Posts Tagged ‘Venomous snake’

TOILET BOWL SNAKE ATTACKS ON THE RISE

More now than ever, people who sit down on the commode just to relieve themselves are being bitten in their posteriors by venomous snakes. The culprits include water moccasins and copperheads.

The Federal Bureau of Statistics reports that in 1997, there were 105 reported toilet bowl snake attacks, resulting in 17 fatalities. In 1998, there were 135 attacks and 30 fatalities. In 1999, 200 attacks were reported, and 50 fatalities. Why? According to Harvey Schitz at the Federal Bureau of Statistics, urban sprawl is to blame. “We keep building new subdivisions way out in areas that used to be wilderness, and have disturbed natural reptile habitats. This was bound to happen.” Mr. Schitz added that people who live in the city are much less likely to be attacked in this manner. “Until new serpent-proof toilets and plumbing are developed, This problem is going to get worse and worse out in the suburbs. Maybe it isn’t so dangerous back in the city after all!”

Sadly this does happen but is very rare. Look before you sit!  It is a jungle out there sometimes and we don’t even know it!

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The Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth

That beauty is the water moccasin aka cotton mouth. The picture shows clearly how it got it’s common name also in some locales it is known as lock jaw for the same reason. Note the head held low and cocked at a 45 degree angle, this is the classic warning pose of the Agkistrodon species (moccasin and copperhead) our other pit vipers (rattlesnakes) will hold the head elevated and level often curling the upper body back in a S to prepare for the strike. For this reason the strike distance is greater with the rattlesnakes then the moccasin or copperhead but still no more than one third the length of the body. Also very distinctive on the water moccasin is the “square” sided head. Both the water snakes (Nerodia species) and the water moccasins share the keeled scales (the ridge down the center of each scale) and are commonly confused for this reason plus many of the water snakes are similarly colored but the square sided head is unique to the water moccasin as are the vertical slit pupils, all other non venomous snakes have round pupils.

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Meet  Jason Clark of “Snakeskins”

Animal Planet

On Thursday, Sep 09, 2010 The Wildlife Pro Network  had Animal Planet,  SnakeSkin star, Jason Clark stop by and discuss snake handling services. Jason  is the president of Griffin, Ga-based Southeastern Reptile Rescue, which conducts education programs to teach people about reptiles. It also rescues the slithery critters.Almost all of the employees of the company, which handles 9-1-1 calls about snakes throughout Georgia and its neighboring states, are Clark’s relatives.

Jason Clark is a former Clayton County Police Department School Resource Officer & has been a member of the Wildlife Pro Network since Mar 2009.

Listen To The Podcast

The Wildlife Pro Network was very thankful for Jason Clark of the Southeast Reptile Rescue Center for over an hour and half of information on venomous and non venomous snakes. He was joined by David McLeod of Georgia Wildlife Services in Atlanta, Gene Beck of Becks Wildlife Removal of Camilla, Ga, Adam Utterback , Iowa River Wildlife Control of Waterloo Iowa. This show was packed full of information useful to anyone interested in snakes in general. For more on this topic visit the forum at http://www.wildlifepro.net/forum/topics/snake-removal-services

Excerpt of an interview with the Mole On Animal Planet

how often have you been bitten?

I handle non-venomous snakes with my bare hands. So bites happen frequently. When it comes to venomous snakes, I have strict protocol that I adhere to. Number one, stay away from the pointy end. So far, it’s kept me safe.

Of all the animals in the world to focus on, spend time with, learn about, love—why did you choose snakes?

I care about nature and want others to do the same. By focusing on the most despised, loathsome creature on earth, we bring people to an appreciation of them. Once that person can appreciate a snake, then everything else that nature has to offer is much easier to love.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when confronted with a snake?

They panic and believe that the best option is to destroy the snake so it can’t hurt anyone. The truth is, most bites happen as a person is trying to capture or kill the snake. Leaving the snake alone is the safe thing to do.

What do you hope viewers will learn from “SnakesKin”?

That snakes are animals, just like dogs, cats, birds and every other animal. They just want to survive on this planet. And, they are willing to do so peacefully as long as we follow their rules of personal space.

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