Snakes and boots?

[DaveS]

I see them every day at Cross Creeks Refuge...mighty big ones too!

[gjohnsoniv]

lol

[Guest kingarmory]

Not documented here either, but I have seen them at KY Lake.

Yup saw two of them when I was there fishing in a cove there, really shocked me

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Central AL and S. Ga had lots of rattlers but S.E. TN doesn't seem to have numerous rattlers, which is a big advantage to the area. Copperheads in SE TN, but I haven't met many.

When I'd go tubing at the hiwassee river even farther east in SE TN, there seemed to be cottonmouths in that icy water, but dunno fer sure. Have heard different opinions. There would be black water snakes lounging in the sun on logs on the shore as I'd drift by in the tube, and occassionally see one swimming in the water. Some of the locals said some of the black water snakes were cottonmouths, but I never asked any of those black water snakes to open their mouths and say, "Aaaah" so I could see if the mouth was white.

One time was tubing with daughter when she was about 10 and we floated under a tree overhanging off a small island. A trout fisherman standing in the river kindly pointed out to my daughter that big ole snake that was hanging off the tree branch we were going under. So the rest of the trip she insisted we stay exactly in the center of the river and not get anywhere near the shore.

From living in more snaky climes, underbrush gives me the willies. I like to see where am stepping. I like to hike with a walking stick for one reason to lift up underbrush and look around before walking thru a dense patch.

The brand of snake gaiters I have are no longer made, had to do a lot of internet searching to find em shortly after the company had quit making them a few years ago. But have heard that there are other snake gaiters you can buy. Mine go from ankle to knee and are thin and lightweight, quick to attach with snaps. Velcro might be better, dunno. They are stiff nylon canvas on both sides with a layer of kevlar fabric in the middle. "laboratory tested rattler proof". Assuming the snake is polite enough not to bite higher up above the gaiter. Supposedly they usually strike low unless you happen to meet one on a tree stump or uphill on a slope.

The theory is to use em with good quality fully-leather hiking boots. They say a snake can't bite thru a good full-leather boot. So the gaiters take over where the boots leave off. The bottom of the gaiter overlaps the top of the boot for some inches. Haven't been hiking lately, but will carry the gaiters and not wear em unless I run into a spot of underbrush so thick I'd about have an anxiety attack walking thru the underbrush. So then will put on the gaiters to get thru the snaky part of the trail and take the gaiters back off when it gets back to clear-visibility trail.

If I ever need to do more bush-whacking with chainsaw, have thought about getting some chainsaw chaps. Supposedly they are good to avoid stupid chainsaw accidents and not something a snake would easily bite thru either?

[Oh Shoot]

....

When I'd go tubing at the hiwassee river even farther east in SE TN, there seemed to be cottonmouths in that icy water, but dunno fer sure. Have heard different opinions. There would be black water snakes lounging in the sun on logs on the shore as I'd drift by in the tube, and occassionally see one swimming in the water. Some of the locals said some of the black water snakes were cottonmouths, but I never asked any of those black water snakes to open their mouths and say, "Aaaah" so I could see if the mouth was white.

Just no. No way.

Several watersnakes in TN resemble cottonmouth. Hell, even cottonmouths don't all look even remotely the same, adults can be solid or banded, to a more or lesser degree. Point is, even in their known range cottonmouths are rare, other snakes common. Also, cottonmouths are not likely to climb tree limbs. They also don't favor large bodies of water for the most part compared to small sluggish creeks and streams.

http://www.tennsnake...th Brochure.pdf

Similar comparisons from VA, with one major diffs: They have the Eastern Cottonmouth, we have the Western, which is generally not as vividly banded, when indeed they even are perceptibly banded. What they call the Northern Watersnake is same as the Northern Diamondback Watersnake in the TN document. A very common snake all over TN.

http://www.virginiah...th.asp#northern

http://www.virginiah...th.asp#northern

TWRA says:

"COTTONMOUTHS (Agkistrodon piscivorus) DO NOT OCCUR IN EAST TENNESSEE. MOST REPORTED SIGHTINGS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO MISIDENTIFICATION OF THE NORTHERN WATERSNAKE"

http://www.tn.gov/tw...nakesposter.pdf

I'd opine that if you could somehow guarantee that folks weren't bringing them in from further south, a feller could offer $100 for each cottonmouth brought in statewide over a summer dead or alive, and not be out over two or three grand, and maybe not even half that. And of course a hefty fine for each non-poisonous one brought in also.

- OS

Edited June 6, 2012 by OhShoot

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks OS

I didn't get a good look at the snake in the tree, don't think it was a black snake but it was awhile ago. Was just joking that daughter hadn't noticed the snakes in the water and on the logs until after the fisherman showed her the one in the tree.

[Oh Shoot]

Thanks OS

I didn't get a good look at the snake in the tree, don't think it was a black snake but it was awhile ago. Was just joking that daughter hadn't noticed the snakes in the water and on the logs until after the fisherman showed her the one in the tree.

If you're being quiet over a days' fishing, it pretty rare NOT to see snakes in the water near shore on Watts Bar where I grew up fishing.

Occasionally would appear way out on night fishing grounds on edges of channel, drawn by the lanterns and all the minnow activity I guess. See them now and then out in middle of lake when you're putting across Also see quite a few various snakes up in the extensive willow bush structure which tends to take over most of the uninhabited shoreline. But none, of course, are cottonmouth.

Hell, I had a big ass dark rat snake or king snake recently stretched perfectly along top of sliding glass door frame on my little porch right here in the urb. I'm sure if seen next to the water most anywhere in TN , many will automatically assume cottonmouth! -- these things don't look all that diff from the solid colored cottonmouth adults.

- OS

Edited June 6, 2012 by OhShoot

[DaveS]

No cotton mouths in middle tn for sure I've been collecting and removing snakes for years in this area it's part of my business and never has anyone proved to me or have I found one in this area!

You ain't looking very hard!

Oh, I just noticed you aren't from this area of the state......

Well....we have them this far north...confirmed!

[Guest bkelm18]

You ain't looking very hard!

Oh, I just noticed you aren't from this area of the state......

Well....we have them this far north...confirmed!

Confirmed by who?

[DaveS]

Confirmed by who?

ME, the Biologist and other USFWS Wardens.

Dave

Edited June 7, 2012 by wd-40

[Guest adamoxtwo]

We had a Cottonmouth killed in our neighborhood a couple weeks ago. I live off of Exit 11 (I24) so I have to say that regardless of what people say....they ARE here. And yes the authorities were notified since the guy used a shotgun in the neighborhood to kill it (and yes we are in the county)

[kwe45919]

Critters, animals, snakes, bugs...whatever will always migrate somewhere, anywhere they see fit. I definatly say that the possibility of seeing a cotton mouth in E, W, N or S TN is absolutly possible yet as of right now it is "undocumented" by TWRA or other agencies. I also believe that there are some type of large harry beast or man or monkey/gorillas that walk around the woods all over the U.S.....what they are who knows, but there has to be something everyone has been seeing.

Just saying, these days anything is possible and everyone should be open up to the possibility of regional animals or mamals moving from their "teritory" into ours.

[Guest adamoxtwo]

just like there are no mountain lions in TN then one gets hit off of 24 a couple years back

[DaveS]

Critters, animals, snakes, bugs...whatever will always migrate somewhere, anywhere they see fit. I definatly say that the possibility of seeing a cotton mouth in E, W, N or S TN is absolutly possible yet as of right now it is "undocumented" by TWRA or other agencies. I also believe that there are some type of large harry beast or man or monkey/gorillas that walk around the woods all over the U.S.....what they are who knows, but there has to be something everyone has been seeing.

Just saying, these days anything is possible and everyone should be open up to the possibility of regional animals or mamals moving from their "teritory" into ours.

Well my friend, "other" agencies have documented them....

Their here....LBL, Cross Creeks around the sloughs and backwaters of the cumberland..just be careful of them while you're out and about!

Dave

Edited June 8, 2012 by wd-40

[Oh Shoot]

just like there are no mountain lions in TN then one gets hit off of 24 a couple years back

No, it didn't. No matter how compelling your friend's uncle's neighbor's account may be.

- OS

Edited June 8, 2012 by OhShoot

[Guest adamoxtwo]

Sir yes Sir

[Guest adamoxtwo]

So OhShoot, since you are a self proclaimed expert on everything can you tell me where Jimmy Hoffa is Buried? I mean you do know everything don't you?

[Will H]

I'd opine that if you could somehow guarantee that folks weren't bringing them in from further south, a feller could offer $100 for each cottonmouth brought in statewide over a summer dead or alive, and not be out over two or three grand, and maybe not even half that. And of course a hefty fine for each non-poisonous one brought in also.

- OS

I hope that someone does offer this... I live on the boarder of the swamp land to the north east of Memphis. I could easily run the person offering this broke.

[Oh Shoot]

So OhShoot, since you are a self proclaimed expert on everything can you tell me where Jimmy Hoffa is Buried?

Underneath parking lot of Giant Stadium.

I mean you do know everything don't you?

I admit to being quite shrewd in regard to undocumented Tennessee "painter" sightings. And especially black ones -- even my Yeti friends assure me they don't exist.

Btw, there really was one killed in CT in 2011 (not black of course, which is unknown, ever) : http://newrochelle.p...-south-dakota-9)

- OS

Edited June 8, 2012 by OhShoot

[DaveS]

TN is absolutly possible yet as of right now it is "undocumented" by TWRA or other agencies.

What kind of "documentation you expecting to find? Facebook? Google? Actual sightings?

Any proof it's not "documented"? How would you like it documented before you beleive their here?

PM your address and I'll send you one. That way you can see for yourself. Dead or alive....your choice.

Dave

[DaveS]

Documented!

http://www.tennsnakes.org/venomous_not.htm

[DaveS]

Here's some more info for ya....

http://www.cottonmouthsnake.org/

[kwe45919]

What kind of "documentation you expecting to find? Facebook? Google? Actual sightings?

Any proof it's not "documented"? How would you like it documented before you beleive their here?

PM your address and I'll send you one. That way you can see for yourself. Dead or alive....your choice.

Dave

Documented!http://www.tennsnake...enomous_not.htm

Here's some more info for ya....

http://www.cottonmouthsnake.org/

Dude...chill. I was joshin' with the masses here....I absolutly believe cottonmouths can be found anywhere. It's why I put this in my response....

Just saying, these days anything is possible and everyone should be open up to the possibility of regional animals or mamals moving from their "teritory" into ours.

Snakes are snakes and people should be aware....simple as that. Don't matter where you are, a snake is more than likley near by.....geeze.

Edited June 8, 2012 by kwe45919

[DaveS]

No Bad (I think that's what young people say) I'm with you. Folks keep asking for documentation. I was just curious "what kind" of documention people expect......

[DaveS]

I picked a dead cottonmouth up today off the gravel road at the refuge. Anyone want it?