Apr 30th, 2017: SNEK!

Everyone with intelligence and the power of reason knows that snakes are Demon Serpents, Distilled Evil sent from the
Pits of Hell to Murder and Maim Babies... and other living things.



The Copperhead is a minor player.

A perfect example of the popular serpentine hunting strategy "look like a pile of dead leaves and wait for something the right size to wander within striking range." This is a hugely successful strategy used by venomous snakes worldwide; it's amazing to look at a picture of a Gaboon viper in captivity and marvel at their intricate markings...and then see a picture of dead leaves next to an African water hole and realize there's actually a FIVE FOOT LONG viper as thick as a man's thigh in the middle of that pile of dead leaves. Luckily, copperheads don't get nearly that big.

The only other Agkistrodon snake in the US doesn't usually ambush-hunt on land. Agkistrodon piscivorus (the species name literally translates to "eater of fish") is the dreaded cottonmouth, which isn't much more dangerous venom-wise than the copperhead. All the really dangerous Agkistrodons, the cantils, are Central and South American snakes, as is my absolute favorite "pile of leaves" ambush hunter, which is not a copperhead.

My vote for 'funniest and most appropriate Latin name for a reptile' goes to Lachesis muta, the Central American bushmaster. The Latin translates to 'silent fate'! Although...don't believe everything you read about how vicious and high-strung these eight-foot-long pit vipers are supposed to be. Many years back, Reptiles Magazine received and published a field trip report from some herpers who went to Costa Rica to find bushmasters. One of the guys was a hundred yards outside camp on a well-used trail, taking pictures of an unusually dark boa constrictor, when another one told him "take two very large steps either forward or back right now."

As they were all experienced snake freaks, the photographer did as told. When he turned around to look back where he'd been standing, he could barely remember to take a photo. Not only had they found a seven-foot bushmaster, supposedly one of the most vicious and irritable snakes in the local jungles, he had been standing on its spine while photographing the boa. When he moved, it just kind of raised its head, flicked its tongue a few times, and then casually wandered off into the brush. So much for the hair-trigger temper!

Could it be that when they've just eaten they are less active or aggressive? While hiking in Canyonlands some years ago, I stepped right over two full grown rattlesnakes. I didn't even see them till my companion pointed out what I had done...

Or the time of day/year made them lethargic, being Cold Blooded Killers.

I saw this pic a few years ago and saved it:

http://imgur.com/gallery/hJI1fsQ

After many viewings, I still have to look hard; that link also has a hint. Today's may be even harder.
Another reason to stay in California.

I just ran across this one the other day:

Attachment 60376

I find that I find copperheads hidden in pictures by looking for triangles.

Ooh, snap!

It's the same pic as in Bruce's post, rotated ninety degrees.

Copperheads can also be smelled. They are redolent (been waiting years to use that word!) of cucumbers. That's how I found one in my front yard, hiding in leaves near a fallen tree. The pygmy rattlesnake that I also evicted was easier... it rattled at me and I froze and looked until I spotted the lil rascal.

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Originally Posted by Gravdigr Ooh, snap! It's the same pic as in Bruce's post, rotated ninety degrees.

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Originally Posted by Pamela Copperheads can also be smelled. They are redolent (been waiting years to use that word!) of cucumbers. .

Ah yes, good point monster! I'd seen those cat videos freaking out over cukes, and wondered why.

We saw a really nice black snake on the Delaware Water Gap yesterday. Lil Pete said that was the biggest one she'd seen in the wild. She is not a snake fan. She also didn't like it when I told her I saw a bigger one when we built the house. Maybe that's why we don't have a rat problem. You guys can keep your copperheads, I prefer a kind snake.

Hmm, are you sure that Villainous Serpent from Hell wasn't wearing a costume to sneak into Sakura-Con?

I'm a Viper, he's a Viper,
she's a Viper, we're a Viper!
Wouldn't you like to be a viper too?

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Originally Posted by monster maybe that's why all the cats on facebook/youtube don't like cucumbers?

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Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce Ah yes, good point monster! I'd seen those cat videos freaking out over cukes, and wondered why.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce Hmm, are you sure that Villainous Serpent from Hell wasn't wearing a costume to sneak into Sakura-Con?

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Originally Posted by Gravdigr Nope. The cats don't do a thing if they don't see the cuke. If they didn't see it, it doesn't exist.

This is very easy to test, just stick a zucchini next to your cat and see what happens.

I find those pictures a bit suspect. The 'snake' looks two dimensional, flat as a pancake, and I cannot find either the tail or the head. I've never seen a snake stuff it's head under leaves either. So where's dah head?!

Coffee break. Union rules.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUCK I find those pictures a bit suspect. The 'snake' looks two dimensional, flat as a pancake, and I cannot find either the tail or the head. I've never seen a snake stuff it's head under leaves either. So where's dah head?!