Snakes are coming out of hibernation in Texas

By Associated Press - Tue Feb 27, 2018



COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP)

Texas A&M University experts say spring-like temperatures in areas of Texas mean snakes are coming out of winter hibernation, increasing the likelihood of people and pets getting bit.

A veterinarian with the school's Small Animal Clinical Services, Christine Rutter, says she's already seen cases this year of snakebites on dogs.

Dr. Jill Heatley, an associate professor of veterinary medicine, says snakebite treatment for people can be painful and cost up to $50,000 for venomous cases.

Texas is home to four venomous snakes: the coral snake, copperhead, rattlesnake and cottonmouth, which also is called a water moccasin.

Heatley says only the cottonmouth is considered somewhat aggressive and that most snakes probably are "more afraid of you than you are of them."

She says snakes do help control rodents, lizards and bugs.

http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Snakes-...ok_KWTX_News_10

I hadn't thought of it but I guess it is about that time. I'm loaded with rattlers but really don't worry about them and don't wear special boots.

I hate em! Came so close to being bit one time by a rattler while quail hunting I quit the hunt and that takes a lot to do that. Have killed many a rattler while hunting but this one, I was lucky! And last year I killed 14 snakes in one week at the pond. I will let a king slide by but that is it. I've have been this way ever since the quail hunt!

Dave I've spent a lot of time outdoors in my life, Boy Scouts, camping, fishing, hiking....but I've actually never seen a rattle snake in the wild....but I will start wearing my mud boots in the woods soon.

Mark, I generally just wear sneakers. I have a lot of them but have only been really threatened a couple of times in my life. I worry a little bit about copperheads. If they aren't around the house or the pond, I leave them alone.

i probably should....i mainly worry about cottonmouths along the edge of the pond.



Cottonmouth in Texas

Ever since I dove and deer hunted South Texas a few years ago, I've worn knee high snake boots.....everywhere. For some reason, I have a hard time seeing them in their natural habitat. Not exactly a good thing...haven't seen any this spring yet, but I'm sure they are here. We recently walked some additional property we purchased and found a 7' snake shed intact. Every detail even down to the head...did not leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling!

stickem i do too
i am color blind
i wonder if that could play into it?
are you color blind?

Zep,
No, I am not color blind, but I can surely see where that would be a disadvantage....I just don't see them. A few years back I was dove hunting down in Cotulla, TX (about 100 mi. south of San Antonio). I had invited this kid from work to go on the trip (he was about 30yrs old, I guess. We were hunting side by side in the corner of this field and killing a fair amount of doves. All of a sudden he turns and shoots straight down about 2' from our feet. Surprised the hell out of me. Then, he picks up a dead rattler with the end of his barrel and flings it over in the high grass. We made 4 hunts while we were there and the kid did the exact thing every hunt. I had been hunting down there for years and had never even seen a snake. Not sure why I don't see them, but it is a bit unnerving to hunt next to this guy and he's killing one every hunt.

Cottonmouth is one of the least aggressive snakes out there, but most common for me to come in contact with. The others though, will strike fast. The copperhead is the most aggressive in my experience.

I did not now how fast and high I could jump until I saw a copperhead I came within an inch from me placing my boot on his body(in mid step) This old guy can move when I have to. BrianL, I always herd the opposite when talking of aggressive snakes but in my case, I will eliminate either or if given a chance to do so.

Next time you get a cottonmouth in the open, with snakeboots, see how hard it is to get one to actually stike using a stick. They will set there and hiss and open their mouth, but it normally takes a lot to get them to stike. I never have had one strike that I did't actually touch/poke with a stick.

THem dang (harmless) watersnakes will try and get in the kayak with me and then want me to get out. I shoot all snakes at the pond at the house, but away from there I only kill copperheads.