Snakes and Spiders » dangerous snake

Copperhead Snake Videos For Your Enjoyment

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:17 +0000

Copperhead snakes are among the most common venomous snakes in North America. They are found all over the country, and are dangerous if they bite us. The vast majority of people bitten by a copperhead snake will not die, but they will experience serious pain and swelling. Still, any snake bite deserves immediate medical treatment. This is an assortment of copperhead snake videos that I have found on YouTube. I hope you enjoy these copperhead videos as much as I have.

Now on with the videos!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Best Rattlesnake Videos On YouTube

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:15:35 +0000

YouTube allows us to see things up and close and personal that we would normally never get the chance to see at all. Certainly wild animals are a part of that. Here at Snakes and Spiders, we particularly love all the snake videos and spider videos that can be found on YouTube. Some of them are simply breath taking, and others are kind of terrible. We have waded through all the junk and found the best of the best. Here are the best rattlesnake videos that can be found on YouTube. Enjoy!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Asian Rock Python

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:15:59 +0000

Image Credited to Flickr User mango atchar

The Asian rock python, otherwise known as python molurus, can be found in West Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and in parts of southern Asia and China. The rock python is also one of the biggest snakes on the planet. This snake has been known to eat huge prey that most snakes can not handle. They are not that far behind the reticulated python in size.

The rock python has been known to exceed twenty feet in length, and they are a heavy bodied snake. While they are not venomous, they do have a number of very dangerous teeth that can deliver quite a nasty bite. The real power for this snake, however, is in it’s coils. The Asian rock python is a constrictor in that they squeeze the life out of their prey before swallowing them whole.

They like to live in valleys, heavily forested areas, and even out in wide open clearings where food is available. They always live close to a water source.

The rock python primarily eats rodents, birds, other snakes and reptiles, and small mammals. Once they get larger, they might take much larger prey. Some rock pythons have been known to attempt eating caymen, and even the occasional young jaguar.

While the rock python is not generally considered to be a big danger to humans, they are certainly capable of harming us. Given the opportunity, they can be deadly. Give this snake a wide berth if you come into contact with one.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to Snakes and Spiders.com!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

How to Tell a Mojave Rattlesnake From a Western Diamondback

admin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:50:17 +0000

If you live in the Southwestern range of the deadly snakes known as the Mojave and the Western diamondback, then you probably already know that they are both very dangerous. Knowing the difference between the two is also very important because the Mojave has a very different type of venom. This difference can be deadly if you receive the wrong type of antivenom. For this reason, you should know the difference between these two dangerous snakes. Here is a guideline to use of differences:

- The mojave usually has white and black bands on the tail. The white bands tend to be larger than the black. The western also has this pattern, but he bands tend to be the same size.

- The mojave sometimes takes on a greenish tint in color, whereas the western diamondback does not.

- The western diamondback tends to be a good deal larger, but this is misleading because of variance in ages.

- The mojave lacks the banding around the eyes that the western normally has.

- Both species are highly aggressive and bite readily.

- Both species are dangerous particularly in spring, when they arise from hibernation and are hungry.

- The mojave tends to bite first and rattle later. The western diamondback usually will warn the rattle in advance. This is far from one hundred percent, but just a general observation based on case studies.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to Snakes and Spiders.com!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Why Copperheads Are The Most Common Venomous Snakebite

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:37:48 +0000

The Copperhead

Of all the snakebites among venomous snakes in North America, the copperhead is the most common. The reason? Well, part of it has to do with the fact that they copperhead is one of the most widespread, but the reasons go a bit deeper than that. The copperhead snake is probably the least venomous of the big four venomous snake species in America.

The family of rattlesnakes, of which there are many subspecies, are among the more deadly along with the coral snake. The coral snake is not quite as dangerous simply because they are not encountered nearly as often, and when they do they are not as quick to bite. The cottonmouth is a fairly plentiful species, and they are certainly not afraid to bite, but they are found primarily in the Southern part of the US. The copperhead is spread all over. They are quick to bite if stepped on or messed with.

Another key factor with copperhead venomous snake bites is that they are found where the people are. Copperheads will set up in residential neighborhoods, farms, and even small forests that line the neighborhoods. If you see a venomous snake around your home, the chances are very high that it is a copperhead. Because of this proximity to people, the copperhead snake bite is the most common venomous snake bite in the United States.

The bite of the copperhead can range from very mild to highly dangerous. Most healthy adults will not have a serious problem with copperhead snake bites. Children, the elderly or anyone with a compromised immune system however can have major reactions to copperhead snake bite venom. As such, any copperhead snake bite should be viewed as a medical emergency. You should head to the emergency room as soon as possible if you are bitten by this snake.

The copperhead is by and large a very harmless snake that wants no part of people. They provide a wonderful service to our ecosystem, and without these snakes we would likely be overrun with vermin and things of this nature.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to Snakes and Spiders.com!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Gaboon Viper Of Africa – One Cool Reptile

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:21:30 +0000

The Gaboon Viper

The gaboon viper, which is the snake with the longest fangs in the world, is one of the most deadly and exciting snakes in the world. Many people love this snake as a pet because of the fact that they are generally very docile, but this can be a huge mistake. While docile, their snake bite is said to be one of the worst in the entire world. While deadly, this beautiful African snake is still one of the many wonders of nature that we all love as a reptile.

The snake is fat and stout, but it is still rather quick with the strike. A gaboon viper’s bite is nothing like their slow movements. When they do bite, it is with the longest fangs in the snake world at close to two inches long! To read more exciting information about the gaboon viper, please check out this article about the gaboon viper.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Boomslang – Fact and Fiction

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:30:24 +0000

Boomslang Pic Credited to Wikipedia User William Warby from London, England

Are Dangerous?

Where Do You Find The ?

How Big Do Get?

How Do You Identify A ?

What Does The Eat?

Are Generally Biters?

Found throughout the trees of subsaharan Africa, you will find a deadly snake called the boomslang. Boomslang, which is translated to the term “tree snake” is a very apt description. This venomous repitile is noted for being one of the most beautiful and deadly snakes in all of Africa.

Are Boomslangs Dangerous?

The boomslang is quite deadly, and is one of the few colubrids that can actually inject venom rather easily. This is because they have large rear fangs in which they deliver hemotoxic venom when they bite. Hemotoxins disable the blood from clotting, and many people who are bitten will bleed from every opening in their body. This is a gruesome death, but luckily the boomslang is a somewhat reluctant biter. They generally only bite when they are messed with, and the fact that they reside in trees limits their interaction with humans. Still, the bite is so serious that one must leave them alone if they are wise.

Where Do You Find The Boomslang?

The boomslang is found in the trees of subsaharan Africa. They rarely if ever venture out of the trees.

How Big Do Boomslangs Get?

The boomslang is long and slender, but rarely get larger than six feet.

How Do You Identify A Boomslang?

The boomslang is known for their large eyes, and varied coloration. The female is often a brownish color, while the male is usually a light green color with bluish tint around the edges of the scales. They are so commonly found in trees that identifying the boomslang is rather easy.

What Does The Boomslang Eat?

Boomslangs eat birds, insects, lizards, and anything small enough that they can swallow. Occasionally they will take other snakes.

Are Boomslangs Generally Biters?

As stated above, the boomslang is reluctant biters. The problem here is that they are so deadly when they do bite. Because of this, one should never approach a boomslang. The bite could kill you for sure.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to Snakes and Spiders.com!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Big Four Venomous Snakes Of Asia

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:31:54 +0000

Indian Cobra Courtesy of Wikipedia user Kamalnv

The big four venomous snakes in Asia are the four snakes that are most common to kill. These snakes are all quick to bite and can be deadly in a very short period of time. What truly makes the big four dangerous, however, is the fact that they are all found in and around the human population. This leads to more venomous snake bites than in most countries, and in turn, more deaths.

The big four members are as follows:

The Indian cobra (Naja Naja)
The Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
The Russell’s Viper (Daboia Russelii)
The Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis Carinatus)

Each of these powerful venomous snakes are capable of killing a human, and each of them can be readily found throughout the cities of India. These venomous snakes are kind of a win/lose situation for the residents there – on the one hand they keep the vermin population in check, and on the other they are deadly if you are bitten. Anti-venin is available widely throughout India in the event of a snake bite, and is a must if you are bitten by these big four snakes.

You will notice that the lengendary king cobra is not on this list of the big four. The reason? The king cobra is a reclusive snake that is content to hang out in the jungle. For this reason, they do not come in contact with the people of India nearly as often. Therefore they are not as dangerous. A bite from a king cobra is as deadly as they come, but they are just much rarer.

Here are some interesting notes about each of the big four venomous snakes of Asia:

The Indian Cobra – also called a monocled cobra. The Indian cobra is the cobra of legend that has a pair of monocled glasses on it’s back. They are quite venomous, and will bite readily if you surprise or harrass them. This is the snake that is used by snake charmers in India.

Russell's Viper Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons User Saleem Hameed

The Russell’s Viper – This snake is one of the most feared snakes in Asia. One reason is because the snake is so tough to see, and so quick to bite. They will strike without warning, and deliver a highly potent painful deadly snake bite. The Russell’s viper is no joke in India.

The Saw-Scaled Viper – This little buggar is interesting in that it sounds much like a small rattlesnake. The sound that it makes comes from rubbing it’s own scales against one another to create a buzzing noise. This noise is sure to get people’s attention in India as they know the danger of this highly aggressive viper.

The Common Krait – Another potentially deadly snake that is famous in India. It appears this

Saw Scaled Viper

snake is prone to climbing into bed with you in pursuit of a rodent or other vermin. This is not a nightime surprise I would want to experience. The common Krait is a beautiful but potentially deadly reptile.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

A Ball Python Escaped In My Apartment

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:15:20 +0000

Ball pythons are notorious for getting out of their cages. For that matter, snakes in general are notorious escape artists. For this reason, it is not a good idea for unexperienced snake keepers to keep dangerous snakes. That said, I learned my lesson the hard way with my pet ball python years back. Here is what happened.

The ball python that I had was a pretty stout one. It went about six feet or so, and was pretty thick around the middle. The snake had always been a very laid back snake, and was not prone to strike in the least. We had no small pets or children in the house, and the ball python does not get terribly large, so we did not worry too much about it getting out of it’s cage. Big mistake….

One morning I woke up and walked over to say good morning. When I did, the lid of the cage had been moved away just enough for the snake to get out, and the ball python was gone! No snake anywhere. I searched that apartment for hours. I started to panic a bit, because the snake could be anywhere. I wasn’t worried about the snake actually harming anyone, but I was worried that an escaped six foot python could alarm the heck out of the neighbors not to mention the snake itself.

After about six hours and several uncomfortable conversations with the neighbors, I gave in and when to work.

I got home that night and started to implement some of the many ideas given to me by coworkers. I tried putting out some food. I tried the ventilation system. I tried the heaters and ducts. I tried everything. After about six more hours, I gave up ever finding that ball python.

I fixed myself some supper, and then got myself propped up in front of the television for the latest “Seinfeld” episode. Then it hit me.

The television is often considered a prime hiding spot for escaped snakes because of the heat source. Not so much the television as under the television. The problem was, the only way to check it out was to stick my head down there and look. Now a six foot python that decides to bite you is not very fun. I figured that it would be a bit cranky and maybe a bit hungry as well. Not a good mixture when you are putting your face down into a small area.

I stuck my head down to peek under the television where there was about three inches of clearance. As soon as I did, my ball python bit me right on the nose. The strike nearly gave me a heart attack. I had never seen him strike unless he was eating and seeing it that close up and personal was a snake bite experience I would have loved to have missed.

I finally got him out of there, but only with the promise of food. I waved a little mouse (dead) in front of the opening and slowly brought it out far enough that I could get him behind the head.

I learned my lesson about escaping snakes that day. From that point forward, I always kept my snake safely tucked away and the locks in place. My nose is now healed, but I will never forget that snake bite.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Copperhead Snake Facts and Information

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:34:43 +0000

Copperhead

Perhaps no other venomous snake in North America is more widely confused than the copperhead. The copperhead actually has three different subspecies throughout North America. These subspecies are all quite similar, and all venomous. The copperhead snake is also the most common snakebite in North America among the dangerous snakes. This fascinating reptile is not the evil serpent people think.

How Dangerous is The Copperhead

The copperhead has venom that is roughly half the toxicity of a rattlesnake. Additionally, the copperhead also has relatively small fangs and delivers a much smaller amount of venom. Because of these factors, the copperhead often is a much less serious snake bite than that of the cottonmouth or rattlesnake. Still, as with any snake bite, it is considered a medical emergency and can be extremely dangerous. The copperhead is not a ready biter, but will bite if it feels threatened. Often, people accidentally step on them due to their fantastic talent of blending with their surroundings. The vast number of a copperhead bite victims never see the snake.

Copperhead

Where Do You Find The Copperhead

The copperhead is found throughout the United States and is the most widely distributed venomous snake in the country. They like to hang out in brush, under leaves, and anywhere that they can find a meal. They are also the most likely venomous snake to encounter around your home. The copperhead is very adaptive in this way.

What Does The Copperhead Look Like and How Big Do They Get?

A copperhead snake will generally grow to a maximum of about three feet. They all have copper colored heads, and have a ground color of pink, brown, or even tan depending on the subspecies. They have triangular shaped heads, and the trademark facial pits that pit vipers are known for. They also have markings that are smaller around the spine and widen as they go towards the underside of the snake. These markings are darker than the ground color of the copperhead.

Copperhead

What Does The Copperhead Eat?

The copperhead eats small rodents, vermin and anything else they can capture. They have been known to kill and eat lizards and other similar types of prey as well.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.