Snakes at FtW

[Gatordad]

While visiting TL a couple of years ago during Spring Break, we saw a large black snake slither across a busy path not too far from one of the entrances to the lazy river. A young girl nearly stepped on it, however, there was much screaming by the folks nearby which caught her attention at the last second. This happened during the middle of the day and let me tell you, that snake was big! The snake then hurried off into some vegetation. I have no idea what kind of snake it was or if it was dangerous but it sure looked scary. Maybe one of the Florida natives knows what kind of snake this was and if there really was any need for alarm.

if it was black and thin, it was a black racer, and they are harmless unless you try to kiss it.

The only good snake, is a dead snake.

 

[des1954]

While visiting TL a couple of years ago during Spring Break, we saw a large black snake slither across a busy path not too far from one of the entrances to the lazy river. A young girl nearly stepped on it, however, there was much screaming by the folks nearby which caught her attention at the last second. This happened during the middle of the day and let me tell you, that snake was big! The snake then hurried off into some vegetation. I have no idea what kind of snake it was or if it was dangerous but it sure looked scary. Maybe one of the Florida natives knows what kind of snake this was and if there really was any need for alarm.

Here's your snake....

Eastern Indigo Snake
(a.k.a. Gopher Snake)​

​

Non-venomous, non-aggressive.​

The average adult size is 60-74 inches. It seeks out gopher tortoise burrows to live in (hence the nick-name). Indigos are widespread throughout the state, but nowhere are they abundant. They occur in hardwood forests, moist hammocks, pine flatwoods, prairies, and around cypress ponds. They are carnivorous and will eat almost any animal up to about squirrel size. Indigos feed especially heavily on frogs and snakes. They can eat rattlesnakes and other pit vipers because they are immune to their venom. ​

 

[homebrew2]

Florida Pygmy Rattlesnake
(aka - Dusky Pygmy Rattler)​

The Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake is found throughout the state of Florida. This snake is common in lowland pine flatwoods, prairies, around lakes and ponds, and along the borders of many freshwater marshes and cypress swamps. Possibly the habitat in which Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes are most frequently encountered, at least in south Florida, is the banks of canals running through marshes and prairies. ​

I have seen these snakes along drainage canals and on Rail's to Trails conversion paths here in Florida. I can honestly say I have not seen one at FtW. However, that does not mean they are not there.​

Hey Deb! Ain't them pygmy snakes the ones that file their teeth to a point
so's they look more scary

 

[des1954]

Denny-

Those Pygmy rattlers are also expert head shrinkers!!

 

[StPeteDisneyFan]

When we were at the fort in April we saw a snake not 2 hours after getting to our site. I was not a happy camper. Then a few hours later we saw another one. Both times they were right off our site. Then an hour later we watched a rabbit chasing a snake. I figured if I could entice the rabbit to stay by our site there would be no more snakes. I guess it worked cause we didn't see another the whole week. Thank God!!!!

 

[Rhonda]

When we were at the fort in April we saw a snake not 2 hours after getting to our site. I was not a happy camper. Then a few hours later we saw another one. Both times they were right off our site. Then an hour later we watched a rabbit chasing a snake. I figured if I could entice the rabbit to stay by our site there would be no more snakes. I guess it worked cause we didn't see another the whole week. Thank God!!!!

A rabbit was CHASING a snake??

 

[Gatordad]

it's ok, they removed the rabbit eventually. It took two cast members to do it.

here's the videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg

 

[BigDaddyRog]

lolol...the pythons are slithering early today!!!

 

[THE GRIND]

[/IMG]
this was at the animal kingdom, he ate a bird..........

 

[usewickhouse]

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this was at the animal kingdom, he ate a bird..........

what kind of snake is that?

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

Have any of you seen this ? it was at the Fort. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuGvnX8Prtc

I need to go get some plastic snakes. This could be fun.


Jeff

 

[ntsammy5]

Neither snake is very tasty.

Rattlesnake - now that's some good eatin'.

I concur. There was some good eatin in SE Asia -- pythons were really good!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I concur. There was some good eatin in SE Asia -- pythons were really good!

O good lord! Is that a small child in it's belly? Really though, I have a friend from Burma who tells a story about when he was 2, his uncle snatched him up just before he became a python snack!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

what kind of snake is that?

I believe thats a corn snake.

 

[des1954]

what kind of snake is that?

I believe thats a corn snake.

Correct again, Rog!!

Corn Snake
(a.k.a. Red Rat Snake)​

This is a popular snake for those who like snakes as pets because they seldom strike and are non-venomous. They do get somewhat large, however (5-6') and can live 20-25 years. They are of the constrictor family. Their name is derived from the fact they have a pattern on their bellies similar to a cob of Indian Corn, and they tend to live in corn fields and around corn cribs due to the abundance of rodents found in these vicinties. Rodents are the corn snake's favorite food.​

 

[Gatordad]

there's only one problem with that one. It's head has not been severed from it's body with a shovel.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Pete, have you never had a pet snake as a kid or anything? My oldest daughter just recently gave away her Ball Python, because she was too lazy to keep going to the petshop for mice. I was cleaning up the backyard a couple of weeks ago and found a little ringneck under a branch and brought it in for my 2 younger kids to play with for a while...the sent him back to the woods after an hour or so...but, like you...when there's a big boy in my garage or around where my grandson plays...sometimes I have to make sure its gone for good. Im not real crazy about killing them, but safety first.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I agree with Pete - the only good snake is a dead snake. I got reamed out by a neighbor when I lived in California for killing a Western Diamond Back rattlesnake in my driveway because they were protected. My response "not in my driveway, they're not." I had two little kids and would gladly pay a fine over medical bills if one of them had gotten bitten.

 

[Rhonda]

Well, I'm in the minority here -- but I love snakes!

When anybody sees a snake, I'm the first one there to pick it up and play with it! Unless it's poisonous of course, then I keep a healthy distance, but still enjoy watching it!

Down here in SW Florida, we have lots of snakes. Only three poisonous ones--rattlers, coral snakes, and cottonmouths (which some people call water moccasins). They are all very easily identifiable, so I don't have to worry about accidentally picking one up! lol

 

[des1954]

Oh dear.... we're just going to have to start the "He Man, Snake Hater's Club", I see.

I, for one, like snakes!! Now mind you, I don't intend to cuddle up with one; but I have respect for them and a fascination with them. For the most part, snakes are non-aggressive, and will try like anything to get away from you. I think in the U.S., water moccassin's are the only snake that will actually chase you. (And of course, the guy I knew in college named "Snake" - but that was a long time ago in a land far away.)

My DH hates snakes, too. Whenever one gets in the garage he comes screaming to mama like a little boy to chase "snaky-wakey" away. I usually just pin it behind the head with a stick, pick it up, and put it in the empty lot across the street. (Yes, I have done this with a rattle snake.)

I hate seeing any critter killed unless it's truly a threat or has taken up residency in your home without an invitation. When I was a kid, I would scream bloody murder whenever I heard a mouse trap "snap"!

Although I watched Steve Irwin, and for the most part enjoyed his shows, a lot of what he did was "staged" and not natural at all. The best nature show and naturalist of all was "In the Wild With Harry Butler". It aired on TDC back when TDC first went on the air. He was another crazy Aussie, but he really knew his stuff. He didn't get all showy & fluffy, but just simply grabbed a critter, showed it to the camera man, shared some knowledge about the critter, and put it back. He was a true naturalist!