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To: nickcarraway

In the FL panhandle years back my dad killed an Eastern Diamondback, it was 72” without the head. We had tons of water moccasins around, but the rattle snakes were good at hiding, saw a few crossing the road but not out in the woods or fields.


5 posted on 01/20/2025 1:33:48 PM PST by Roadrunner383
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To: Roadrunner383
All the big rattlers are getting squeezed out, same for the beautiful Indigo. All the development knocks out prime spots for them. Rather have snakes than snowbirds and transplants.
16 posted on 01/20/2025 1:44:23 PM PST by Theoria
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To: Roadrunner383

He was near the Suwannee River, in a swamp.

You’d think he would wear snake boots.


19 posted on 01/20/2025 1:48:22 PM PST by packagingguy
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To: Roadrunner383

Moccasins are far more dangerous than rattlesnakes. For one thing, they have no rattles to warn with, which rattlers do all the time- you’re right they are good at hiding and do not want encounters with predators. Moccasins on the other hand are near or in water/swamp and so dark have a hard time seeing them. Their bite wound is quite dangerous and the wound even well treated can rot tissue from the toxins- having to have amputations or skin grafts to replace the dead tissue. Finally, they are quite aggressive and will chase people on land and even in water.
Reminds me of the black mamba with a similar reputation and greater speed. Many years ago colleagues and I used to hunt/collect snakes and another had a business milking pit viper snakes for venom to make anti-venin serum for bite kits. He almost lost his whole arm when struck by a king cobra he was milking (and had milked for years- just made a bad move to grab it).


52 posted on 01/20/2025 5:28:13 PM PST by John S Mosby ( Sic Semper Tyrannis )
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