Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Wanted to post this since it's the exact opposite of a lot of posts here - ie, someone posting a picture of a completely harmless snake he/she butchered.

Thanks to a reasonable lady who refused to kill this Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) after he took up residence in her flower bed, this story ended up with a good ending. Many people in the neighborhood wanted her to kill it, even though it was not in a area where anyone except the homeowner went near. But a good friend of mine (who lives next door) told her I might be able to help, so she called me to remove the snake. Without too much trouble, I was able to capture him. And even better, I was able to get some decent pictures without getting too close for comfort.

What a gorgeous snake! He is now living happily (I hope) out
in the woods where I released him.

EXCELLENT!,......I enjoy hearing stories that don't involve a shovel!......that homeowner should also be commended as well for not having it killed.

~Doug

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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

yeah, that rocks the socks!

Great "Thumbs-Up" pic also Doug. That's hardcore.
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The Reticulated Rattler

1.0.0 Great Plains Ratsnake
1.0.0 Corn, Lavender Aztec het for Amel
0.1.0 Black Ratsnake
0.0.1 Texas Rat (tame)
1.0.0 Broad Banded Water Snake, Hypo
1.0.0 Black Bassador Retriever
2.1.0 Godchildren, 1 Evil, 2 possible hets

Good job. I actually did the same thing yesterday with a medium sized copperhead. Didn't have a snake hook so I used a crowbar and a trash can. Pretty exciting catching a venomous snake I have to admit...

I've found that a long pair of BBG tongs will work for wild hots. Make sure you use the tongs made from pencil-thick wire bent into triangular loops at the end rather than the flat ones. The flat ones are somewhat sharp and can injure the serpent.
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1.0.0 Great Plains Ratsnake
1.0.0 Corn, Lavender Aztec het for Amel
0.1.0 Black Ratsnake
0.0.1 Texas Rat (tame)
1.0.0 Broad Banded Water Snake, Hypo
1.0.0 Black Bassador Retriever
2.1.0 Godchildren, 1 Evil, 2 possible hets

Do those work on the venomous retics? Or do you use something bigger...like a forklift?
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

For the venomous retic (atrox reticulatus) you want to use a giant pair of chop sticks held by at least three individuals. But be careful, even if it can't bite you, it can still reticulate you
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1.0.0 Great Plains Ratsnake
1.0.0 Corn, Lavender Aztec het for Amel
0.1.0 Black Ratsnake
0.0.1 Texas Rat (tame)
1.0.0 Broad Banded Water Snake, Hypo
1.0.0 Black Bassador Retriever
2.1.0 Godchildren, 1 Evil, 2 possible hets

That is a beautiful snake. I think I would have had to change my drawers if I saw it, but I would"nt have killed it. But I'd give up gardening for a while.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

2.1 chocolate labs and bassett (Harley, Barker and Capone)
1.0 leopard gecko (Nacho)

Thanks for sharing a story with a happy ending!! Copperheads are Cool!! Jeff

Nice photos. Love to hear stories that end like that. I have caught hundreds of copperheads and think they are one of the most beautiful wild creatures in north america.

That is one beautiful snake and deserves the right to live a full life. Well done to both of you for ensuring the snake gets that chance. I just hope the lady's garden doesn't become over-run with vermin now.
Graham.
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30 Snakes :
Corns, Milks, Kings, American Rats, Asian Rats, Leopard Rat, Royal, Boa, Diadems
www.ratsnakefoundation.org

Glad to see a good deed...Gosh those Copperheads are beautiful I wish we had them here in Central Florida.

I actually leave a flyer around my town with my number requesting people to call me if they find a snake so I can come and relocate it so it wont get killed...In the past two weeks I picked up a juvenile corn snake and today a juvenile pygmy rattlesnake that was no bigger than a half dollar when it was coiled up...My number is starting to get around and Im really glad some of these little guys are getting saved rather than killed.