Everybody down here that has spent any time in the country has a Water Moccasin story. They are aggressive, nasty, bastards. And they have a poison that is much worse than a rattler. Friend of mine got bit in the arm by one. They pretty much cut open every vein in his arm and mopped out the poison. They said he would likely suffer some permanent reduction in function of his arm if they didn't get it out.
The only good thing I can say is that several dozen have departed this earth through my ‘encouragement.’ A good old 12 gage makes a very nice encourager.
Well, hi neighbor!
I, too, am in rural Texas. If a moccasin opens his mouth at you (not a good situation) you can see it is “cotton mouthed”. But I’m sure you have seen that if you have dealt with them.
I’m in east Texas and about the only poisonous snake I don’t have to deal with is a rattler. I have family in west Texas where the rattlers are king. The only kind thing I can say about them is they give warning. I would no more let one live than I would a cottonmouth. I guess all things serve a purpose on this earth. But if there is a chance that they could hurt me or my dogs...too bad for them.
A rat snake..a whip or most any other snake...they have a purpose. A rattler, cottonmouth or copperhead...not so much.
But if you want to let a rattler live, to each his own. Just step carefully and listen.
Sorry Sal, certain creatures of the poisonous nature don’t need to cohabitate. Please don’t hate me!!