A few years back I was night fishing at Grapevine. I went to move spots and noticed something on the back deck. I though maybe I left a worm bag or something out. I went to reach for it and it moved... Luckily it was just a water snake. Still gave me the hebie jebies. I couldn't fish the rest of the night without worrying something was in the boat. Never thought to look at my hotfoot at night until then!

Saw this one in LHouston yesterday, good 7-8 ft up, think this is a DB watersnake though, we used to see them ALL over Fayette years ago. Would not be welcome still in my boat!!

Great! Sounds like the sucker we killed last year on our deck!

There's snakes in Lake Fork?? I know when there's alot of rain, the current goin into the sink hole in the back of Williams, draws a lot of snakes and other stuff!!

I'm a field biologist. Nature lover. Hiker, camper, etc. I know all snakes play an important ecological role and are beneficial. I know only a subset of snakes are venomous. I know that excellent scientific studies have shown that cotton mouths are far, far less likely to bite humans than water snakes. They are "aggressive" in the sense that they have a very effective "aggressive" anti-predator behavior that includes showing the white, "cotton" mouth. I know, I know, I know. I'm still scared to death of them and squeal like a little girl when I am startled by one. I don't even like seeing them from ten yards away.

There is that young biologist who makes YouTube videos, catches all sorts of reptiles and then gives a short primer about them. He was showing how very non-aggressive cottonmouths are by setting up in front of them, getting them to posture up, then repeatedly nudging them with his boot. I don't think he ever got one to strike. And, they are typically blunt shaped, not very long, swim with more of their bodies on top of the water than submerged. Eyes are different, anal scales different.

Don't get that close to any water snakes.

Sounds like a good "id" to me, too, based on the description given.

Be wary, though . . . next up might be the old tall tale about the guy falling off his skis and getting bitten by 100 cottonmouths in the water. It even made it into the great western movie (not the water skis but a cattle crossing), Lonesome Dove, as a scene.

Brad

if you can ID it that way, you are WAYYYYY too close!

A lot of people confuse water snakes with cottonmouths. But Billy's description, short and thick, is right on for a cottonmouth. A 3.5 footer is a monster.
I'm an animal lover, but not these guys. Good job Red. [/quote]

Joe you are right when you say they get confused with a water snake. Best reason to kill em all.

LMBO, but he's on the right end of him though.

...and the rodents take over... I know you�re being hyperbolic, snakes are the balance. Sure, it is a common sentiment and they startle with the way they move. On the whole, I think they are cool creatures!

That's the only snake that really scares me.........

Please.... I have little grand babies running around... I can buy rat traps for out of the way spots.. they mostly eat aquatic anyway... fish, frogs and the like.. one day when you're older with kids or grandkids you always protect them, ( from themselves )

40 years ago I had a old Skeeter with front stick steering and a storm came up on Cedar Creek. I went to the Very back of the cove I was in to get out of wind and rain. I pulled up next to a grassy bank and when I did a 3ft Cotton Mouth ( not water snake ) jumped from the grass and flew right by me into the boat. The Snake got to back on the boat and turned and started back to the front where I was in shock. I reached for a metal paddle in the boat and Beat the Snake to Death. The Funny part while killing the Snake I cut every wire and cable in the bottom of the boat. The Boat was never the same.

I (Thought) i killed a large cotten mouth while at my place on fork last weekend cleaning up getting ready for the spring. Put the (i thought) dead snake in the fish net to take over to show my buddie at his place. As i tried to scare him with it and it began to smell i just threw the net (with the dead snake) in the lake. 10 min later it swam away......I hate snakes.