Warning: Don't run over sticks...unless you are sure!

**uforgot** · 09-08-2009, 04:24 PM

Not sure why I hesitated yesterday, I usually don't, and every time I thought the stick looked weird, I was correct. I almost collided with a King Snake. Huge. If anyone can identify the first snake, I'd like to know what it is. Doesn't look venomous, but maybe a water snake? He had obviously just eaten and was having a time moving across the trail. The second one is a beautiful Copperhead. He had attitude also. Wasn't going to move off of the trail until he was good and ready. I even rolled pebbles at him. He just looked at me like "Are you kidding?" He finally turned around and left.

**irrealised** · 09-08-2009, 04:32 PM

Oh my, I should not have opened this thread! I just moved to MO, and snakes are definitely one of the reasons I haven't ventured out on the trails yet... eek! Do you see them often?

**uforgot** · 09-08-2009, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by irrealised

Oh my, I should not have opened this thread! I just moved to MO, and snakes are definitely one of the reasons I haven't ventured out on the trails yet... eek! Do you see them often?

No, no. I think it's because this part of the trail has had no maintenance. I was the trespasser here. We did see a few in May for the Pedlar's Jamboree, but they were the harmless King Snakes. I usually see babies and Garter snakes if any. I've ridden many many miles on the Katy, and last Sat. was pretty unusual for creatures. If it's any comfort, they are anxious to get out of my way. Well, except for that Copperhead, and that's the first time I've seen a Copperhead that wasn't in a zoo in 54 years. Mo all my life. Just don't assume it's a stick. I'm serious about that one.

**Tuckervill** · 09-08-2009, 04:43 PM

Copperheads can be quite aggressive, so I'm surprised he didn't want to move.

You're right about that--never assume it's a stick. Fortunately, I often assume it's a snake, and THEN figure out it's a stick, and feel foolish.

Karen

**irrealised** · 09-09-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by uforgot

No, no. I think it's because this part of the trail has had no maintenance. I was the trespasser here. We did see a few in May for the Pedlar's Jamboree, but they were the harmless King Snakes. I usually see babies and Garter snakes if any. I've ridden many many miles on the Katy, and last Sat. was pretty unusual for creatures. If it's any comfort, they are anxious to get out of my way. Well, except for that Copperhead, and that's the first time I've seen a Copperhead that wasn't in a zoo in 54 years. Mo all my life. Just don't assume it's a stick. I'm serious about that one.

Ok, that's good to know it's not a regular occurrence! I don't mind the non-venomous ones, and I saw plenty of garter snakes on the trails in NY, but I guess I got it in my head that MO snakes are scarier! I will be careful though, and try to avoid anything that looks like a stick

**MillieNZ** · 09-09-2009, 06:25 PM

you girls are so brave............ I'd have pooped myself and never to be seen for dust .....

thankfully there are no snakes in New Zealand

6 months in rural Australia was enough for me

**teigyr** · 09-10-2009, 12:31 AM

Snakes are ok. I know on trails it's difficult to know which ones are dangerous and which aren't, granted.

Gopher snakes are good. Garter snakes are good

I used to catch them (gopher snakes, that is) when I was young. I grew up with the potential of rattlers but I guess we learned how to tell who was who.

**maillotpois** · 09-08-2009, 04:34 PM

I ran over a huge gopher snake last year - I was on a downhill and didn't see him in time to bunny hop him. I went back and assisted him off the road and he seemed ok. I felt awful about it, and I love snakes, but then a few miles later at the SAG stop someone had a bungee cord and I got this huge irrational adrenaline rush because I thought it was a snake.

I can't identify your first friend there, but he is lovely.

**uforgot** · 09-08-2009, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by maillotpois

I ran over a huge gopher snake last year - I was on a downhill and didn't see him in time to bunny hop him. I went back and assisted him off the road and he seemed ok. I felt awful about it, and I love snakes, but then a few miles later at the SAG stop someone had a bungee cord and I got this huge irrational adrenaline rush because I thought it was a snake.

I can't identify your first friend there, but he is lovely.

I think I felt a kinship with the first snake because of the whole "Too full to move" thing going on. I'm going to have to look up gopher snakes. Now I'm interested in others' encounters!

**SadieKate** · 09-08-2009, 04:43 PM

It's hard to see much detail in your picture. Here's a list of common snakes with some really nice photos.

http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/herpetol/snake/snake1.htm
http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/herpetol/snake/snake2.htm

I agree with MP. Your specimens are beautiful.

**Tri Girl** · 09-08-2009, 04:48 PM

eek- snakes!

I'm impressed that you took the time to photograph them. I'd have high-tailed it out of there so fast it would have caused me to go back in time.

**uforgot** · 09-08-2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

It's hard to see much detail in your picture. Here's a list of common snakes with some really nice photos.

http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/herpetol/snake/snake1.htm
http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/herpetol/snake/snake2.htm

I agree with MP. Your specimens are beautiful.

Thanks for the links. I cropped and added another photo of #1.

**7rider** · 09-08-2009, 05:23 PM

Cool.
I'm gonna take a WAG-Stab-In-The-Dark and say "rat snake" for your first one.
Very neat.
I've never seen a copperhead (thankfully).

Thread: Warning: Don't run over sticks...unless you are sure!

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Warning: Don't run over sticks...unless you are sure!

Omg. I'm so terrifed of snakes.....

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