Didn't you get bit by one? I've tangled with a few but never have gotten bit (knock on wood).


Me and a buddy caught a big timber ratter in Perry Co years ago. A cold snap came in and the temp dropped 20 degrees in an hour or two. We were walking in and came across it and it was real lethargic. It was about 5 feet long and we later found out it was full of little ones. Anyway we caught it and put in in a yellow 5 gallon bucket and put it in the truck bed. The sun on that yellow bucket warmed her up pretty good and she got pretty lively. I didn't know how to get her out so we just unscrewed the cap off the lid of the bucket and filled it full of water.

got hit by a five footer in 1985 while turkey hunting. One fang went thru a Lacrosse Grange boot, tucked in pants, and my left calf. It was a mostly dry bite, had a lil swelling and a rash. I did throw up twice when I saw the size of the snake and realized I was over a mile from the truck.

DAYNG - fella, I would have thrown up too (in both directions).

Although, not a snake rated boot - its was still pretty thick (double-walled boot) - not counting the tucked in pants.

From reading finding a boot that will really stop a snake can be iffy - especially if you run up on a big-boy that can strike above knee height. Supposedly, if you can push a needle through the boot with a thimble (applying reasonable pressure not that turn-the-hat backwards Over the Top stuff) - then you may want to shop around. That said, a needle is supposedly harder than a fang, but sounds like a reasonable test. Could also put water balloons in the boot and let a rattler hit it; easier said then done - as I can't be that close to one that I can identify without my trigger finger itching.

I agree with the tail markings. We don't see many diamond backs but when we do their tails are darker. I attached the tail end pics of the one I killed last week. I measured him at 5 ft 4 inches minus his rattlers and head. And that a giant for down here. I've heard of bigger but never seen one bigger than this one in person.

https://s22.postimg.cc/40bibagcx/IMG_2610.jpg

I didn't notice the zebra striping on the tail either so it's probably a Western. I've never seen an Eastern with the white bands.

that snake that hit me bit 2" below the top of a Grange boot, maybe 6" below the knee. I guess the boot/pants combo stopped or turned the other fang.

That’s my wife’s cousin. That snake she’s holding in the video that’s been all over Facebook is a diamondback water snake.

I know I’m new here on this site. But I’ve never even heard of this diamondback water snake. I don’t believe there are black painters in Alabama or Sasquatches. But if your telling the truth I gotta know. Lol. Maybe some of the others can enlighten me. Lol. Thanks. 👍🏻

Well, I learned something new today:

diamondback water snake

"When foraging for food the diamondback water snake will hang on branches suspended over the water, dipping its head under the surface of the water, until it encounters a fish or other prey. It is frequently found basking on branches over water, and when approached, it will quickly drop into the water and swim away. If cornered, it will often hiss, and flatten the head and body to appear larger. It only typically resorts to biting if physically harassed or handled. Its bite is known to be quite painful due to its sharp teeth meant to keep hold of slippery fish. Unfortunately, this defensive behavior is frequently misinterpreted as aggression and often leads to its being mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), with which it does share habitat in some places. The brown/tan coloration and diamond-shaped pattern also causes it to be mistaken for rattlesnakes, especially when encountered on land by individuals unfamiliar with snakes."

Me too! I had no idea there was such a thing. Thanks for posting Shaw. I bet a lot of them get killed by people thinking its a Water Moccasin.

Nice cobra from the house this morning. They County was busy hogging the sides of roads so it must have run him into the yard.

^^^glad he made it out. They are not that common anymore.

Dr. B

What kind of snake is that?

Looks like a an Eastern hognose snake - they put on a good show.

We don't have cobras in the US.

I saw a nine foot King Cobra in Shelby Co and know of a Monacled Cobra in St. Clair Co.....just saying. Dumbazz folks do buy em and some escape.

Okay. Then I will clarify.
Hopefully we don't have a breeding population of cobras in the US.

I have seen a lot of rattle snakes, and that pic has me puzzled. Biggest population of Eastern ones that I know of is out at Pelham Range. And I aint talking no babies either! Ran over one back in 1996 at the utes gate that felt like a speed bump!