Re: black widows & copperhead snakes (in great number in NC this season)

**"* <t*@earthlink.net>**

If I lived where there were lots of copperheads I'd be thinking of stocking 
my land with some kingsnakes. Those idiots who swerve in order to run over 
snakes with their cars or trucks...they kill off the kingsnakes, too.  From 
one reptile site: "Kingsnakes are resistant to the venom of pit-vipers and 
they readily eat copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. Although they 
frequently rattle their tail, release musk, and bite upon capture, they 
generally tame quickly and are often kept as pets."

  I've caught lots of kingsnakes over the years, usually by driving very 
slowly on some (hopefully) deserted road at night. Since they're cold 
blooded, snakes like to lie out on the warm pavement at night and they're 
pretty easy to catch usually. Pin their head down with the tip of a fishing 
pole if you're worried about getting bit, grab them behind the head firmly 
and then drop them in an old pillow sack & tie it off. Take 'em home and 
release them....they probably won't eat up the woodchucks, but they will 
certainly be happy to feast on copperheads. Nice photos here of eastern 
kingsnakes: http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/lamget.htm

Tom

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lflj@bellsouth.net>
To: "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum" 
<gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 6:40 PM
Subject: Re: [GWL] black widows & copperhead snakes (in great number in NC 
this season)

> On 6/25/2012 7:57 PM, Tom wrote:
>> One thing that ain't gospel:  "they are able to bite a target at a 
>> distance
>> greater then the length of their body"
>>
>>     If that's true, then these are some mighty impressive, unusual 
>> snakes!
>
> Maybe I overstated their capabilities. Just thought I read that
> somewhere. Anyway if you think they can then you will give them an even
> wider berth...better safe than sorry. Thanks for the update, Tom.
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