Possible Copperhead near Bullfrog Pond

There's a snake around Bullfrog Pond which may be a copperhead. I'm not positive, but the markings are similar. In the meantime, young children might want to stay clear of the pond, and if we have any snake experts, they may want to go poke around.

 

FWIW ... here is a link to what one looks like:

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...images?q=copperhead+snake&svnum=10&hl=en&sa=G

 

Where is Bullfrog Pond?

 

Right about there.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=39.026827,-77.514478&spn=0.005709,0.010042&z=17&om=1&msid=115073132830832539416.00000112ab7da70bd933a

 

pretty precise, thank you!

 

We saw a approx 4 feet long black snake in the play area of hillside park. I spoke to the Broadland's naturalist. She said that it seems like a rat snake which is non poisonous. I haven't gone back to that play area again.

 

Yeah, those are around; they're no big deal. This looked more like a copperhead, which is very much poisonous.

 

Copperheads can be dangerous but if you dont mess with them, they wont mess with you. Sounds cliche but its true.

 

We saw a Copperhead in the general area of the Nature Center last year - closer to the Tennis courts and trees in the water runn-off area. But yes, they are unlikey to bother if you stay away - don't go running through this area.

That black snake may also be a King snake. Not dangerous either but pretty common in this area as well. I have caught several Garter snakes as well in this area (close to where we live - behind the tennis courts).

 

A great article on living with wildlife: http://www.loudounwildlife.org/HHSnakeTales.htm

 

My wife and I were out for a walk yesterday afternoon on Claiborne near the Nature Center, headed towards Ridgeway. We walked past the metal railing (on the Nature Center side), and I noticed something moving right next to the path. As I stepped down, I realized it was a BIG snake out sunning itself. It looked kind of like the copperhead picture included in this thread. Of course, I didn't get the best look at it...I scared it, and it scared me. He slithered off into the ivy.

Last week, my son and I were driving down old Waxpool (the gravel stretch) and saw a long (3-4 feet) black snake in the middle of the road. Needless to say, we kept driving. These snakes seem to be everywhere!

 

steveruns26,

We were out walking in the same area yesterday, and I think that we may have seen the same snake (similar markings to what you describe). Two boys (10-ish) were alternating trying to prod it with a stick or throwing peebles at it. Not smart.

Given the number of sightings, I hope parents take a few minutes to talk to their kids about snakes and what to do / not do before something unfortunate happens. I would hate for a Darwinian moment to occur.

 

Finding a copperhead near bullfrog pond is definitely a possibility, as they tend to live near the water and feed on rodents and frogs.
Copperhead bites are venemous but rarely fatal. They can cause pain and swelling and definitely require medical attention, BUT, copperhead venom is only mildly toxic.
What I try to teach the kids who come into the Nature Center is that they can touch the animals in the Nature Center because they are PETS, but they should never approach or touch ANY wild animals. It is dangerous to them and to the animal.
Snakes are cold-blooded and many hibernate, so right now, they are coming out and warming up in the sun. We should let them be, all snakes prefer to run away than to bite, and will do so if given the chance. Remember, we are much larger and more dangerous to snakes than they are to us. Please, live and let live.
Julie

 

Hey Julie - if a snake seems to be staying in an area and becomes a possible danger, is there a number to call? Does animal control deal with things like this? I have caught 2 snakes in my yard the past 2 years but just released them away from the general area - and I am sure they are making their way back too.

But just curious, because if there is a Copperhead, might be nice to be able to re-locate it to somewhere safer for it and us.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IONTrsBHSig

 

Does a Copperhead swim? My house backs to the Pond and I watched a pretty good sized snake swim across the other day. I think it was roused from the edge-grass by the mowing crews that were working around the pond.

It was a good swimmer, and went from the east side (weedy) to the west (nice "shore"). Unfortunately, I couldn't really see color - but it was about 2' long.

 

To reply to the last 2 posts, copperheads can swim, but it is not common. What you probably saw was a northern water snake, which swims and eats fish. These are non-venemous but could be mistaken for a copperhead, because of the markings.

picture: http://www.umass.edu/nrec/snake_pit/pages/nwater.html


As far as relocating snakes, I dont see that being necessary, unless they are living in your basement.
As I said, most snakes are afraid of people, after all, we are significantly larger and more dangerous than any snake around here.
Copperheads are most likely going to stay away from your house and from people, and the most common snakes in your yard will be garter and rat snakes, which are not dangerous at all. ALthough I dont recommend it at all, even if a kid was to try and pick up one of these snakes, the snake would probably not even bite.
Think of it this way-the snakes are keeping mice and rats out of your house and rabbits and chipmunks out of your garden and landscaping.
Julie

 

Unfortunately Julie, the fear of snakes, spiders and height are probably the biggest phobias existing. I've heard of people hacking a simple garden snake with an axe just because it was "a snake". The one snake I hope we never see in North America is the one that has taken over Guam. I think it's a brown tree snake. It's a natural at climbing trees and seeks out bird's nests for the eggs and fledglings, it will also eat small animals, amphibians and reptiles. Serious stuff.

 

Don't kill the snakes! I saw an episode on Steve Irwin where a farmer called Steve to come and help with a huge mice problem on his farm. Steve asked some questions and found out the farmer had killed all the snakes with a shovel head, just as previously mentioned, just to rid the area of them.

To follow up on the previous post we should keep in mind the snakes will help keep the mice etc out of our homes and yards even. Don't kill the snakes!!!