The 'aggression' you think you see is actually only fear-induced defensive posturing.
They sincerely would rather not bite you.
You scare *them* silly and they just want to be left alone long enough to run away from you.
The 'aggression' you think you see is actually only fear-induced defensive posturing.
They sincerely would rather not bite you.
You scare *them* silly and they just want to be left alone long enough to run away from you.
Uh, some of these copperheads we have around here will attempt to drive a human off of what they apparently consider their territory, or away from what they consider “their” food. (Say, those 6-8” bluegills on my stringer, that the snake can’t possibly swallow, but he’s determined to try, anyway.)
I know the above is not the “narrative”, but I and others with me have witnessed it repeatedly. I am totally serious in postulating that the copperheads and possibly some water moccasins in at least some locations have adapted to most humans retreating from them, instead of making the snake lunch. (Some of the locations I frequent are primarily fishing ponds / lakes, and very few fishermen bring along anything that can safely dispatch a poisonous snake. So, the fishermen / women typically “skedaddle”. But, many of these are “family fishing areas”, for one thing — one is also very nicely set up for handicapped anglers.
Alternately, if Mr. Copperhead thinks I’m going to abandon a stringer with a dozen nice bluegill on it, he’s not going to repeat that mistake. I had this happen and the snake absolutely refused to retreat — that’s when I ran to my car, got my machete — it took at least 2-3 minutes to get back, and then I performed a Muslim ritual.)
At home — Again, I had many a pet snake in my younger years, and even now, if anything from a ringneck to a big black rat snake turns up on our property and is easily caught, I’ll snag it, show it to my young daughter, and if it’s docile will let her handle it, before releasing it. They (rat snakes particularly) help keep the mice down. But with a poisonous snake, I’m not going to risk that my daughter or a neighbor kid could be harmed.
if you prefer any cane training; I can refer you to a very
effective dvd(s). I been in the Martial arts for decades.
I live in the countryside in Central Texas. I do have snakes both poisonous and non poisonous. I leave them alone unless it is poisonous and near the house. That one must die, due to my pets and grandchildren.