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Re: blueheads

Hi all,

	Just don't want to be that exception! Ha.
	I guess what makes me respect these guys is I got "chased" by one once.
I scared it when I got too close to a bush it was sunning on in water
that was up to my chest. I'll never forget that white mouth coming at me
wide open and very threatening! Those were the days I thought I was
invincible - late teens. I learned a good lesson in both humility and
the practical aspect of staying where I can get out of the way of danger
if needed! Besides, I take my two year old son out with me sometimes,
and Daddy has to stay close enough to him to make sure he doesn't pick
up anything that moves!

Josh Wiegert wrote:
> 
> They're more than capable of biting, but its generally true that snakes
> don't bite, unless you corner them.  Cottonmouths and Copperheads, the
> United States' most widespread venomous snakes (Aside from the Coral
> Snake, which you'll rarely see,  also -- I believe - the only two
> venomous snakes without rattlers.), are also only mildly venomous.  A bite
> from one of these guys probably won't do much beond make you sick for a
> few days.  Unless you're alergic,  doubt you'd have to see a doctor
> (Something you should do just the same).  On to the point, I've been
> bitten by both, along with Timber Rattlers, and ... far too many
> nonvenomous snakes.  Typically, the bites occur in one of three
> situations.  One, the snake was cornered, and unabled to flee.  Two, I
> surprised it (I.e., stepped on it, flipped a rock too fast, etc.).  Three,
> during handling.  If given the chance, the snake will run away.  Biting
> you is kind of useless.  It can't eat you if it does kill you.  Your big
> enough that you may still hurt it, and its used up its spply of venom,
> meaning one less possible meal until it can produce more. So, when it
> comes to flight or fight, the snake will choose flight.  This generally
> goess for most wildlife in general.  People who have been stung by
> scorpions, bitten by large turtles, attacked by a bear, and so on usually
> cornered it, surprised it, or made a mistake in its handling.  Exceptions
> do occur, of course.
> ><>
> J. L. Wiegert
> 
> On Sun, 17 May 1998, D. Martin Moore wrote:
> 
> >
> > > allow. As I am not fond of cottonmouths - especially when collecting
> > > alone - I only wade out knee deep, so water level for finding them is
> > > significant.
> >
> > I can't remember whether it was fact or fallacy that cottonmouths
> > can't/don't bite when they're in the water?  Seems like they could if
> > they really wanted to!  In my experience they swim away
> > from you as fast as they can.
> >
> >
> > Prost,
> >
> > Martin
> >
> > -----------------------------------------------------------
> > Greater American Freshwater Fishes Resource Site (GAFFeRs):  http://www.localink4.com/~archimedes/
> >
> > "Fie on thee, fellow!  Whence come these fishes?" - Scheherazade
> >
> > "Any fish with good teeth is liable to use them." - Wm. T. Innes
> >
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