(02-04-2014, 01:16 AM)Ram Wrote: I see no reason at all to hurt any snake unless you are in real danger. In fact, I am not into the good or bad snake theory. Just because a snake is venomous, it doesn't make it bad. Most snake species will not attack you unless they feel threatened first. Don't bother a snake and just go around it while keep good distance if you see one in the wild or on the sidewalk or such. If a snake has got into your house, you can always call the police and let them to deal with it. Some areas have Animal Police who are good at removing such animals from private property in a professional way before releasing them miles away from your place.
I agree with you Ram, to a degree except when it comes to a Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin.
I think it really depends on where you live and whether or not it is breeding season for the snake. A Cottonmouth becomes incredibly aggressive during mating season and are very territorial snakes. If a den is disturbed, they will stand their ground. Many times people can't help but to disturb a den.
A quick example is that I own a house in Mississippi on 4 acres with a 1/2 acre pond. My property backs up more than 1000 acres of protected land.
I have seen more Cottonmouth than I can possibly count and have yet to see one that isn't highly aggressive. When they decide that your property is their home, they will protect it fiercely.
While mowing the grass on a riding mower, I had one that stood up roughly 12 inches from the ground. I reversed the mower and it chased it. Another decided to take up on my back porch. I walked out, tried to shoo it away and it came after me, striking as it quickly approached, forcing me to stand on lawn furniture and call a neighbor for help. Neither of these instances happened during mating season. I can give several more examples of the Cottonmouth being terribly aggressive. After owning my property for more than 10 years, I have never had a Cottonmouth retreat. It has been the exact opposite.
On the other hand my confrontations with Copperheads have indeed been the opposite. They have all scurried away with caution. I know that I do not have to worry as much about this species and therefore do not bother with trying to eliminate them.
I believe that considering that I was in the deep south and had a perfect habitat for snakes that my situation is more on the extreme end of the spectrum. I have come far too close to stepping on them, getting bit or my son and dogs getting bit. There was unfortunately no choice but to kill these snakes to keep the population down as much as possible. We couldn't live with the risk of them breeding and calling my property "home."
My preference would be to just let them live their little lives and I would live mine but that just wasn't possible where I lived. They were a constant worry and danger to everyone. The only snake control out in the country was a gun or maybe a shovel or garden hoe. Animal Control wouldn't touch them and in the area in which I lived in, was so over populated with Cottonmouth, that it was encourage by the ranger to shoot them. Unfortunate but true.
You are right though, and I totally agree that in nature...leave them alone. But putting me, my son and dogs in danger...it will have to be killed.
Once again, it truly depends on the area in which you live. Thank goodness Cottonmouths are not city slickers
