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Originally Posted by ploddinTod
Ed, Tell us a little more about your mishap with the copperhead so that others may beware. I've heard that they like fallen magnolia leaves to crawl around in. Of course, their coloration gives them a distinct advantage in blending in with their surroundings.
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Actually, they go where the food is, regardless of it being magnolia leaves, oak leaves, or pine needles. I've seen several dozen in my lifetime and in varried environments. Even saw one swim across a small stream and most of the books will tell you they avoid water. A common phrase in medicine applies to zoology: Life rarely reads the book.
As far as my mishap, it was my own fault. I was on property we owned up near Ren Fair (near Navasota). We typically saw 2-3 copperheads on the property per year so I should have been more careful. I was walking barefoot (mistake #1) and wasn't watching where I was walking (mistake #2) and I stepped on the copperhead's tail. It expressed its displeasure by biting me about 1/3 of the way up my calf. We placed a tourniquet on my leg then I was taken to a hospital in Tomball where they cut the wound, flushed it and gave me a shot of antivenin. Most of the hospital stay (1/2 day) is blurry as is the next 24-36 hours. I'm not sure if that is due to the stress, the venom, or the antivenin.
Dispite my accident, I still think the copperhead is the prettiest of the snakes we have in these parts.
Advice regarding snakes - 1) never put your feet our your hands anywhere you can't see. The applies to your own woodpile, even if you live in the city. Copperheads and Coral Snakes have been found in Memorial Park so, just because you're in the city, don't assume there are no snakes. 2) be very careful when walking where there is a thick layer of leaves or pine needles. Often snakes will travel through, rather than over, such piles. 3) If you get bit, tourniquet the limb above the bite and get medical attention quickly. Most of our Texas snakes can't kill an adult but the venom can cause quite a bit of necrosis (dead flesh).
Anyone else get got besides me? I've also been the recipient of a scorpion sting (at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, while in basic) and a Brown Recluse bite (in Florida). I guess I've got a knack for angering venomous critters. No Killer Bees or Jellyfish yet though (knock wood).