen to their ways that while in my teens they made their queen and one year I almost won them the towns highest honor) and I am quite confident I am well equipped to handle these roving gangs of hoodlum otters...but I will keep a cooler of beer handy just in case!

Those otters are sneakier I bet!

[BRDof3]

Don't worry too much about the otters. They are afraid of the bears. :hyper:

[BradyBz12]

But I'm told the armadillos ain't afraid of nuthin... except maybe the Killer Rabbits! :lmao:

[BigDaddyRog]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/D1209Holy-Grail-Killer-Rabbit-Poste.jpg

[BradyBz12]

Yep, them's the ones! :lmao:

[monkeybug]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/D1209Holy-Grail-Killer-Rabbit-Poste.jpg

Favorite Movie EVER!!!!

[LuckyinGa]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/D1209Holy-Grail-Killer-Rabbit-Poste.jpg

Hi Rog, I sent you an e-mail about a picture. Just checking if you got it.

[monkeybug]

But I'm told the armadillos ain't afraid of nuthin... except maybe the Killer Rabbits! :lmao:

I'm not sure how this thread went from snakes to armadillo's, but since you brought it up! We are making custom t-shirts for our trip (we are either that cool or that lame;you decide) I saw this poem in a Shel Silverstein book and thought it would be a good one, as there seems to be armadillos at FW-

If you should ever choose
to bathe an armadillo,
Use one bar of soap
And a whole lot of hope
And seventy-two pads of Brillo

What do ya' think?

[BigDaddyRog]

Hi Rog, I sent you an e-mail about a picture. Just checking if you got it.

Yes!!! Check the prize hog thread on the camping community section.

[beagles7278]

We found this little fellow sleeping by the 300 loop playground in January 2008. It got down in the 40's the previous night, I guess he didn't get his snuggy for Christmas.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj134/beagles7872/DCAM0008.jpg

[lisa8200]

That looks like a Moccossin to me. I can't see much but,,,,yikes. really big around and not long is a bad sign.

[ntsammy5]

I saw this last November:

http://www.kingsnake.com/hudspeth/mojave1.jpg

[gon2wdw55]

We have seen snakes at the PARKS ! A few years ago at MK at GOOFYS barnstormer near the tracks by the walkway just watching folks pass by. Last year was waiting for the train by BTM a cast member was looking at BTM for a long time and said to us look over there by the tracks this was above the walkway to board the train that circles MK and there was a black snake CM said he"s there every day, it's his home.

[Gatordad]

The snakes are ok, it's the gator population that is running amuck at FW. Here's video of our last visit.

If you look closely at the shots from bay lake, you can see Cinderella's castle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEckUwfctyM&feature=related

[Born 2 Fish]

I saw this last November:

http://www.kingsnake.com/hudspeth/mojave1.jpg

Those like to sleep on our front porch bench.

[ntsammy5]

If you look closely at the shots from bay lake, you can see Cinderella's castle


Yeah, if you squint it's pretty clear.

The otters like to catch these things and ride them all over Bay Lake - it's hard to do while holding a bottle of beer though

http://kecute.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/otter-beer.jpg

[FlaFortCampster]

Here's the notice from the Gazette. It's buried on page 3 under Public Notices.
I've only seen a couple of snakes while at the Fort. Several black racers and one rat snake. Both want you around snakes.

http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo96/ppp8815/FWwildlifenotice.jpg

[pezheadval]

I never saw any snakes in my previous stays at FW, but this last time I did see a big black snake. I saw him on two different occasions when we were walking from Pioneer Hall to the boat dock. I kept trying to snap a picture of him, but by the time I jumped and screamed, he was already in the bushes. lol

[breick]

We have been camping at FW for over10 years and by my calculations over it's over 230 nights. We have seen 5 snakes total. One was at the MK bus stop, one in Cross Country Creek @ BB, one in the bushes @ River Country, and one on the cart path by 100 loop. Those were all black ones. The other one was a really small brown one next to our campsite in the 1100 loop.

[Born 2 Fish]

Here's the notice from the Gazette. It's buried on page 3 under Public Notices.
I've only seen a couple of snakes while at the Fort. Several black racers and one rat snake. Both want you around snakes.

http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo96/ppp8815/FWwildlifenotice.jpg

OMG !!!I run into those things ALL OVER THE PLACE !!!
I thought they were animatronics !!








just kidd'n.:lmao:

[big kahuna1]

This snake was next to our site in the 1600 loop along the canal. He ate my 6 year old. If you look closely you can see the outline of his body in the 2nd picture. This snake was so big and nasty it even went on and started eating this Turkey but what you really need to watch out for are the Gators! :scared1:



http://bigkahuna1.smugmug.com/photos/328110947_wDgAQ-L.jpg




http://bigkahuna1.smugmug.com/photos/328111010_fuWzD-L.jpg




http://bigkahuna1.smugmug.com/photos/299244409_qMCqf-L.jpg




http://bigkahuna1.smugmug.com/photos/415738158_qPJFp-XL.jpg

[LittleDickensDesigns]

I don't know about DW but I think it's stupid that my dad (who lives in FL) actually goes looking for his golf ball in the rough. He thinks a golf club is going to protect him. I'd just let the ball go!

[BigDaddyRog]

Ok..is that a DEER in that gators mouth???
http://bigkahuna1.smugmug.com/photos/415738158_qPJFp-XL.jpg

[Twitterpated Dad]

Snakes! Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1801901

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1525200

[lisa8200]

Ok..is that a DEER in that gators mouth???
http://bigkahuna1.smugmug.com/photos/415738158_qPJFp-XL.jpg
yes it is

[WalkingintheFog]

....I'm still hoping someone will say these are all jokes.....but there really are real snakes at Disney, aren't there?

This just killed my long time desire to go camping at Disney sometime.

We don't have any snakes here at all. I've never seen a snake outside of a zoo of some sorts. Definitely no alligators.

[BigDaddyRog]

Ive personally NEVER seen a snake at the Fort. Common sense would say that in such a large, forest like area...there HAS to be some around, but its apparent that Disney keeps them in check.

I have seen gators...but again...its Florida, they are SUPPOSED to be there!! But, Disney is very good about keeping their guests safe...dont sweat it...live a little. Wildlife is worthy life.

[Twitterpated Dad]

....I'm still hoping someone will say these are all jokes.....but there really are real snakes at Disney, aren't there?

This just killed my long time desire to go camping at Disney sometime.

We don't have any snakes here at all. I've never seen a snake outside of a zoo of some sorts. Definitely no alligators.

Yes, the snakes are there. VERY few of them are dangerous. And, they're not just at the Fort.

But remember, sunburn is a much bigger risk than wildlife. Just watch where you're walking and, as Pete says, stay out of the lakes. You'll be fine.

[Born 2 Fish]

Not meaning to be rude or crude,, but we have lived in and been to bout 1/2 of the US states, and I have seen snakes in most of them. Snakes are just kind of a part of life,,, snakes really don't wanna have anymore to do with you than you do with them.

But I'm tell'n you,,its them dang beer drinking otters thats the problem!

[ntsammy5]

Otters are fine as long as you don't steal their beer. The biggest,most deadly snakes in the US aren't even in a state thogh Frank - they're in DC.

[AuburnJen92]

....I'm still hoping someone will say these are all jokes.....but there really are real snakes at Disney, aren't there?

This just killed my long time desire to go camping at Disney sometime.

We don't have any snakes here at all. I've never seen a snake outside of a zoo of some sorts. Definitely no alligators.

They are joking with you a bit, but the snake pictures Kahuna put up are real. It is a Florida water snake and will not hurt you, nor is it venomous. Most of the snakes that are at the Fort will leave you alone if you leave them alone. You cannot be in Florida without reptiles, I'm sorry.

[bord1niowa]

Not to scare you but my daughter saw a snake wrapped around the handlebars of someone's bicycle that was parked while they went into the trading post. She informed the CM and they took care of it. Don't know what kind it was though.

[monkeybug]

Otters are fine as long as you don't steal their beer. The biggest,most deadly snakes in the US aren't even in a state thogh Frank - they're in DC.


:rotfl2: Yeah we live in very close proximity to some of those DC snakes- they are definitely venomous, unusually aggressive, and slimy as all get out !!!

[Born 2 Fish]

SNAKES !!!!

[FlaFortCampster]

Not to scare you but my daughter saw a snake wrapped around the handlebars of someone's bicycle that was parked while they went into the trading post. She informed the CM and they took care of it. Don't know what kind it was though.

That was Curly, the handlebar snake. Here we thought he had run off with an otter, something about a wild party with free pizza and soda the local raccoons were throwing.:lmao:

[collcass]

We saw the biggest snake I have ever seen on the sidewalk but it was at POR not Ft wilderness.

Turned out to be a water moccasin (sp?). You don't even want to know how freaked I was. I despise snakes. I am one who washeld hostage by a piddly little garter snake on my driveway. I went to get the mail and spotted him on my way back up the driveway. I screamed and wouldn't walk up until the neighbor came home andlet me know the damn thing was DEAD. Yup, I was even afraid of a dead snake.

They find me, though. I run into them all over the place. Fortunately they are usually the harmless kind. The one at POR, now tat was another story. The pest people were there within a minute or two and got him out of there. Oh, I still shudder just thinking about it

[Born 2 Fish]

One time we were at the gift shop at CBR, and I swear, they had a whole box of snakes , IN THE GIFT SHOP !!
course, they were made of rubber,,
but they were big an real looking !!

[FlaFortCampster]

We saw the biggest snake I have ever seen on the sidewalk but it was at POR not Ft wilderness.

Turned out to be a water moccasin (sp?). You don't even want to know how freaked I was. I despise snakes. I am one who washeld hostage by a piddly little garter snake on my driveway. I went to get the mail and spotted him on my way back up the driveway. I screamed and wouldn't walk up until the neighbor came home andlet me know the damn thing was DEAD. Yup, I was even afraid of a dead snake.

They find me, though. I run into them all over the place. Fortunately they are usually the harmless kind. The one at POR, now tat was another story. The pest people were there within a minute or two and got him out of there. Oh, I still shudder just thinking about it

A water moccasin aka cottonmouth, is IMHO, the nastiest snake in Florida. Unlike a rattlesnake that uses the rattle to tell you to stay away, those stinking moccasins are aggresive, fat, ugly. creepy, slithering suckers. And those are their good points.
Having said that, being a native Floridian, I have only encounter 2 moccasins and 2 rattlesnakes. MOST people get bit trying to pick a snake up or kill it or move it or mess with it. I don't like snakes either, but they are a part of Florida.
CM's will quickly eliminate the problem, as you pointed out.
I knew POR was wild and this confirms it. I'm staying over at the Fort. :lmao:

[ntsammy5]

I knew POR was wild and this confirms it. I'm staying over at the Fort. :lmao:

:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

[graciejane]

Over the years we have seen many snakes (including one who held my SIL hostage on the bench in front of the comfort station) and gators. Last spring we saw a fairly large (compared to the others we have seen) gator happily swimming behind the Meadows. It is Florida so even those of us from Michigan expect to see them. If we run into gators or snakes, we just give them lots of room like we do at home (ok, not many gators here in MI). Its kinda fun to see who can spot what when we are there.

[FlaFortCampster]

Over the years we have seen many snakes (including one who held my SIL hostage on the bench in front of the comfort station) and gators. Last spring we saw a fairly large (compared to the others we have seen) gator happily swimming behind the Meadows. It is Florida so even those of us from Michigan expect to see them. If we run into gators or snakes, we just give them lots of room like we do at home (ok, not many gators here in MI). Its kinda fun to see who can spot what when we are there.

Words of wisdom, "just give them lots of room". That's the thing to do. They want less to do with us than we think.

[BigDaddyRog]

A water moccasin aka cottonmouth, is IMHO, the nastiest snake in Florida. Unlike a rattlesnake that uses the rattle to tell you to stay away, those stinking moccasins are aggresive, fat, ugly. creepy, slithering suckers. And those are their good points.
Having said that, being a native Floridian, I have only encounter 2 moccasins and 2 rattlesnakes. MOST people get bit trying to pick a snake up or kill it or move it or mess with it. I don't like snakes either, but they are a part of Florida.
CM's will quickly eliminate the problem, as you pointed out.
I knew POR was wild and this confirms it. I'm staying over at the Fort. :lmao:

:rotfl: Campster...you are so right about moc's being agressive and downright mean.....Ive been in small flatboats (we call them pirogues here)and have had them actually climb into the boat from the water!! Dang thing had ZERO FEAR....and apparently ZERO SENSE, because we beat that thing with an oar till we were afraid we were going to beat a hole into the boat!! We have never had a gator try to get in a boat with us...and have been in the same water as several gators at times...although they have swam to the boat, but it seemed like it was usually more out of curiosity.

[bord1niowa]

Graciejane...was that your sister-in-law I met on the bench? I came to get ice from the machine one year and there was a lady standing on the bench for about 15 minutes and wouldn't come off until she KNEW the snake was gone. I told her it was headed the other direction, so she should be fine. Somebody walked her back to her campsite to protect her though. I thought it was quite hilarious at the time. The funny thing is the snake had come from the direction of her campsite and it didn't bother her because she didn't know. Like they said, leave them alone and they'll usually leave you alone.

[FlaFortCampster]

:rotfl: Campster...you are so right about moc's being agressive and downright mean.....Ive been in small flatboats (we call them pirogues here)and have had them actually climb into the boat from the water!! Dang thing had ZERO FEAR....and apparently ZERO SENSE, because we beat that thing with an oar till we were afraid we were going to beat a hole into the boat!! We have never had a gator try to get in a boat with us...and have been in the same water as several gators at times...although they have swam to the boat, but it seemed like it was usually more out of curiosity.

They are nasty!!! Many years ago, we were driving home and passed a bag of garbage on the side of the road. It was a road frequented by may folks who rode horses. In the bag was a large, fat, ugly moccasin. My brother told my dad to stop and he would kill it as if someone on horseback came up on that, it might end in disaster. He got the bumper jack out and swung at the snake's head. He missed the head and just caught the body. The freaky snake came up at him, mouth wide open, ready for a knock down drag out fight. I saw then why they are called cottonmouths. My brother didn't miss the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th time. Geez, foul creatures.

If I see any snakes, I just give them a WIDE path.

[ntsammy5]

Here's a picture of some kids playing with a small snake at the Fort



















http://img160.exs.cx/img160/4296/aaghh8iz.jpg

[AuburnJen92]

:rotfl: Campster...you are so right about moc's being agressive and downright mean.....Ive been in small flatboats (we call them pirogues here)and have had them actually climb into the boat from the water!! Dang thing had ZERO FEAR....and apparently ZERO SENSE, because we beat that thing with an oar till we were afraid we were going to beat a hole into the boat!!

You too? OMG! I was in a paddleboat with my uncle (who is only a couple years my senior) and we had one try to crawl in the boat with us. Granted, we were not where a paddle boat was supposed to be....but back to the snake...no fear...didn't want us near us. I am guessing it was a female because it came flying off the bank and I bet she was protecting her nest. I thought at the time my uncle was a fool for bringin a bat and an oar on a paddleboat, I changed my mind real quick.

Not to scare the OP, but most water snakes will go away from you. The fort can do what they can, but you are camping in the semi-wilderness and all.

[Born 2 Fish]

Here's a picture of some kids playing with a small snake at the Fort














http://img160.exs.cx/img160/4296/aaghh8iz.jpg


I'm pretty sure that I saw a buncha drunk otters ride'n that snake like they were at a rodeo,,last time we were at the Fort. :lmao:

[collcass]

A water moccasin aka cottonmouth, is IMHO, the nastiest snake in Florida. Unlike a rattlesnake that uses the rattle to tell you to stay away, those stinking moccasins are aggresive, fat, ugly. creepy, slithering suckers. And those are their good points.
Having said that, being a native Floridian, I have only encounter 2 moccasins and 2 rattlesnakes. MOST people get bit trying to pick a snake up or kill it or move it or mess with it. I don't like snakes either, but they are a part of Florida.
CM's will quickly eliminate the problem, as you pointed out.
I knew POR was wild and this confirms it. I'm staying over at the Fort. :lmao:
:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2:

Seriously, it was, by far, the largest snake I've seen. My kids had been walking the sidewalk between the pool and the playscape for awhile. All of the sudden my daughter says mom there's a snake on the sidewalk and it's bigger than I can tell you. i could see it from where we were sitting.

Funniest part was the head lifegaurd had been working there for years and never run into one - he was as petrified as I was!

[FlaFortCampster]

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2:

Seriously, it was, by far, the largest snake I've seen. My kids had been walking the sidewalk between the pool and the playscape for awhile. All of the sudden my daughter says mom there's a snake on the sidewalk and it's bigger than I can tell you. i could see it from where we were sitting.

Funniest part was the head lifegaurd had been working there for years and never run into one - he was as petrified as I was!

There is a possiblity that it was an indigo snake if it was that big and black. Believe it or not they are the largest non venomous snake in the Southeast, but I'm not about to walk up to one and ask. I saw one of these down in Boca Raton one time and it was HUGE.

[Tent Camping Mom]

I've seen 4 snakes at the Fort. Twice in the 1500 loop...black racers. One large water snake in the 300 loop (he was sunbathing in the middle of the loop)...we were looping in our golf cart and was stuck behind the grounds service truck that was getting "rid" of him. Don't know where they took him but he was alive and well when they put him in the back of that truck. The other one was on the bike trail to WL, it was just a little garter snake.

[FlaFortCampster]

I've seen 4 snakes at the Fort. Twice in the 1500 loop...black racers. One large water snake in the 300 loop (he was sunbathing in the middle of the loop)...we were looping in our golf cart and was stuck behind the grounds service truck that was getting "rid" of him. Don't know where they took him but he was alive and well when they put him in the back of that truck. The other one was on the bike trail to WL, it was just a little garter snake.


Black racers are cool, they race...the other way.

[coccinelle]

I have to find a way to upgrade to an hotel...can't even look at the pictures you posted without shaking and criing. I am in so much trouble right now! How to get an hôtel for 5 for the price of the campground????

[Shan-man]

Coccinelle, don't let the silly boys (and a girl or two) scare you. The chances of you even SEEING a snake are pretty slim, the chance of one causing you problems are infinitesimal -- and frankly, you are not improving your chances by moving to a hotel... unless it is outside the state of Florida (or GA, AL, MS, LA, etc)! If you are really that scared, may I recommend DisneyLand California, or Disneyland Paris? You are about as likely to see a snake at the parks as at FW. I have spent a lot of time walking along the canals, and along the beach, and the nature trail to the WL looking for wildlife and I have seen 1-2 snakes (harmless rat snakes) and NO gators. I have seen wild turkeys, deer, commando squirrels, otters, rabbits, and armadillos. Nothing to be afraid of. Unless you are planning on renting a canoe and going to the swampy areas and beating the water-side trees with your paddle, I seriously doubt you will see any creature that could do you harm.

That said: if you are really petrified by the mere thought of possibly seeing a snake (or spider, or lizard, or ...) then maybe camping is not for you and that just means more availability for us "hardy" Fort Folk! LOL

[coccinelle]

Coccinelle, don't let the silly boys (and a girl or two) scare you. The chances of you even SEEING a snake are pretty slim, the chance of one causing you problems are infinitesimal -- and frankly, you are not improving your chances by moving to a hotel... unless it is outside the state of Florida (or GA, AL, MS, LA, etc)! If you are really that scared, may I recommend DisneyLand California, or Disneyland Paris? You are about as likely to see a snake at the parks as at FW. I have spent a lot of time walking along the canals, and along the beach, and the nature trail to the WL looking for wildlife and I have seen 1-2 snakes (harmless rat snakes) and NO gators. I have seen wild turkeys, deer, commando squirrels, otters, rabbits, and armadillos. Nothing to be afraid of. Unless you are planning on renting a canoe and going to the swampy areas and beating the water-side trees with your paddle, I seriously doubt you will see any creature that could do you harm.

That said: if you are really petrified by the mere thought of possibly seeing a snake (or spider, or lizard, or ...) then maybe camping is not for you and that just means more availability for us "hardy" Fort Folk! LOL

I love camping...i grow up camping with my family and we take the kids camping every summer....but here we don't have thoses big snakes. I am ok with every thing else,love animals and even bugs and little lezards, but seiing thoses pictures really scared me ! I think i will go to the petshop close to home just to at lest be able to look at a snake. I know how ridiculus it is trust me!!!! Just tell me they wont enter my tent.....I will not cancel my trip, i have been waiting for this trip for so long!!!! I will try to trust you when you say that it is likely that i wont see to many of them to close!

[Shan-man]

They won't enter your tent. If you see one, it will be slithering away from you, and it won't be a big one, and it won't be venomous. The biggest snake I've seen at the Fort was as big around as my thumb, and was scared to death of me, and non-venomous. Enjoy your trip and don't sweat the (infinitesimally) small stuff!

[Tent Camping Mom]

I agree with Shan-man, don't sweat it. More than likely you may never see a snake at the Fort, and if you do, they are more scared of you than you of them.

FYI, you will see more deer than you will snakes, especially down the WL trail. :)

[coccinelle]

They won't enter your tent. If you see one, it will be slithering away from you, and it won't be a big one, and it won't be venomous. The biggest snake I've seen at the Fort was as big around as my thumb, and was scared to death of me, and non-venomous. Enjoy your trip and don't sweat the (infinitesimally) small stuff!

I will do my best! And thank you so much!

[coccinelle]

I agree with Shan-man, don't sweat it. More than likely you may never see a snake at the Fort, and if you do, they are more scared of you than you of them.

FYI, you will see more deer than you will snakes, especially down the WL trail. :)

Thanks!

[WalkingintheFog]

Whew... I was concerned there were more serious comments than joking ones!

But that big snake.... it's a blow-up? or plastic?

Kaa was always the nastiest part of reading The Jungle Book!

[DisneyBishops]

I have to find a way to upgrade to an hotel...can't even look at the pictures you posted without shaking and criing. I am in so much trouble right now! How to get an hôtel for 5 for the price of the campground????


This is florida and yes we have snakes. I have lived here for ever and never been bitten by a snake. I live next to a canal and very seldom see one. If i do it is usually an indigo or black racer.

In all the trips i have been to the fort, i have seen maybe 2 snakes and they were non poison.

Just have fun and don't worry about the snakes. You probably won't even see one while you are there.

We like them here in florida they eat the mosquitos, who by the way bother us much more that snakes.

[BigDaddyRog]

LOL......Just to make sure you guys know.......this picture was a complete joke!!! Florida DOES NOT have snakes like this...this snake isnt even native to North America!!! I PROMISE you...you WILL NOT see ANYTHING like this at the Fort!!!! But it WAS kinda funny!!!
http://img160.exs.cx/img160/4296/aaghh8iz.jpg

Even THAT big ol'snake is trying his best to get the heck away from those little mean kids!!

[cjordan08]

I think the snakes are just as scared of you as you are of them. :scared1:

[WalkingintheFog]

:laughing: The thing is, up here in Canada, in the summer the mosquitos get so big so fast, that people don't let their little dogs out alone... so, it didn't seem that farfetched that there might actually be snakes like that in the southern climes!


:rotfl: :rotfl:

[coccinelle]

LOL......Just to make sure you guys know.......this picture was a complete joke!!! Florida DOES NOT have snakes like this...this snake isnt even native to North America!!! I PROMISE you...you WILL NOT see ANYTHING like this at the Fort!!!! But it WAS kinda funny!!!

Even THAT big ol'snake is trying his best to get the heck away from those little mean kids!!

You scared me so much !!!!Silly you!!!:scared: I can't even look at the picture....:rotfl2: Thanks for telling me!!!!!!!! I will be able to sleep now !!!!:worship:

[AuburnJen92]

Black racers are cool, they race...the other way.

not unless you corner them, then they bite (yes, i was a dumb kid)

[FlaFortCampster]

not unless you corner them, then they bite (yes, i was a dumb kid)

:eek: You cornered a snake...HELLO :eek:

[Gatordad]

there's snakes everywhere.... I saw one next to our site in 1700, he was lucky i had no shovel.

[AuburnJen92]

:eek: You cornered a snake...HELLO :eek:

i didn't say it was smart, now did i?

their bite is like rubbing 80 grit sandpaper on your hand...

did i mention we used to use the lizards as earrings? those little buggers won't let go for at least 30 minutes!

[vick]

i didn't say it was smart, now did i?

their bite is like rubbing 80 grit sandpaper on your hand...

did i mention we used to use the lizards as earrings? those little buggers won't let go for at least 30 minutes!

No live earrings for me!