Would You Believe A Western Cottonmouth?

I know, I know. You probably aren’t going to believe this but…..

The doorbell rings at 10pm. It’s my neighbors young children asking if I can quickly come over because there is a snake in the backyard and the dogs are barking at it.

I grab my trusty snake tongs that I bought last year from Midwest Tongs.

Snake Tongs

As I enter my neighbors house I ask what is happening. They tell me the dogs have been barking at this snake. Then I hear, “oh, it got him.”

I figured I better hurry and get outside. Now to put you in the scene, I’m wearing shorts, tennis shoes with no socks, a white shirt, and I’m carrying snake tongs.

I see the one dog pawing at it’s nose. Not good, must have gotten bit. I can’t even see the snake. Everyone was too excited to tell me how small or large the snake was and it’s dark outside. I swinging my flashlight from left to right, looking for some kind of snake, which at this point is all I know. I take a couple more tiny steps and see this small brown thing in deep wet grass. That’s him!

Bam! I grab him with the snake tongs and lift it to the porch where I can see it better. Broad Banded Water Snake (like the other day), nope. Rattlesnake, uh not sure, no rattle, but coloration’s look similar. Viper type head. Check. Okay, I don’t know what kind it is. In the interest of safety (kids, dogs..even me), I decide this snake is too risky too release. Leecy grabs the shovel and gives it a hair cut and places it in a box.

Now open the books on snakebites in dogs. Number one suggestion, take the dog to the vet. Also look for drooling, restlessness, diarrhea, swelling, and dilated pupils. The dog looks fine, not excessively panting, pupils are fine, no problem in gait. The mother asks if she can wait until morning. We say it’s up to her, but watch the dog for symptoms over the next few hours.

We tell her we will go home to check our snake books and find out what kind of snake.

After review the different snake books, we guess that this is a Western Cottonmouth, but please correct me if I am wrong.

Oh, and for all you people asking why I have snake tongs, it’s because snakes scare me, but I can certainly appreciate them. I also thought the only way I can safely catch them is with these tongs. Sticks don’t work, and shovels don’t either for you snake killers.

So, without further delay, here are the pictures. Is this a Western Cottonmouth?

Western Cottonmouth Striking

Western Cottonmouth Trying To Get Away

Western Cottonmouth Wrapping Around Snake Tongs

Butterfly And Wildlife Gardening And Photography

Would You Believe A Western Cottonmouth?

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