+Planet Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 (edited) Since we're posting snake pics, I'll join in. I caught this snake TRYING to eat a frog near my "To Anna and Archer, With Thanks" cache Edited June 10, 2004 by Planet Quote Link to comment
+gunx Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I was hiking the gunks on 6/11 and ran into both a copperhead and a black snake. I'm clueless what the black one was, other than big. I've hiked these hills nearly twice a week for five years now, these are the first two snakes I've seen. On the plus side, spring blueberries are almost ready and the laurels will be in full bloom this week or next. Quote Link to comment
+Team DEMP Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 Here's an update. In the same park that Brian and I saw the black snake and rattlesnake, today I saw another. This one rattled when it spotted me after I jumped off the rock it was lying under. Log at: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LU...ce-71173bff9956 Image: Quote Link to comment
coolclay Posted July 15, 2004 Share Posted July 15, 2004 Three weeks ago I decided to go hiking in the Bald Eagle State park in PA at White mountain. As I was on my way there I came upon a timber rattlesnake on the dirt road. I jumped out and held his head down with a stick and grabbed him. I had him behind the neck but he was a little more flexible than expected and was able to twist his head and jab me in the finger with a fang. I than admired him some more and let him go than continued on my way. I then realized my figure was swelling up, then I noticed my hand was swelling up, then I noticed my arm was swelling up. I then started throwing up for what turned out to be 2 hours. I then attempted to drive out of the woods which took about two hours. Then I drove home which took 3 hours. Then finally my mom took me to the hospital after about 7 hours. I had a dose of Cro-fab a sheep derived antivenon. My platelet count was down to 5,000. The normal persons is 250,000. I felt fine but they made me stay in the hospital for 10 days, administering Cro-fab once a day until my platelet count starting rising. Finally Dr.Donovan let me go after 10 days of boringness in the hospital. The nurses where all really nice however and I did have a good stay there. Moral of the story: Hold rattlesnakes heads down tight , and don't just grab right behind the head. Or better yet just admire poisonous snakes from a distance, or at least take another person with you. I'll post some pictures later! Quote Link to comment
+Team DEMP Posted July 15, 2004 Share Posted July 15, 2004 Coolclay... Tip #1... Don't pick up a snake. Tip #2... If you ignore tip #1 and get bit, seek help immediately! Tip #3... If you ignore tip #2 I think the gene pool is better off with you just lying down and passing in the woods! Glad you're ok, but don't do it again! Quote Link to comment
+Geo Ho Posted July 15, 2004 Share Posted July 15, 2004 Coolclay . . . cute but not too bright, eh?? Happy caching and stuff! After all . . . isn't that what it's all about?? Quote Link to comment
coolclay Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Here are the pictures of the rattler and of my arm and hand , Happy Caching Quote Link to comment
coolclay Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Why are my dumb pictures so little and everyone elses so big? Quote Link to comment
+Team DEMP Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Why are my dumb pictures so little and everyone elses so big? Because you thinked to the thumbnails. Here you go: Quote Link to comment
+GeoKender Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 You want sympathy? For THAT stunt!? Quote Link to comment
coolclay Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 Hey I never asked for sympathy, if I had the chance I'd probably do it over again, minus the biting me part Quote Link to comment
+AJ of Dunbar Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 Recently at the Braxton County Monster i spotted two black snakes on the way out, but couldnt get pictures. Just 15 minutes later down the road we spotted a rather long, seemed to be around 4', black snake. Heres some pictures. aj Quote Link to comment
+Team DEMP Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 Hey I never asked for sympathy, if I had the chance I'd probably do it over again, minus the biting me part Then heed my previous tips: Tip #1... Don't pick up a snake. Tip #2... If you ignore tip #1 and get bit, seek help immediately! Tip #3... If you ignore tip #2 I think the gene pool is better off with you just lying down and passing in the woods! Quote Link to comment
+RickIII Posted July 25, 2004 Share Posted July 25, 2004 Almost stepped on this one as it was laying across the trail while I was on The Hiker Series. Kept me thinking the rest of the way Quote Link to comment
+GeoKender Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 Almost stepped on this one as it was laying across the trail while I was on The Hiker Series. Kept me thinking the rest of the way That kinda looks like the Cannonball/Hoeferlin trail between Hiker Series caches 4 and 5 before the Ringwood/Ramapo intersection. Am I right? That's a biggy. I say it was 4' long and its girth probably 4". Please tell me it rattled. Quote Link to comment
+RickIII Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 I wish I could remember what part of the trail that was on so I could post it. I just happened to look down as I was walking, and there he was. Two more steps and we both would have jumped! No luck on the rattle. Actually, I think he might have been sleeping. Quote Link to comment
+Team Shibby Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 When I did the Hiker Series I was between cache 1 and 1a when I remembered BrianSnat mentioned something about a rattlesnake near one of his caches! Thats when I decided I needed something to make noise while I hiked along and as I reached into my pockets for my keys....I noticed I did not have them! I forgot them in the car! The whole time I was hiking I kept hearing chipmunks darting away through the underbrush along the trails as I walked passed them and all I could think about was rattlesnakes!! I got myself a little too paranoid a few times... Quote Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted July 27, 2004 Author Share Posted July 27, 2004 Funny - I never realized there'd be all these cool snake pictures posted when I started this thread way back when! Great pictures! p.s. To any fellow snake-phobic's out there - while I'm very "respectful" of snakes - in 30 years of backpacking and enjoying the outdoors, I've been very uncomfortably close several snakes (almost stepping on a nest of copperheads once backpacking in PA) - but have never been bothered. Remember, unless you're in Australia - odds are it's 1) not poisonous, and 2) more scared of you than you are of it. Laa Dee Dah! Quote Link to comment
+RickIII Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 The whole time I was hiking I kept hearing chipmunks darting away through the underbrush along the trails as I walked passed them and all I could think about was rattlesnakes!! I got myself a little too paranoid a few times... I hear ya on the chipmunks making noise and being paranoid. I spent the next few hours the same way. I also stopped at the new sporting goods store (Galyans I think) at the Woodbridge Center Mall yesterday to see if they have a better snake bite kit. I have been carrying one around in my pack, but I think it is time to check for other kits that may be available. Quote Link to comment
+JMBella Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 I breezed through this thread and didn’t see mention of this snake. It's an Enhydrina schistosa (Beaked Sea Snake). One drop of it's venom can kill three men. Fortunately it’s only found near the Persian Gulf. I have to idea why I mentioned it here. Thanks for reading and have a nice night. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 (edited) From Team Rampant Lion's log today for my Wildcat Ridge Hawkwatch cache: Tough one, we nearly gave up. Paired with Tick Magnets and gunning to clear all the caches in WCR (got 4, TM got 5 as we already had one) this one threw us off pace. First the cooperheads were everywhere, both teams had near misses stepping on them. Guess they weren't kidding. Edited August 2, 2004 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+JMBella Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Guess they weren't kidding. Yeah that's no joke. Quote Link to comment
+Team Rampant Lion Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 They were everywhere but we were told we lucked out. Someone on the Hawk Watch who seemed knowledgeable said there is a den just beyond Briansnat's cache placement. He said they were in the process of shedding their skin which is why they were all out on the rocks. Thankfully for us, he said it likely also made them sluggish or we might be reporting a bite or two, as we weren't looking at all before we saw the first and it was a near miss. But they were handsome creatures at that point. Great colors. Quote Link to comment
+Barefoot Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 From the Waterbury Republican American Newspaper, Local section, 8/4/4. "Was it a rattler in the trail?" by Gale Courney Toensing An thru hike on the AT was bitten by a snake August 2 along the Undermountain trail near RT 41. After being evacuated down the mountain he was Life Star Helicpotered to Hartford Hospital. The snake was not identified and anti venom was not used as "..whatever bit him had not injected poison into the bite." He was discharged from the hospital and planned to continue his hike. -Break- There are a few caches near there I've recently added to my find list without seeing any snakes. Just in case I've replaced my dry rotted snake bite kit ( at least 20 years old) with a new one. Last May while visiting a cache I saw what can only be described as MANY snakes in the brush near the cache. They went one way< I went another>. Got a laugh recently when I found a rubber snake placed to "guard?" a letterbox. Quote Link to comment
avroair Posted August 13, 2004 Share Posted August 13, 2004 I was hiking with Helmet of Skully & Mulder. I would be walking alongside him chatting when suddenly he would dive into the scrub, gone! There would be a loud scuffle, a couple of whacks with his walking stick, and his head would pop up above the scrub brush... he would dive back in and emerge with a 18 foot black anaconda!!! Kreiky! Not sure if he was handling it or it was handling him... anyhoo, I was sitting near by when he rolled over a log and grabbed a 1 foot baby... When asked if he saw the snake retreat under the log, Helmet replied, "Nope, just looked like a good place to find a snake!" I then very slowly inched off the log I had been sitting on... Here's to the Snake Charmer! With this snake: And this snake: http://img.Groundspeak.com/cache/log/8567c...b5521f02f70.jpg And this one too: http://img.Groundspeak.com/cache/log/4e8ed...75833679eb5.jpg And the baby one: http://img.Groundspeak.com/cache/log/77991...7d96e6097c0.jpg Quote Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted August 13, 2004 Author Share Posted August 13, 2004 Holy crap - Helmut is a brave man indeed! I love the outdoors, but have a "healthy respect" (aka irrational fear) of snakes. Quote Link to comment
+Beeman410 Posted August 14, 2004 Share Posted August 14, 2004 I'm in VA ... I've been working with Venomous snakes for years.. If anyone has a snake problem just give me a buzzz and I'll come check it out and catch/relocate anything I find...FREE so no worries about that... Buzzzworm@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment
avroair Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 We had 30 cachers trashing the Chittenango Falls area looking for an event cache until someone yelled SNAKE! Then there were only 4 cachers still looking for the cache container. It was only a foot and a half long, and it did have the most worried look in it eyes! Quote Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted August 25, 2004 Author Share Posted August 25, 2004 (edited) I happened to be copied on an email for an upcoming "adopt a crag" (similar to CITO, but for climbers) where the topic of Timber Rattlesnake sightings being reported to the state came up. I followed up with the individual from the Audubon Society (good folks!) who mentioned it - and offered to post something here (since we happen to find more than our share of snakes while out hiking!). Here's the scoop: If you have observed a rare animal, be it a bird, amphibian, reptile, mammal, insect, or mussel, and would like to help us build the Natural Heritage inventory, please report your observation to NJ’s Endangered & Nongame Species Program. This data will help us look at habitat and population trends, and help us to develop conservation strategies for endangered and threatened species. The information compiled by the Endangered and Nongame Species Program is a powerful conservation tool for land-users and natural area managers. With accurate information, conservation action can be focused on our most important natural areas. Our website, http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/rprtform.htm, gives instructions on how to report observations, including a form to fill out and links to mapping websites. The website also has a link to the current list of threatened and endangered species in NJ. Thanks in advance for helping us help NJ’s wildlife by reporting rare animal sightings. Sincerely, Eric Stiles, Vice President for Conservation and Stewardship New Jersey Audubon Society Website: www.njaudubon.org/conservation Conserving New Jersey's Natural Heritage Since 1897 Edited August 25, 2004 by HartClimbs Quote Link to comment
+2Wheel'in Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 There have been numerous log entries with Copperhead sightings for No. VA caches this summer. I received my own "thrill" while searching for Cannon Fire this past week. Perfect camoflauge in the leafy ground clutter, but for the ability to levitate I would have stepped right on it. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 (edited) With all the recent sightings, I was wondering if the rattlesnake was making a comeback in NJ, or if more people were wandering in rattlesnake country looking for caches and encountering them. It looks like it may be the former. This is from The Record: Deadly snakes prompt meeting Tuesday, August 31, 2004 By BARBARA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER, (Bergen) Record RINGWOOD - They've been on the move this summer - to back yards, decks, rock walls, and the edge of woods. Oblivious to the scare they are giving residents, rattlesnakes are slithering onto properties all over Erskine Lakes. Poisonous timber rattlesnakes, categorized by the state as an endangered species, have been spotted almost a dozen times over the past several months in the borough, but residents are prohibited by law from getting rid of them. "They aren't normally aggressive towards humans, but they are really freaking people out," said Lysa DeLaurentis, Ringwood's animal control officer. Officials are holding a meeting tonight to inform residents on what to do when they see one, how to stay safe, and how to discourage the reptiles from spending time near humans. The meeting will be held at Little Beach Clubhouse at Erskine Road and Lakeview Avenue at 7:30 p.m. It is organized by the state Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife, DeLaurentis said. Information will be handed out and experts will be on hand to answer questions. "I've had at least 10 calls in the Erskine Lakes section alone, and I normally only get four or five for the entire area," DeLaurentis said. "We just want to tell people what to do to distract them from coming on their property, and what to do if they see one." Edited September 2, 2004 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted September 2, 2004 Author Share Posted September 2, 2004 ".....Really freaking people out!"? That's hilarious. Sure they're talking about rattlesnakes and not people coming across Mopar while they're out hiking? If you spot an endangered rattlesnake - report it please. If you spot Mopar...a stout stick can be used to defend yourself! Quote Link to comment
+marmetion Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 hey all you snakeologists, any body know what this one is called? And no, it is not dead, but it plays dead and when laid over on its back, the flys swarmed like it had been laying dead in the sun for hours. When I first saw it, it was poised up like a cobra, had a cowl flaired and was hissing, after I had bagged it, it calmed down, and then when I dumped it out again, it's cowl took on a spade shape, after it rolled over on it's back, the cowl went back to normal. There were no "pits", no fangs, and when I let him loose, he moved so fast I thought he was a racer.... Could this be a rat snake? The colors were unbeliveable, the pics do not do it justice, it was neon orange and shiny black, its underbelly was also neon orange. It looked as if someone had a black light turned on.... Anybody got an ideas? Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Kind of hard to see Marmetion. You have a bigger photo? Quote Link to comment
+marmetion Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 auto resizing.... send ya an e-mail? Quote Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted September 3, 2004 Author Share Posted September 3, 2004 hey all you snakeologists, any body know what this one is called? And no, it is not dead, but it plays dead and when laid over on its back, the flys swarmed like it had been laying dead in the sun for hours. When I first saw it, it was poised up like a cobra, had a cowl flaired and was hissing, after I had bagged it, it calmed down, and then when I dumped it out again, it's cowl took on a spade shape, after it rolled over on it's back, the cowl went back to normal. There were no "pits", no fangs, and when I let him loose, he moved so fast I thought he was a racer.... Could this be a rat snake? The colors were unbeliveable, the pics do not do it justice, it was neon orange and shiny black, its underbelly was also neon orange. It looked as if someone had a black light turned on.... Anybody got an ideas? The hognose snake is one that acts very aggressive, but then "plays dead" when you pick it up. If it's still bothered (ie. you don't lose interest), I think it has glands where it excrets some stinky fluid as a final defense (sort of like Snat!) Here's a link with details (although they don't mention the stinky part so maybe I remember that wrong). Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I think it has glands where it excrets some stinky fluid as a final defense (sort of like Snat!) That's not for defense, its the result of too many tacos and beers. Quote Link to comment
EMCbugchaser Posted October 31, 2004 Share Posted October 31, 2004 "This was my latest Snake encounter in the Hudson Palisades. I think somebody here also posted a similar picture but I still don't know what kind is it. Any guesses?" The photo you posted is quite definitely a common garter snake. Its one of the most harmless snakes you'll ever find....well unless you're a frog! Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.