jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Apr 23, 2016 6:10:37 GMT -5
Water snakes normally shy. This forward one may be a male. There is many large ones that are likely females in this pond. I think he is prowling around for dates. About 2 feet long. Typical orange belly. The larger ones are 3-4 feet long and fat, very shy. Banded and not banded. Guessing females. @shotgunner ? Lots of crayfish and frogs to eat. Also baby water turtles less than 2 inches, painted and yellow sliders. They are fast and athletic; grab one and you will get bit. Capable biters. Non-poisonous but bite apparently infectious. Often seen with lumps in their body, poor frog. Usually see 3-4 every time this pond is entered. Never seen a Water Moccasin here knock on wood. Have seen on several occasions King Snakes tear these guys up. No fight, King cinches him up just behind the head and chokes him out. King snake has 5 or 6 wraps in short order and squeezes his air passage, takes a long time to kill it though. Water snake goes into a down hill roll and struggles to drag the fight to the water. If he makes it to the water the King lets go; supposing that is not his domain. Water Snake probably has more lung capacity to stay underwater. in all cases, it is a very high energy battle. I have caught Kings up to 70 inches, outrageously big. Would be interesting to have a pet one and feed him water snakes. To trap a water snakes set a minnow trap half in the water. In one day the trap will be chock full of them. Even compressed into the trap. They must be going after tadpoles that swim into the trap. Minnow trap:  Lover boy, never stops moving. Was planting water lilies into 8 inch pots and this guy must have followed me all morning.     |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Apr 23, 2016 6:45:40 GMT -5
You're always up to something and you're a bright, curious guy, observant of the world going on around you. More importantly, you've always got your camera ready. I dig your posts. Been looking around here, but haven't seen the first snake of the season yet.
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 23, 2016 6:58:00 GMT -5
Man James, that is a beautiful snake!!!! Ours here are always mossy and the markings much less distinct and dull. They are really out and about right now though. These warm rains really get the snakes going. Never seen a Cottonmouth here either but they are supposed to be around. Most common poisonous species we have here are the coral snakes and we have a bunch of those...Mel
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,616
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Post by jamesp on Apr 23, 2016 7:39:40 GMT -5
You're always up to something and you're a bright, curious guy, observant of the world going on around you. More importantly, you've always got your camera ready. I dig your posts. Been looking around here, but haven't seen the first snake of the season yet. Got a junker camera for the dirty outdoors. It does the trick. Business is aquatic plants and wetland mitigation, office often in waders sitting in a swamp planting/harvesting. Lots of hours in such locations in Georgia and Florida. Rarely carry a camera in Florida, to many critters to relax there. Glad to entertain both you and myself. |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,616
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Post by jamesp on Apr 23, 2016 7:44:31 GMT -5
Man James, that is a beautiful snake!!!! Ours here are always mossy and the markings much less distinct and dull. They are really out and about right now though. These warm rains really get the snakes going. Never seen a Cottonmouth here either but they are supposed to be around. Most common poisonous species we have here are the coral snakes and we have a bunch of those...Mel Most of them are dull brown and like you mentioned less distinct. This little guy in full color. Did not know if it was related to breeding activity. No corals here, just Copperheads. Have caught three Copperheads over 50 inches which is freaky big. Kings have taken over in past ten years, rarely see a Copperhead anymore. Kings to 70 inches ! Not sure why the Coppers and the Kings get so big here. This is the King Snake we have Mel. Markings can be from yellow to darn near white.  |
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Intheswamp
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Post by Intheswamp on Apr 23, 2016 9:42:48 GMT -5
50" copperheads pack a punch!!! Those are big ones!! 70" kings are big, too, but given a safe place where tires or tracks don't destroy them and there is adequate forage they do grow big. When you see one traveling through the grass and he's holding his head up what looks to be close to 2' in the air we know why they call them "king" snakes.  |
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,507
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 23, 2016 10:25:12 GMT -5
Wow, that is huge for a copperhead. We have a few broad banded copperheads around but very scarce and small. That a pretty king snake too. I've yet to see one here. Supposedly we have two types but they must be pretty uncommon as I'm in the field a lot and no luck so far....Mel
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 15:34:32 GMT -5
Must be a combination of many factors. Genetics is key. No matter what genetics limits size. But even with good genetics, the body must be fed.
My theory is abundant snakes in prime habitat have caused nature to select for larger animals. This making the population more able to take advantage of the abundant snake fauna.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 15:35:20 GMT -5
And yes, your water snakes are pretty.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Apr 24, 2016 7:02:04 GMT -5
Wow, that is huge for a copperhead. We have a few broad banded copperheads around but very scarce and small. That a pretty king snake too. I've yet to see one here. Supposedly we have two types but they must be pretty uncommon as I'm in the field a lot and no luck so far....Mel I have an old film photo of a 54 inch one. Called the S Fulton county agent and reported it due to it's 'record' length. He said they get abnormally big in this area. Caught and measured another at 55 inches. Another at 52. Lots of timberland with perfect habitat for field mice and rats which reap havoc in barns and basements. Tickled to have the big Kings and Copperheads, but the Copperheads used to keep me on my toes. It seems that the Kings have taken over, have not seen a copperhead in 20 years. Before that they were very common. The habitat for frogs is extraordinary, the water snakes have a field day. Not sure if Water Snakes take rodents, but certain they take our common toads. Creek 70 feet behind house, 100 feet in front. The water snakes cross over constantly. Catching toads around the house. Hoping they work the rodents. Work many hours around Water Snakes and never had one bite. You about have to step on them, and they are darn shy so that is unlikely. Very rarely I will see a huge water snake(+4 feet), and only his back half as he is entering a hole. They have superb vision from a great distance. The big ones wily. |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,616
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Post by jamesp on Apr 24, 2016 7:13:06 GMT -5
Must be a combination of many factors. Genetics is key. No matter what genetics limits size. But even with good genetics, the body must be fed. My theory is abundant snakes in prime habitat have caused nature to select for larger animals. This making the population more able to take advantage of the abundant snake fauna. Lived in North Atlanta 20 years and never saw a Copperhead over 30 inches, Florida either. Here in S. Atlanta they are common at 30-45 inches. I do believe genetics plays a big role. Lake George produces large turtles, gators and Coral Snakes. Lots of different snakes there. Most average, but for some reason the Coral is crazy big there. Thinking genetics. And the Florida Rat Snake, the yellow one, it gets a bit larger than what the books claim. That snake is a freaky climber. They lounge on hand rails and fence tops. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 8:19:07 GMT -5
Yeah, without genetics, you have nothing. Evolution is a freaky thing. Maybe those giant lake george corals are eating baby ratsnakes instead of worm snakes and brownsnakes...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 8:21:53 GMT -5
The chinese will pay $2/# for water snakes. 20k# per order.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,616
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Post by jamesp on Apr 25, 2016 8:52:27 GMT -5
The chinese will pay $2/# for water snakes. 20k# per order. why ? Don't tell me they eat the smelly things. |
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