Always Be Alert!

[TnRiver46]

2 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

In my state of New Jersey we don't have alligators but we have the Northern Water snake which isn't venomous but can still be a pain in the ass and will attack you if you bother it enough. During the summer time on my lake they will sometimes coil up on our dock ladder and one time I almost stepped on a pretty big one before it quickly swam off into the lake. I've also had these guys swim by me in the lake but thankfully they're afriad of humans. 

The northern banded water snake is what I call the East Tennessee water moccasin. We literally DO NOT have water moccasins in East Tennessee but the northern banded water snake is labeled as a water moccasin 100% of the time if it’s seen it the water! Hahaha

[galyonj]

3 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

In my state of New Jersey we don't have alligators but we have the Northern Water snake which isn't venomous but can still be a pain in the ass and will attack you if you bother it enough.

 

This is my experience with 100% of the reptiles I've ever been around and/or handled. And I've had the pleasure of owning a few and handling a whole bunch, from hatchling bearded dragons to grown argentine tegus all the way up to 15' reticulated pythons.

 

Unless they're guarding a nest, guarding a kill, or you step on them, reptiles would just as soon not have anything to do with something the size of an adult human.

 

Protecting kids and housepets are another matter, and you gotta do what you gotta do in that situation.

 

One notable exception is the tokay gecko I had when I was in my 20s. That little guy just hated everything.

6 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

The northern banded water snake is what I call the East Tennessee water moccasin. We literally DO NOT have water moccasins in East Tennessee but the northern banded water snake is labeled as a water moccasin 100% of the time if it’s seen it the water! Hahaha

 

Didn't you know that East Tennessee's full of water moccasins? Also that literally everybody here's a descendant of a Cherokee chief (or princess, it depends on who's telling the lie)?

 

Water snakes look close enough for jazz. There are some glaring differences, but close enough for jazz suits their purposes just fine.

 

One of these days I'm gonna catch me another water snake. I've got close a couple times, but I'm slow in my old age.

[TnRiver46]

5 minutes ago, galyonj said:

 

This is my experience with 100% of the reptiles I've ever been around and/or handled. And I've had the pleasure of owning a few and handling a whole bunch, from hatchling bearded dragons to grown argentine tegus all the way up to 15' reticulated pythons.

 

Unless they're guarding a nest, guarding a kill, or you step on them, reptiles would just as soon not have anything to do with something the size of an adult human.

 

Protecting kids and housepets are another matter, and you gotta do what you gotta do in that situation.

 

One notable exception is the tokay gecko I had when I was in my 20s. That little guy just hated everything.

 

Didn't you know that East Tennessee's full of water moccasins? Also that literally everybody here's a descendant of a Cherokee chief (or princess, it depends on who's telling the lie)?

 

Water snakes look close enough for jazz. There are some glaring differences, but close enough for jazz suits their purposes just fine.

 

One of these days I'm gonna catch me another water snake. I've got close a couple times, but I'm slow in my old age.

I catch them for customers in minnow traps sometimes. Now I will say that actual water moccasins, the ones in Georgia , Alabama , Fla, west Tn, etc., those are an ornery species. Every snake will disappear except cottonmouth, they bring the party straight to ya! 

[galyonj]

Yeah. They do not want anybody in their business. lol

[MAN]

1 hour ago, galyonj said:

 

City folk, man. What can ya do?

I can ignore them...which is exactly what I do 

[TriStateBassin106]

35 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

The northern banded water snake is what I call the East Tennessee water moccasin. We literally DO NOT have water moccasins in East Tennessee but the northern banded water snake is labeled as a water moccasin 100% of the time if it’s seen it the water! Hahaha

Northern Water snakes are honestly not that big of a deal, I just get creeped out a bit knowing they can hide right under your feet and swim below you. 

[Bankc]

Cottonmouths.  They're aggressive and territorial.  And during mating season, it's not unusual to see dozens all right next to each other.  Most snakes run away when they see you.  But not Cottonmouths.  They'll chase you.  And it's bad enough to run into them on land, but when you've got one coming at you and you're stuck in a kayak...  Well, let's just say it's worth the investment to buy a nice paddle that won't break if you slap it hard against the surface of the water.  

 

Although, realistically, the most dangerous animals on the water are other people, bees, and dogs.  That's what's most likely to kill you.  

[TnRiver46]

23 minutes ago, Bankc said:

Cottonmouths.  They're aggressive and territorial.  And during mating season, it's not unusual to see dozens all right next to each other.  Most snakes run away when they see you.  But not Cottonmouths.  They'll chase you.  And it's bad enough to run into them on land, but when you've got one coming at you and you're stuck in a kayak...  Well, let's just say it's worth the investment to buy a nice paddle that won't break if you slap it hard against the surface of the water.  

 

Although, realistically, the most dangerous animals on the water are other people, bees, and dogs.  That's what's most likely to kill you.  

I always have my epipen on board! 

[lo n slo]

24 minutes ago, Bankc said:

 people 

 

That's what's most likely to kill you.  

don’t get me started. smh

[soflabasser]

Many of the places I fish are loaded with alligators, water moccasins, Burmese pythons, and other potentially dangerous wildlife. You just have to pay attention to your surroundings and you should be ok. 

[cheezyridr]

On 2/28/2021 at 12:23 PM, scaleface said:

My biggest fear are bees , especially ground hornets . They hate me .

 

On 4/1/2021 at 1:17 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

When I was young. I was standing on a loose rock.  It was fun teetering back and forth;  right until the swarm of hornets/wasps came flying out.  I broke a land speed record that day. 
 

now I always watch where I walk. 

On 4/1/2021 at 1:17 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

 

 

bees and wasps/hornets are my nitemare.  i will fight 3 grown men before i mess with a yellowjacket.  i used to have a recurring dream that a yellowjacket the size of a large dog was living in my attic.  and i didn't even have an attic then.

 

 

we have copperheads here.  they will chase you. i am careful as i can be to look for them, but my eyes ain't what they used to be. that's why i wear boots.

[jgordon]

No one has mentioned CHIGGERS had one run in with them and now its sawyers bug spray everything anytime I go bank beating.  I have a buddy who has scars on his feet from another run in with the chiggers.