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A few questions
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by Forrest on June 5, 2001
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I live in North Central Alabama and I am doing a presentation for my management as part of a safety program. My topic is venomous snakes. So far I have identified four; the Canebrake Rattler, the Timber Rattler, the Cotton Mouth Moccasin, and the Copperhead Moccasin. Are there any that I am missing? Can anyone give me a guess as to what percentage of the snake population in my area are venomous snakes? Lastly what are the common water snakes in my area and where might I find a picture of them?
Thanks,
Forrest
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RE: A few questions
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by filthy on June 5, 2001
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Hi,
You've pretty well got it covered except that Southern AL also has the Eastern Coral snake.
Ok, Watersnakes, you're blessed with a rich abundence of them. Here's a list:
Southern, (Nerodia f. fasciata)
Flordia, (N. f. picivenvris)
Gulf Salt Marsh (N. f. clarki)
Broad-banded (N. f. confulens)
Red-bellied (N. e. erythrogastor)
Yellowed-bellied (N. e. flavigastor)
Queen snake (Regina septemvittata)
Glossy Crayfish snake (R. rigida)
Mud Snake (Farancia abacura)
Rainbow Snake (F. erythrogramma)
As you can see, you've asked a question that is a bit large for going into detail here. Many of the species mentioned are found only in certain parts of the state.
May I suggest that you find a good field guide. I reccommend either the Audubon's or the Peterson's. I use the Audubon's. I've included the Latin names to make references easier. You might also contact the state's Fish and Game Dept.
Hope this helps.
f
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You've kinda got me hooked on this one....
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by filthy on June 5, 2001
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The odds of encountering a venomous snake are low. The most common venomous in AL is the Copperhead. AL has 2 subspecies, the Southern (Agkistrodon c. contortrix) and the Northern A. c. mokasin). They almost split the state in half. These are very shy and mostly nocturnal.
The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus h. horridus) is found only in the mountains. The Canebrake (C. h. atricaudatus) is a lowland snake. Offically, these have been combined into a single species, C. horridus, but everybody (mainly myself) isn't going along with it.
You actually have no less than two subspecies of Cottonmouth. The Eastern (Akistrodon p. piscivorus) and the Western (A. p. leucostoma). One or the other can be found throughout the state, although the Eastern tends to be more in the South and east.
Thanks for the question.
f
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Thanks filthy
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by Forrest on June 6, 2001
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The reason I ask about water snakes is because most people assume any snake they see in the water is a Moccasin and I wanted to dispel that notion. One thing you said got my attention; Copperheads are very shy and mostly nocturnal? I've only seen one and I only saw him after he tried to bite me. There seems to be a great fear of these snakes in these parts. Also would you happen to know if the northern and southern copperheads look significantly different?
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RE: Thanks filthy
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by filthy on June 7, 2001
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Hi again,
Northern Coppers tend to be a little darker than the Southern (But not always. These vary a LOT). The way I tell is that a Southern's markings are usually (but not always) more broken. In your location, you most likely have the Northern and possibly some intergrades of the two.
Coppers can be very snappy if they think they're cornered. I'm just getting over a Copper bite that I recieved through stupidity last April. For the story, look at the Articles Page under, "Copperhead Bite." The photos (I documented hell out of it) can be found on the last Snakebite Page in the photo alblum under, "Bite from a Sub-adult Copperhead."
Coppers are not really all that dangerous, at least not as compared to a big Eastern Diamondback, which AL also has in the south. There's never been a recored death from them. However, their bites are incapacitating and very painful. Also, body parts have been lost to them.
Glad to see I'm helping.
f
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