Snake in France!

[currycook]

Snake in France, I thought this was about the President of France. Then I read it and saw it was just a good ol black snake in the WS. LOL

 

[Shelly]

I was just telling my hubby how awful it must be to work in France right now. I mean of course I would be nothing but polite, but we all are aware
not everyone is sensible.
And now "Snakes" it would be extra awful to work there.

 

[Timbo]

I have never seen a snake in my 5 visits to WDW but when staying at Coronado Springs in April of 2000 there was a small (5 to 6 ft) alligator swimming in the lake. I was told that this is common and that Disney has a Animal Control Department to handle these situations.

 

[crusin'minnie]

This is so disturbing!! Not snakes in my vacation paradise.

I will definately have a nightmare over this. If I see a snake in real life or TV or talk about one I always have a nightmare- not that night but the next night. There is a one day delay. I find it so weird-anybody else experience this.

 

[miko]

France has asked for snake inspectors to come in and evaluate the alleged incident. They also promised to boycott any actions to remove the snakes.

 

[mom_rules]

So which are we talking about:
(Per Samirella's previous post)
black racer which aren't poisonous, or (especially with all of the water nearby) a water moccosin which are poisonous.

And what will they do now? Do they trap and release somewhere else?

 

[currycook]

I'm sure it has to be just the good kind of black snake that all the farmers love to have around because they eat the mice. Oh no, I hope Micky stays away from there or we could have an international incident. "French black snake eats the mouse!" Those are headlines that really could cause France problems.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Here are some interesting stats to consider before everyone freaks out and wonders if they are going to encounter something that will kill them while on vacation:

38 of the 44 species of snakes found in Florida are NON-venomous.

3 of the 6 venomous snakes are rattlesnakes. With the exception of the pygmy, you will hear it before you see it. The pygmy is normally quite small.

The eastern coral snake is a colorful red, black, and yellow snake. Their fangs are further back in their mouth. Many bites do not even transmit venom.

The southern copperhead is more of a worry. These are quite colorful red/orange/amber colored. They can be fiesty, but like all snakes, tend to shy away from a lot of walking traffic.

The ONLY venomous snake that the one in France could have been is the cottonmouth (also called water mocassin). These are mostly dark or black with lighter colored markings on the head. They get their name from the cotton white lining of their mouth that they display when threatened. Their scales are ridged, giving it a matte look. They are found all over Florida, mostly near water.

One of the most common, or certainly one of the most encountered snakes in Florida is the Southern Black Racer. These are long, slender black snakes with smooth scales. This gives them what has been described as a "satiny" appearance. They are non-venomous and, in Florida, frogs, lizards, and small snakes make up most of its diet.

Some information on this and similar snakes:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/Colubercpriapus.htm

It should be noted that most snakes will flee given the choice. It is only when cornered, or perhaps stepped on, that they will bite.

Ted

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by Timbo
...when staying at Coronado Springs in April of 2000 there was a small (5 to 6 ft) alligator swimming in the lake. I was told that this is common...

Of course it is common. It's Florida and WDW is built on swampland. The area is the natural habitat for snakes, alligators, deer, turkeys, bears, turtles, etc.

 

[currycook]

This is Florida. There are lots of snakes. They just caught a four foot rattler that was worrying everyone in large subdivision.

 

[loriandmatt]

While setting up camp at FW two years back we enountered the best kind of snake....a dead one. (swished on the paved road running thru our loop.)

- lori

 

[Master Grayson]

Just goes to show ya that even the snakes are leaving France!

Seriously , at FW a few years ago I was throwing some trash away and had a 2-1/2" black snake fall from an overhanging branch and land on my back!! Needless to say I needed a change of undies!

 

[Horizons16]

thats funny... i remember seeing a rabbit once near where HORIZONS used to be... thats it for non disney animals thoug

 

[Ted and Holly]

Rabbit = Thumper
Snake = Kaa

Both Disney animals.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

garydove and miko, those were too funny!

BTW, in protest of France's stand on Iraq several of the more well know restaurants in Atlanta poured part of their stock of French wines into the Chattahhoochee River Monday.

Then EPA came along and stopped them for poluting the river!