Forget the alligators.....watch out for SNAKES!

[10drum]

Maybe I should pack my long handle shovel, it works pretty well as snake terminator.

 

[AK4EVER]

There are almost 3000 known species of snakes in the world. Of those, less than 10% are venomous and among those, even fewer are deadly-to-humans venomous.

Your chances of getting bitten by a mosquito are greater than those of getting bitten by a nasty, venomous snake. And the mosquito could carry malaria, dengue, and numerous potentially deadly diseases in that bite!

And, unlike the deadliest of snakes, the mosquito *will* chase you for your blood!

So, add me to those discouraging unfounded, ignorant fears and encouraging getting over the traditional prejudice about snakes.

 

[boltjames]

Two years ago, after I neglected to tip a housekeeper, I found a copperhead rattlesnake in my pillowcase. It bit me, so I called housekeeping and they shot me with the antivenom and brought me some towels.

Because this was above-and-beyond normal duties, I gave them a $3.00 tip. It would have been more, but I think they put the snake in there to begin with.

BJ

 

[Disneydenise]

Dear god where was this snake in the room thing? I really don't venture to too many places but WDW. I want to make sure I tip well if I go to that locale

 

[raidermatt]

Your chances of getting bitten by a mosquito are greater than those of getting bitten by a nasty, venomous snake.

Very true. Of course, the chance of catching anything from one mosquito bite is still slim, while one bite from a venomous snake will at the very least ruin your day. Its not like you are limited to one insect or reptile you can be aware of...

Again, the smaller you are, or more to the point, the smaller your children are, the more dangerous a venomous snake bite becomes. You can choose to mock this all you wish, but its still something to be aware of. We just get the occasional rattler around here, but I've spent time in Louisiana and there are plenty of water mocassins, and people do get bit. They rarely die, but that's hardly a reason to not at least be aware of what you are doing.

Its not like one will find snakes all over the walkways and such, but if you or your children decide to go rummaging through bushes or foliage, you should be aware of what you could encounter.

 

[smjj]

and I would not take some documenterary that they probably won't bite as gospel. We were staying on the thrid floor in Rapi Nui. We were on our way back to the room and on the landing was a huge rat snake. It startled us and we startled it. It struck out at us but missed. We called quest services and they came in just a few minutes but by then it was gone. They said they are not poisonuous but can hurt if bitten. He said they climb up the bamboo next to the building looking for food. That was all my wife needed to hear, we were on the end and right off out balcony was a huge stand of bamboo..smjj

 

[PlutoPal]

Snakes are bad but dont you think that alligators are worse? I can deal with snakes but alligators...na.. i dont like them too much...

 

[Babblin'Boo]

Now, this thread is one big chuckle.

Some of you need to grab a book and read about what you talk about before you keep making fools of yourselves. If you won't trust the research of a professional herpetologist (Ph D) in a reputable, science-based documentary, then by all means, get yourself to the local public library and grab the latest encyclopedia on snakes. Read ANYTHING written by literate, educated people on snakes! The alarmists are always the ones with the least amount of knowledge.



Boltjames, I think your housekeeper left your snake on the grass in front of my resort room after you left, you Scrooge! She trained it to sense my footsteps and wait patiently for me to get closer to it before it jumped on me and attacked me. I swore to myself I won't walk on the grass of any parks or resorts without spotting all the strategically placed, Floridian venomous, man-killing snakes.

...And you'd think that urban rush would chase them away!

 

[GeorgeG]

I was told by a cast member some time ago that all the construction has the snakes more on the move than they used to be. I guess they are, for the most part, content to stay in the remote areas, but when that starts getting bulldozed they will evacuate to anywhere the bulldozers aren't.

 

[smjj]

I thing some of the posters on this thread are more vemonious then the snakes, no need for that. This thread needs to be closed down..smjj

 

[antnee]

I'd like to know what hotel had the the snake in the pillow
case???

While at WDW last year I was stung by an angry bee while riding the monorail. I went to the poly as the gave me a kit to use myself( I had never been bitten, so I didnt know what to do) so I went to the First Aid station at the MK and the helped me.

 

[caitycaity]

wow, i can't believe some of the posts on this thread! the fact is some people are afraid of snakes. whether that fear is founded or not isn't going to make them less afraid. i mean, look at how many people are afraid of flying, the statistics show it is safer than driving a car, but people are till afraid of it and i don't see anyone jumping down those people's throats!

 

[ripleysmom]

Let's see so far we have the documentary watching, textbook reading set saying Nah..a snake won't bite you.

Then we have the lived on a farm, grew up with them my whole life set saying "Yes..they can and will"

Hmm....life experience vs. academia....guess who I pick.

Also for the documentary watching people, perhaps you should turn on The Crocodile Hunter. Seems to me that snakes go after him and try to bite him a lot....course I wish they would succeed but that is for another thread.

 

[HorizonsFan]

Here's another "grew up in the middle of nowhere in Central Texas" opinion. Snakes will not come out of the woods and track you down so that they can bite you. They are just as frightened of you as you are of them. Having said that, I must also say this. Snakes will bite you if they feel threatened. Making a snake feel threatened is not difficult. Stepping very close to snakes can make them strike. I have the boot to prove it...
I am also amazed that the pygmy rattler didn't strike. I don't have much experience with rattle snakes. My experience is more with copperheads, cotton mouths, and coral snakes. It's funny, the coral snake has the most deadly venom of the three but has the poorest delivery system. Its fangs are so soft, it can only puncture the thinnest of skin. Remember, "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow; Red touch black, poison lack". LOL, some things you never forget.
I don't think WDW has a snake problem. Just stay on the beautiful, well lit paths and out of the woods.

 

[Talking Hands]

Wanda,
I would not take such a chavilier attitude about poisonous snakes in Disney. We recently had a person bitten by a pigmy rattler her in Miami. There has been mention of a low supply of antivenom.
Yes most snakes will flee but if they feel threatened they will bite. And they can be found in any area that is lush with vegetation. We have found various kinds of critters in my own back yard and that included snales. Good reason to keep the yard cut and have it done by a service
Living in Florida I am all to aware of the possibilities of snake bites and their dangers. I also give any and all snakes a wide berth.

 

[TXDeb]

Take it from another Texan who lives in a rural area, snakes will chase you on occasion. I've seen it happen too. As someone else has said, they usually don't bite unless provoked, but since they are often hidden, you can sometimes provoke them unintentionally.

My cousin is a director at a Central Texas zoo, and she loves snakes. Think of a female Steve Irwin. She has several pet snakes at her house, and has even been to several exotic, remote areas on snake gathering expeditions. According to her, snakes do have "personalities", and some tend to be more nervous and/or aggressive than others, even among the same species. She is always advising us to be careful where we walk around our property. She has taught my kids not to fear snakes, but to respect them for the wild creatures that they are.

BTW - My cousin has gotten bitten a few times while handling snakes from the zoo - the latest was by a type of rattlesnake during a demonstration for a group of elementary school kids. With blood trickling down her arm, she continued her talk, just taking a few minutes to clean up her arm and remind the kids that snakes can bite, and that is why you should never touch a snake that you find in the wild. After, finishing up she went to have the bite checked out and anti-venom administered. It's all in a days work to her!

 

[Tramp'sLady]

OK, I just have to put my 2 cents in here. This snake issue must be a real emotional one for some people. I, personally, really appreciated Faerie_wings original post, notifying us of the kinds of snakes at WDW. I would have just assumed that every snake there was relatively safe since I am NOT a snake expert. However, my 5 year old DS, who thinks he is Steve Irwin Jr, DOES think he's an expert. Since we don't have alot of snakes around our house, he has no fear of them. I could totally see him as one of those kids surrounding the pygmy. I am almost certain that he would also try to touch it, no matter how many times we have told him not to. When it comes to reptiles, he thinks "the fiercer, the better". Now, before all you child defenders jump all over me for not "hovering over my child every second of the day" or "not thoroughly explaining the dangers of wild animals", I and every other mother of a young boy will tell you that they are quick and curious and will not walk next to you when meandering down a "jungle path". And things like this only take a second. I don't understand how a simple sharing of stories about snake experiences turns into a mud-slinging for some people. People are entitled to their concerns and fears. That's what I thought these boards are about. Now, I am not going to loose sleep or cancel my trip over this, but I will be a little more cautious in October. I appreciate the heads-up Faerie_wings!

 

[sandramaac]

I greatly apprecite the 'original' poster giving us the heads up on snakes at DW. Yes there is the gator talk on the boards but I never really gave it a second thought as far as the snakes go. And as with the gators, the is no need to go into panic mode, it has been VERY interesting reading others encounters with snakes. Thanks

However, I really do feel that the 'debate' portion of this topic is better suited to the debate board. Really some of the comments have been just a little nasty and a little confrontational. The comment was just an FYI, and I would hate to discourage other such post from our Dis'ers.

Hey thanks again for the info

 

[Tramp'sLady]

AMEN TO THAT Sandramaac!!!
I also apologize about my "child defenders" comment - I guess that sounded a little nasty and confrontational. It's a shame that I was anticipating a backlash about my parenting skills (the "electric shock" thread was fresh in my mind).

 

[Tess]

LOL ripleysmom! A little bit of the crocodile hunter goes a looonnnggg way!

I freely admit my absolute intimidation by snakes, poisonous or non. Ditto alligators! I'm just one of those folks who can't even stand to look at pictures or visit the reptile house at the zoo. I am just exceedingly creeped out by these creatures and that's my problem! I know it's irrational and, despite the negative posters' opinions, I don't care they think I'm a complete wacko for failing to get over it! We all have our foibles even them.

My husband and I encountered a snake at GF while lounging on the verandah as our children slept. They were very young and in those days we returned to our hotel early for them to go to bed. Husband and I were just chatting at the end of the MK fireworks and a storm kicked up. He was leaning on the rail while I was seated. He looks down and announces "WOW, you should see this cool snake coming up the side of the patio." It, evidently, wasn't intimidated by our conversation or presence just inches away. Maybe it was just being hospitable and wanted to join us for a snack? It proceeded to slither onto the patio as I am doing the hysteric's dance across the chair, table, chair, and through the door to safety! I was not waiting around to see if it would strike or not--after all, it was brave enough to slither up beside us (despite voices, activity, lights, etc.) instead of slithering toward the lagoon (dark and inactive).

I'll hang onto my irrational fear and give all reptiles and many amphibians wide berth at WDW or anywhere else! No amount of book smarts is a substitute for common sense.


BTW, don't get me started about the one pulled from the lazy river ride at BB--I'm sure it, too, was harmless--that's why the lifeguard grabbed it with a LONG pole rather than his hands. Maybe they didn't read all those books about snakes or watch the documentary. Hmm, let's think about this--2 snake encounters after (at the time) only having visited 5x--I wouldn't make book on it, but not the longest of odds either.