Float tube/pond-lake/snakes

[FlygURL]

This may sound silly, but if you were to use a float tube in a pond or a lake where snakes were prevelant, is it likely that one could think you were a resting place in the middle and climb aboard??

Has anyone had this happen?

[Mr T1]

flygURL -- It's not a silly question at all. Most snakes are harmless and most, even the poisonous ones, will go in the opposite direction when they see you. One exception, however, is the Cottonmouth Moccasin which is mean and aggressive and would have no hestiation in joining you on your float tube or in your boat. They frequently like to sun in riverside trees and brush so you should always stay cautious and alert when approaching any overhanging brush or trees.

The Cottonmouth is easily identifiable by its fat body with a short, stubby tail. It's head is triangular and typical of North American pit vipers. Usually they are charcoal gray or flat black in color but also appear with black and olive or black and brown patterns similar to those of the common non-poisonous water moccasin. However, in mature adults, the fat body and stubby tail is consistant regardless of color and is quite obvious. Even in younger snakes which have not yet fattened up, the short stubby tail is apparent. They get as large as a man's thigh with a head as large as a fat man's fist.

If you see one on the water, the best advice is to go the other way or steer well clear. They can and will bite under water, contrary to some myths I've heard over the years.

Interestingly, over the years I've heard numerous stories of Cottonmouths' dropping into boats but I've not heard one case of anyone being bitten. In fact, the worst thing I've heard was of a friend of a friend who supposedly nearly sank his boat by shooting holes in it while trying to fight off a Cottonmouth that had dropped in from a tree.

[Mr T1]

flygURL -- It's not a silly question at all. Most snakes are harmless and most, even the poisonous ones, will go in the opposite direction when they see you. One exception, however, is the Cottonmouth Moccasin which is mean and aggressive and would have no hestiation in joining you on your float tube or in your boat. They frequently like to sun in riverside trees and brush so you should always stay cautious and alert when approaching any overhanging brush or trees.

The Cottonmouth is easily identifiable by its fat body with a short, stubby tail. It's head is triangular and typical of North American pit vipers. Usually they are charcoal gray or flat black in color but also appear with black and olive or black and brown patterns similar to those of the common non-poisonous water moccasin. However, in mature adults, the fat body and stubby tail is consistant regardless of color and is quite obvious. Even in younger snakes which have not yet fattened up, the short stubby tail is apparent. They get as large as a man's thigh with a head as large as a fat man's fist.

If you see one on the water, the best advice is to go the other way or steer well clear. They can and will bite under water, contrary to some myths I've heard over the years.

Interestingly, over the years I've heard numerous stories of Cottonmouths' dropping into boats but I've not heard one case of anyone being bitten. In fact, the worst thing I've heard was of a friend of a friend who supposedly nearly sank his boat by shooting holes in it while trying to fight off a Cottonmouth that had dropped in from a tree.

[Mr T1]

flygURL -- It's not a silly question at all. Most snakes are harmless and most, even the poisonous ones, will go in the opposite direction when they see you. One exception, however, is the Cottonmouth Moccasin which is mean and aggressive and would have no hestiation in joining you on your float tube or in your boat. They frequently like to sun in riverside trees and brush so you should always stay cautious and alert when approaching any overhanging brush or trees.

The Cottonmouth is easily identifiable by its fat body with a short, stubby tail. It's head is triangular and typical of North American pit vipers. Usually they are charcoal gray or flat black in color but also appear with black and olive or black and brown patterns similar to those of the common non-poisonous water moccasin. However, in mature adults, the fat body and stubby tail is consistant regardless of color and is quite obvious. Even in younger snakes which have not yet fattened up, the short stubby tail is apparent. They get as large as a man's thigh with a head as large as a fat man's fist.

If you see one on the water, the best advice is to go the other way or steer well clear. They can and will bite under water, contrary to some myths I've heard over the years.

Interestingly, over the years I've heard numerous stories of Cottonmouths' dropping into boats but I've not heard one case of anyone being bitten. In fact, the worst thing I've heard was of a friend of a friend who supposedly nearly sank his boat by shooting holes in it while trying to fight off a Cottonmouth that had dropped in from a tree.

[Mr T]

Sorry abut the triple post. I tried to back out after posting and each time I back into the post menu it send another.