Snakes

[mm1971]

Just a word of warning, always look down as your walk. Just got back from an 8 day stay at Saratoga Springs and had an excellent time. As I was walking to the bus stop one morning, I got the urge to look down. Fortunately I did as there was a 3 to 4 foot black snake getting ready to bite me. Wasn't really his fault as I was about to step on him. Of course, I screamed, jumped up and ran to the bus stop with everyone looking at me like I was nuts. By the time I looked back, the snake was gone.

I talked to my aunt who knows a snake expert and we've determined that it was probably a black racer (non-poisonous). I guess they're feisty but usually stay away from humans. My son and I noticed a lot of toads around the resort at night and figured the snake found dinner and was hanging around.

Needless to say, I looked down no matter where I was walking for the rest of our stay.

Yes, it was a black racer. They are actually pretty common around there and we have seen them more at the water parks than anywhere else. Pretty much run away from you when they see you. I'll bet he's glad you looked down as well.

 

[GeorgeG]

It's always a good idea to be aware of where you walk, sit, reach, etc., since snakes are pretty common as well as fire ants, chewing gum, and other messy, sticky stuff common to crowds. After being in Florida for awhile looking around becomes a "sixth sense."

 

[BayouMickey]

I just want to add to this warning...

Please be wary from above.. there's been reports of evil bird victims..

 

[chemnerd09]

I don't think I'll be sharing this thread with my mom. She is absolutely terrified of snakes but they don't bother me. I have a habit of always watching where I walk. I have worked at zoos and am currently working at a center for injured birds of prey. I'm responsible for a couple of birds who spend most of there time on the ground so its become second nature for me to always watch where I step. I remember hearing about a snake that made it into someone's luggage at the POP on these boards. I shared that one with my mom and she made us change our reservation from there. I didn't bother telling her it wouldn't make a difference . If anything decides to grace us with their presence, I'm sure it won't be a problem. At least for me.

 

[FanOfStitch]

...........Why did it have to be SNAKES!?!




.

This was my thought exactly.

 

[mickeystoontown]

There was a snake underneath the display table in Mouse Gears at Epcot. It caused quite a commotion amongst the guests including me. We have also seen snakes in the Magic Kingdom and at the AKL.

 

[FanOfStitch]

I wonder what species it is. Last year we stayed at Indian Rocks Beach and I took this photo of us walking across the little wooden walkway to the beach because I like photos of walkways, stairwells, doorways, etc. I got home and looked through all my photos and in that photo there was a black snake slithering across the wooden walkway! I didn't even see it when I took the picture because believe me I would have said something. It was about 5 feet long, no idea what species it was, but maybe the same as what you saw?

We're guessing it was a black racer. Thankfully, non-poisonous

A couple of years ago we had a two foot black snake decide that it wanted to go from the wooded area to the right of the turnstiles to the wooded area near the Guest Services building. In its prerogative as a contractor to provide entertainment to Disney Guests it decided that the best entertainment would be to take the most direct route so it would be seen by a maximum number of Guests.

I realized it was non-poisonous but still kept the Guests away from him. There was one girl, about three years old, that was very interested in the snake, and I made it a point to keep warning her to stay away from him.

Just before the snake went into the wooded area she darted forward and picked up the snake in the middle to look at him closely. After a few seconds she realized she was holding a snake and freaked out; tossing the snake into the woods and ran screaming/crying to her mother and held her mother tightly around her leg. Many people, including her mother, were laughing.

That would have been pretty funny. I didn't cry, but I'll bet that our screams were pretty similar.

You seem to have handled the situation admirably. black racers are common, but so are black rat snakes. The black rat has a white underbelly. Now, I'm guessing you didn't get a good view of his belly, lol. But both are harmless to humans and beneficial to have around, especially with all the complaints I keep reading about rats! Poor thing had prolly nearly been stepped on a half dozen times already that morning and you were the last straw. Glad to hear all involved got out unharmed.

No, I didn't stick around to check the belly, I just got the heck out of dodge. Absolutely a lesson learned about watching where you walk.

Aw man......I miss all the good rare character sightings.

 

[FanOfStitch]

There was a snake underneath the display table in Mouse Gears at Epcot. It caused quite a commotion amongst the guests including me. We have also seen snakes in the Magic Kingdom and at the AKL.

WOW. It must have been the month for snakes to be vacationing at WDW. Maybe they got some type of free dining too?

 

[PEC]

Couple of things. Though non-poisonous treat all snakes with respect. If even a non-poisonous one bites you, you will want to seek medical attention to get the wound cleaned. There mouths are very dirty and how they bite you often leads more to infection than a poisonous snake.
That said of the native United States snakes the one you probably want to respect the most is the Water Mocassin. It is very territorial and will go after you if you are in its territory. Yes it is poisonous also. Most other snakes will try to get away as they are more scared of you than you are of them. Southern Florida has a problem with non-native snakes. I do not know how they fit in this equation.
The one that will scare you the most is a full grown Eastern Diamond Back. They are HUGE. I have seen black snakes as long as the Eastern Diamond Back I saw in the wild but I have never seen one as big around.

Oh when growing up we never mind having a black snake around our barn to keep rats and mice away. That said whenever walking and out of know where there he was I would still do the classic snake dance move for a few steps.

 

[Chief Powhatan]

There was a snake underneath the display table in Mouse Gears at Epcot. It caused quite a commotion amongst the guests including me. We have also seen snakes in the Magic Kingdom and at the AKL.

He had a coupon he needed to use before 1 pm.

 

[Dislover1991]

We went last April and just as we checked into All Star Movies and were walking to our building, I saw a snake run through the bushes. No one in my family believed me and said I was probably just delirious from the 13 hour ride

Then it crawled out of the bushes and ran across them

It was pretty hot & humid and had just rained, so it was perfect weather for a snake to roam around.

 

[Talking Hands]

Had a black snake slither across the walkway over by the Nemo show when it was Tarzan Rocks. Seen them at Ft Wilderness cabins. Just Florida. I just avoid them

 

[Katelly]

Ugh! All this talk about snakes.....it's difficult for me to even write that word, that's how much I fear them! Even the photo's of snakes in this thread freaked me out.

I'm fine with spiders, lizards, rodents....they don't bother me at all, but sn***s

Thankfully, I've never seen one on any of our trips to Disney nor any of our trips to other parts of Florida. On our upcoming trip we'll be staying at POR and if I see a snake, trust me, I'll be more afraid of it than it is of me.

Now I'm learning that they can climb and can be three to four feet long!

I'm going to have to try and be brave I guess.

 

[Talking Hands]

The ones you see at WDW are small in comparison to the ones we are finding in So Fla. We are now finding pythons in people's back yards. WE live about 5 miles east of the Everglades. I just hope I never find one in my yard. I would freak for sure.

 

[LisaTC]

Give me a snake anyday...spiders, they are Lucifer. They can be on you and you won't even know it.

 

[Kristine316]

Couple of things. Though non-poisonous treat all snakes with respect. If even a non-poisonous one bites you, you will want to seek medical attention to get the wound cleaned. There mouths are very dirty and how they bite you often leads more to infection than a poisonous snake.
That said of the native United States snakes the one you probably want to respect the most is the Water Mocassin. It is very territorial and will go after you if you are in its territory. Yes it is poisonous also. Most other snakes will try to get away as they are more scared of you than you are of them. Southern Florida has a problem with non-native snakes. I do not know how they fit in this equation.
The one that will scare you the most is a full grown Eastern Diamond Back. They are HUGE. I have seen black snakes as long as the Eastern Diamond Back I saw in the wild but I have never seen one as big around.

Oh when growing up we never mind having a black snake around our barn to keep rats and mice away. That said whenever walking and out of know where there he was I would still do the classic snake dance move for a few steps.

Why the heck did I read this??

I have a serious fear of snakes. Oh, I know most are harmless and just there for a good meal, but, truth is they terrify me.

When I was a little kid, I was ok with watching a scary movie but, the one show that was off limits to me was "Wild Kingdom" because they would often show the really big nasty snakes. Even today the idea of one of those big pythons down in Florida gives me nightmares. Seriously.

 

[AuroraRora]

We had a snake slither out of the bushes when we were at the summer/winter golf course at WDW... my brother shooed it with his golf club and it went back in the bushes. And there was one in the bushes by the Safari line at AK, didn't get much of a look at it myself though.

I'm with a previous poster - snakes are fine but spiders... NO!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I was at Poly last week, Fiji building, and I had TONS of cute little green frogs stuck to my sliding window door on a daily basis. I will admit it made the balcony less desirable, but I did go out there!

I hate snakes and have a real phobia, but I have seen them many times at WDW and have just learned to except that they are there and hope I don't have any close encounters. My exposures have all been from at least 10 feet away. The stories of them in rooms, fallling from trees, etc. really freak me out! I will admit the snake threads get me, morbid curiousity I guess, and it's sad but true that I am always looking forward on the paths to make sure I don't step on one! That being said, they have a purpose and it's their habitat, so we will have to co-exist because WDW is my favorite place!