Snake Signs at Disney??

[scot@dvcstore]

Florida has lots of reptiles and amphibians but nothing to worry about. If so, they should put a large sign as you come south over the Georgia-Florida border.

 

[scot@dvcstore]

I think the signs they have at the rest areas are more of an educational tool for tourists. Lets tourists know what we have in our state to be cautious of. The signs are generally posted outside the bathrooms for maximum exposure.

 

[Dizneydawn]

My relatives in Minnesota always told us there were no venomous snakes in the state, maybe they just wanted to convince us to move there?
Not true and we also have poisonous spiders. My oldest was bit by a brown recluse spider about 8 years ago and it took 3 hospitals and a wazoo of specialists to think his leg was rotting away from something supposedly not here.

Anyway -OP -I am sorry it happened to your son and I think at least they can have a few lines about safe precautions for wildlife in their check in sheet. There are people from other countries who would never think of poisonous anything and if it can prevent a serious injury - they should. Highlight it with the same marker they show you the laundry and ice for goodness sake. Although that would not help for those not staying on property...something less invasive then signs but still responsible.

 

[Dizneydawn]

odd - just heard a Geiko commercial boasting facts.

Fact #1 - no poisonous snakes in Maine!!!

I thought my radio was stalking me!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Unfortunately, snakes are not like alligators. You can put a sign near the water areas to alert people about the possibility of alligators. Snakes can be anywhere. A few years ago, there was a pygmy rattler in the flowerbed near the seats where Davy Jones was performing. The place was packed with people watching the concert. I happened to see it because I was standing outside the seating area and saw unusual CM activity. They were keeping people away from the area where the snake was hold up. Once the show ended and they cleared people out, they came in to move the snake.

My point being, snakes are everywhere in Florida. Most are harmless. Stay out of wooded and high grass areas and you will most likely be okay. That being said, I've encountered snakes just walking down the sidewalk in my neighborhood. There is a black racer that lives in my front flower bed. I see him on a regular basis. He likes to curl up on my sidewalk to sleep in the sun.

The best thing to do is to keep your kids out of high foliage areas and tell them not to reach into bushes, grass, etc.

 

[monkeybug]

I think the signs they have at the rest areas are more of an educational tool for tourists. Lets tourists know what we have in our state to be cautious of. The signs are generally posted outside the bathrooms for maximum exposure.

I don't think posting signs will do any good, but I do wish they would put something in the pamphlets or in with the information in the room or something. For the same reason. As and educational tool for people coming from other parts of the country or world, to simply make them more aware and hopefully cautious. Something along the lines of stay on marked paths, don't reach into landscaping, don't try to chase/catch snakes.
I am never surprised by the things people should know, that they don't.
People can be ignorant to certain hazards because they aren't exposed to them where they live.
People in the Pacific Northwest know not to turn their backs to the ocean because of sneaker waves, people who normally go to the beach (or haven't been) in other parts of the world might be completely unaware of the danger.
People who grow up in the mountains know not to store food in their cars, some tourists don't. They learn when they wake up and their car has been opened like a can of anchovies.
I remember when I was younger my family went tubing in Minnesota, our other family members told us to watch out for snapping turtles. I thought it's just a little turtle, what could you possibly have to watch out for, a bruised bum cheek? a sore toe?
Than I move to Maryland and saw a giant dinosaur head come out of the lake one day. When I asked the ranger what kind of turtle that was he said "Oh that's a snapping turtle, that one looks big enough to break your arm" Holy crud! I could have had my little hiney bit clean off when I was tubing down that river, or been toe less!!!!!

 

[winterman]

60 above zero New Yorkers try to turn on the heat.... People in Maine plant gardens.

Love it!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I remember when I was younger my family went tubing in Minnesota, our other family members told us to watch out for snapping turtles. I thought it's just a little turtle, what could you possibly have to watch out for, a bruised bum cheek? a sore toe?
Than I move to Maryland and saw a giant dinosaur head come out of the lake one day. When I asked the ranger what kind of turtle that was he said "Oh that's a snapping turtle, that one looks big enough to break your arm" Holy crud! I could have had my little hiney bit clean off when I was tubing down that river, or been toe less!!!!!

About 6 years ago we saw what I thought to be a large cat or small dog walking accross the road in a fiends housing development.

As we drove closer the shape became obvious it was a huge turtle - Looked like it was over a foot off the ground and at least as wide as a garbage can lid....we do have huge snapper's here!!!!

Do you remember which river in MN you were in?

 

[monkeybug]

About 6 years ago we saw what I thought to be a large cat or small dog walking accross the road in a fiends housing development.

As we drove closer the shape became obvious it was a huge turtle - Looked like it was over a foot off the ground and at least as wide as a garbage can lid....we do have huge snapper's here!!!!

Do you remember which river in MN you were in?

I don't remember the name of the river, but we ended the trip at Phelps Mill (I know they have a big craft fair there every year) and had a potluck.
My relatives live in the Fergus Falls area for the most part, so I'm guessing it's somewhere near there.

I'm glad I didn't know exactly what a snapping turtle was back then, I never would have gotten in that tube!!!
On the same trip my Aunt had a snake slither up her shorts. Funniest thing I have ever seen in real life. Ever!
And I'm going to tell my family I'm on to them, they always said no poisonous snakes...now I know they have poisonous snakes, Tornadoes, and giant flesh eating turtles!!! Not to forget the state bird, the mosquito!!!! Minnesota is down right dangerous

 

[jlk806]

My son was bitten by a water moccasin on our last visit to Disney in May 2009. He spent 3 days in intensive care and received 12 vials of antivenin. If we had seen signs of any kind, I know we would have been more aware. I just don't want any other family to go through what ours did.

Oh my gosh! So sorry to hear. I have never even thought about it - where did it happen at a resort? Not that it couldnt happen anywhere but that is terrible I hope he is ok.

 

[Missytara]

There are snakes in almost every state. We've seen them at POR on several ocassions and they are afraid of people. I think I've actually read posts where people have found them in their resort room but they really won't hurt you unless you taunt them.

The same applies to alligators. They are natural to Florida and people live with them every day. Posting signs really won't make a difference.

That is funny, because I stay at POR almost every year and have never seen one. I have only seen one snake in my entire life and it was at my grandparents' house.

If I saw one, I would surely faint - they are my least favorite of all the animals I don't even want to see one on TV....

Seriously, I wish they had signs with a snake and one of those circles with the red lines over it.......meaning NO snakes. But then they couldn't read it, now could they?

 

[PammieJ]

webstah, love your post.

I've never seen a snake at WDW. But like anywhere else, you should try to be aware of your surroundings. I pass several "moose crossing" signs during my weekly travels, but don't panic every time I get behind the wheel. I just keep my eye out. Unlike a snake, a moose will total my car!

 

[camnhan]

Oh great...we are staying at POR in 45 days and I have the junior steve irwin living with me!!!
Now I have to remember to tell him "no alligator OR snake hunting on vacation!!"

 

[winterman]

I think I need to move to Maine!

We do have warning signs along the roadways:

Watch out for the MOOSE!!!!!!!!

 

[webstah]

Unlike a snake, a moose will total my car!

That it will, and probably get up and run away to boot!

 

[webstah]

We do have warning signs along the roadways:

Watch out for the MOOSE!!!!!!!!

And the closer you get to Canada, the signs say "Watch out for Moosehead beer"

 

[mousesweetie]

There are snake and alligator warning signs on the property of Shades of Green. And I have seen snakes there...water moccasins.

Just dont go by the water or high grass/mulch etc and you should be ok. Just be on the look out.

I have heard more than one story of golfers at disney saying you are warned not to follow your ball into the rough bc of alligators. Alligators obviously like to eat golf balls there!

Other than that I've never seen look out for snakes/alligator signs anywhere else at Disney.

For me its just a given.

 

[monkeybug]

webstah, love your post.

I've never seen a snake at WDW. But like anywhere else, you should try to be aware of your surroundings. I pass several "moose crossing" signs during my weekly travels, but don't panic every time I get behind the wheel. I just keep my eye out. Unlike a snake, a moose will total my car!

I've seen bear warnings, snake warnings, wave warnings, deer warnings, and in So. Cal. even people warnings...I don't panic every time either! I don't think that's the intention, I think it's to give people a heads up who might otherwise be unaware of the danger. (all though if moose are like elk and deer, there is not a lot you can do if one darts into the road. Except maybe pray that it doesn't dive through your windshield. Death by flying moose doesn't sound like the way to go.)
I don't think Disney should put up signs, because just like others have said, they would need them literally everywhere, but I do think (and am surprised if they don't) they should put some kind of literature in your check in papers. Most touristy places I've been too (granted most are directly involved with the wilderness) have posters or signage up instructing people on how to deal with the local wildlife or landscape, and precautions to take.
I doubt there are many people in the world who don't know that Florida has venomous snakes, and gators, but there might be some people who have no idea how to limit the chances of coming in contact with them, or what to do if you accidentally do. (what do you do if you accidentally come across a gator? Cry? Get out your inner Crocodile Hunter? Run? Ask him if he wants your TSM fastpass? All of the above???)

 

[pocuita]

yikes... booked cbr and now I am afraid of alligators.

Is it safe to be near the lake? Don't they come out to sit in the sun near shore?
eek

 

[monkeybug]

yikes... booked cbr and now I am afraid of alligators.

Is it safe to be near the lake? Don't they come out to sit in the sun near shore?
eek

I *think* that Disney removes alligators from the lakes that are large enough to do harm, and just leaves the little guys. I don't know if there are ways for larger ones to sneak in, but from what I understand Disney stays on top of things. You will be fine.