Posted by Larry Hoover on June 6, 2006, at 5:09:16
In reply to How Many Like Snakes Are They Friendly?, posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2006, at 20:10:37
> Are snakes friendly? And how can you tell if they are poisonous? Doesn't it have something to do with shape of it's head? Love Phillipa
No, the shape of the head is suggestive, but not definitive. You really need to learn about the poisonous snakes in your area, to be safe from poisonous snakes in your area. Coral snakes are really pretty, but pretty dang deadly. And, other snakes do tend to mimic the coloration and size and behaviour of poisonous species. Birds of prey are more careful, if the snake is "close".
I betcha 99.5% of the snakes you see are non-poisonous, even if you're in an area with known concentrations of a poisonous species. An exception is water moccasin bayou country, but if you were in there, you'd know that.
My grandfather once despatched a female Massassaugua rattlesnake, up at our family cottage. He dutifully reported the event to the authorities, only to be lectured and fined by a conservation officer. Protected species is protected species.
I used to have a garter snake mating territory in my back yard. Every spring, thousands of 'em. Then they were all gone. Garter snakes give live birth, just like humans. Others lay eggs. No such thing as a generic snake.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:653372
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060604/msgs/653500.html