Posted on 04/27/2017 12:23:14 PM PDT by nickcarraway
I’ve seen them hiking along the NY/NJ border (we have copperheads and timber rattlers as the only poisonous snakes here, and as far as I know nobody has died from a bite from either in recorded history). They feel you coming through ground vibrations, and will try to avoid you; copperheads are more dangerous than the rattlers because they are thicker/slower, and will have a harder time getting clear before you are on top of them. Timber rattlers are dangerous for rock climbers. Sometimes poisonous snakes give a “dry bite” to warn off potential predators; the venom is really a digestive aid and of little use for something it can’t eat.
The scariest thing is how snakes will startle you as you walk along, darting away when you hadn’t even seen them. Largest I’ve seen is a black rat snake; they can grow to nine feet (though they aren’t poisonous, and also flee when you approach).
That’s a juvenile copperhead, pretty tiny. Very well camouflaged, though.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.