Any one ever attacked by a snake? - Experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

Absolutely not.	Reply
by MSTT on January 11, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
I've had a lot of snakes take a go at me, but every one of them was defending itself against the human aggressor who was trying to catch it and stick things up its behind or down its throat. If you had your butt grabbed by somebody who wanted to probe you, you would surely bite too. LOL I've also walked up on a number of snakes both in the wild and in captivity who have not made any attempt to bite me because I was simply photographing them at close range or moving them gently on a snake hook. Snakes do not attack people, people attack snakes. If you do not hurt or scare them, they will not bite you. Not looking where you are stepping and coming too close to one can certainly cause a snake to be hurt or scared, but if you are careful and respectful the snake will do likewise. Evolution does not permit fragile bodied species to voluntarily tangle with animals that can inflict fatal injuries with no more than an accidental step. Retreating or bluffing and biting as an absolute last resort is the only viable strategy for an animal whose ribs snap like potato chips and whose skin tears like wet cloth. I clean up far too many veterinary messes left by people who do not understand how fragile venomous snakes are while they are catching them. It is really a losing proposition for a snake to bite anything bigger than its own head. They instinctively know this and behave themselves accordingly.

Disregard My First Reply on 1/06/03...	Reply
by wls967 on January 12, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
I was talking on the phone and typing at the same time. I always copy and paste my text into outlook and do a spellcheck, then copy and paste back to SHHS. It wasn't until about three days later that I noticed the "entire middle of my reply" was missing. It made since with the "middle" intact. It was my mistake, sorry for taking up space and wasting time..... wls

RE: Absolutely not.	Reply
by jared on January 20, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
Hey TT, But as I used in the the first several posts, A bear will defend itself, especially one with cubs and that will still be considered an attack. Killer bees "defend" there Hive, yet it is still an attack. Again, I realize the implications of the herp community saying snakes can "attack". More often than not, I doubt a snake would attack. But in africa 5-10 children a year die under the coils of rock pythons and that cant be considered a snake attack? what about those who (fortunately or unfortunately pending the person) stumble upon a brooding female king in the Thai jungle, Do you not think that can be considered an "Attack". Just making sure snakes arent getting special treatment compared to predatory (or even other vens such as bees) animals. Jared

Attack?	Reply
by wls967 on January 20, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
I think the original concept of "ATTACK" was like if a lion attacked a gazelle. Everything you mention, Jared, pertains to "defense". "But in Africa 5-10 children a year die under the coils of rock pythons and that cant be considered a snake attack?" Possible, maybe even probably. I agree, but the original post refers to mostly folklore and native NA venomous snakes. I have heard of "Pilot" snakes and other heresy all my life. Jared, being raised in the swamps of coastal VA, you should have heard all these stories too. I think Robert was merely looking for stories (confirmed, or not) about unprovoked attacks. wls

RE: Attack?	Reply
by jared on January 22, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
But my point was, DEFENSIVE reactions can still be considered unprovoked attacks. Certain animals dont care wether you see them first or not, that was my point. Either way, pythons eating small children are attacks, snakes lundging unprovoked can be "considered" attacks, as with many other animals. Its all in the terminology, and like I said most herpers think its bad PR to say attack, though it may happen. As far as a snake chasing you down and attacking you, thats not going to happen. Yes, VA pilots tend to be racers, while in this area of NC they call coppers pilots, wierd. Jared

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