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Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by Fredhogbristle on September 6, 2005
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Any info on threat from cottonmouths post Hurricane Katrina? We have antecdotal reports of encounters at Keesler AFB housing, but no bites. Please advise on characteristics of cottomouths and envenomation.
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by GREGLONGHURST on September 6, 2005
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Envenomation is extremely painful. With prompt, proper medical treatment, the bite is survivable. The website below has much info on the snake including pix of adults & juveniles.
http://treasurecoastwebdesign.com/snakes
~~Greg~~
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by earthguy on September 7, 2005
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Bites from watermoccasins usually only occur when the snake is harassed. Read J.W. Gibbons article "Defensive Behavior of Water Moccasins (Agkistrodon piscivorous) toward Humans" (Copeia 2002(1) p.195-198) The article asserts that snakes will flee first, bluff, then -as a last resort- bite. In my experience (I caught/handled serveral dozen this year alone) this snake will flee to the water 90% of the time. The rest of the time it will try to sit still and rely on its camoflauge. Just don't box it in and you'll be fine.
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by Buzztail1 on September 7, 2005
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Josh, You are right about Cottonmouths fleeing - under normal circumstances.
That is not what they are experiencing in Louisiana right now. Even the Cottonmouths have been displaced by the floodwaters and have sought higher ground which is also where the people are. The situation is far less than optimal for both people and snakes.
Karl
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by earthguy on September 8, 2005
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I guess that when both Human and Snake are stressed the normal behavioral dynamics won't apply. I have no idea what the best thing to do in this situation would be. Try to avoid snakes, I guess. But if you can't?...
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by arachdude7 on September 11, 2005
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Well, I live in Biloxi and have seen at least a dozen cottonmouths since the hurricane (2 in my back yard) which was about the twice the amount that I had seen in the amost 2 years that I have been living here.... although I have been spending more time outside, cleaning my yard and helping my neighbors (who are all older), it seems that the hurricane has brought them out in droves.
Michael
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by Dadee on September 11, 2005
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Michael,
It's neat that you're able to jump on the computer and the 'net with all that's happened. I'm guessing that the infrastructure is somewhat back online. Noticed that you're a NA...do you get some of the people down there, help getting their computers back up? I hope that you're able to "save" some of those snakes that's more than likely to get hit by a rogue 2x4 from someone who's picking through what's left of their home.
Let us know if we can help in any way.
Matt
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by arachdude7 on September 11, 2005
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Actually this is the first day that I have been able to get online. I have been helping many people in my neighborhood (many of my neighbors are older and retired) and when I would leave in the morning to go help the people living in my neighborhood... I would bring 3 things.... a chainsaw, a can full of gas, and a snakehook... Yes, I have removed several snakes from peoples yards -- and now that the cell phones are working, I am averaging about 5 calls a day for snake removal, just from "word-of-mouth" -- there is a lot of devastation down here and with all the rubble, I try to explain to people that we will need these little guys when the rodent populations expode... most people understand.
by the way - The place where I work was gutted...
Michael
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RE: Cottonmouths and Hurricane Katrina
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by Dadee on September 11, 2005
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Michael,
I'm sorry to hear about your job. Hopefully with the FEMA relief, it will sustain you for a little while until work can be found for most people down there. It's a great thing that you're informing those people about ecology and the cycle that these unfortunate creatures play in the recovery effort. That is what this Society is all about. To imagine that others down there are passing on by word of mouth that they will need these snakes (the same ones they would normally take a hoe to) and to call this guy...he'll come take it away, is truly a testament to the good will of those who've lost everything.
Keep up the good work, and best of luck to you.
Matt
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