|
 |
I was all liquored up and I decided I'd like to hang a Coral Snake from my nose. |
 |
DESCRIPTION: Of course, I wasn't drunk. I am very careful. Plus, this specimen was dead.
If you need snake removal in your town, click for the National Directory of
Snake Removal Companies that I've carefully compiled in every USA city.
Here's an email that I got from a concerned reader regarding this photo:
Reader: really??? nothing like giving children a really bad idea. not very professional. venomous snakes are to be respected. think of the harm you could do when the media plays off your potential story. "drunken snake catcher hospitalized by dangerous coral snake" remember when everyone killed stingrays in the wake of the death of
Steve Irwin? snakes have a hard enough time as it is. i'd suggest you remove that picture.
Me: I'm amazed that it's taken 6 years since posting that photo for
someone to comment on it! It gets viewed several hundred times a
day. But of course, my commentary on it is sarcastic, and I clarify
repeatedly that the snake is dead, and that no one should ever do silly things with a snake
Reader: makes sense if it is dead. still, can give the wrong idea to ignorant folks. i'm a field herper, and the picture ended up on our forum. that's why i sent the email. what do you do with the snakes you find in urban areas? i'm assuming you relocate them. ever do any studies to see if relocated snakes stay where you put them? i'll set everyone straight on the forum. right now, you are being nominated for a darwin award. lol. have a good night.
Me: I relocate all snakes to areas I think they'll stand the best chance
of survival. I do not know if they remain where they are relocated,
or if they move. I confess ignorance about the ranges of various
snake species. Most snakes caught here in Orlando are Black Racers,
which do very well in urban/suburban habitats.
Reader: yea, all you can do is the best you can. if a snake doesn't take well to relocation it's a bummer, but at least it's alive.
The coral snake in Florida in not commonly found. However, there is the scarlet snake and the scarlet king snake that are often confused with the coral snake, so reports of corals to me are high. Some people even confuse Corn Snakes with Corals. The coral snake has nose that is black, as well as bands that are red on their body that touch with bands that are yellow in color. The scarlet snakes have red noses and the red and yellow bands do not touch. Many coral snakes are so incredibly dark that it may be challenging to view any of the red bands on them.
The eyes of this particular reptile are also a unique characteristic amongst north american venomous snakes. The pupils of a coral snake are round as opposed to most USA venomous snakes that have pupils that are vertical and cat like. Of course, if you're close enough to see the eyes of the Coral, you're too close.
Coral snakes are usually shy in their behavior and are often found burrowing underneath flower pots, rotted logs or mulch. Coral snakes will also eat other animals that they find burrowing. However, their mouths are so small that they are unable to bite larger animals.
These reptiles are able to be handled easily with a snake scoop. You are able to construct a snake scoop from home using an old milk jug. Simply clean the jug and cut off the bottom. This allows you to have a handle to easily scoop up the reptile. When attempting to catch a coral snake, you should always wear strong leather gloves, and even then, not handle it by hand.
While a coral snakes first instinct is to run away from humans when confronted, they are able to bite as a last method of defense. The coral snakes have fangs that are short and unable to penetrate through thick clothing such as leather gloves. Coral snakes are able to release a powerful toxin that paralyzes the muscles that cause their prey to breath. Any bites that are obtained from a coral snake needs to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Running a wildlife removal business in the state of Florida gives me the chance to see all kinds of interesting snakes! Florida has about 45 species of snake, and I've seen 29 of them so far. I've always got my eye out for new species, and
I love spotting rare snakes in Florida. I also have a thing for venomous snakes - they're not too common in FL, so I always enjoy the chance to see a poisonous serpent. I really like snakes, and I've never hurt or killed one. They're an
important part of the ecosystem, and often persecuted. Still, if you don't want snakes in your house or on your property, and judging from the number of phone calls I receive regarding snake problems, you don't, then give me or a local snake
expert in your area a call, and we can remove the snakes from your property for you. I use many snake control methods - from snake traps, to snake repellents, to habitat modification, but most of all, good old-fashioned capture and removal.
If you want to learn more, please read my How To Get Rid of Snakes page.
AAAnimal Control is a privately owned wildlife removal and pest control business, located in Orlando Florida. I deal strictly with wild animals including snakes inside houses. I am not an extermination company, but a critter removal
and control specialist. The above photos are some of the many that I've taken in the field over my years of work. Please email me if
you have any questions about the above photographs, or any questions about
wildlife problems or Florida snake removal issues.
You can safely catch snakes with a special trap, which you can order by clicking this banner:
|
| |
|
