On Sun, 1 Jun 2008 23:30:07 EDT, how wrote:

Galen Hekhuis wrote:
On Sat, 31 May 2008 16:42:12 EDT, "JB" wrote:


snipped


It may not be a water moccasin (cottonmouth). In virtually every
local where the cottonmouth is found there is at least one (often
several) types of non-poisonous snakes that look almost identical.
However, unless you are absolutely sure, beyond *any* (not even
reasonable) doubt that what you see is in fact a non-poisonous snake
it is best to treat it as though it is a cottonmouth.

You have basically two choices: either you can call some animal
control type and dump the whole mess on them or you can deal with it
yourself. I don't care what some folks say, some claim that the
snake is just very territorial, I say it is aggressive. Very
aggressive. I've been chased by one, and they are quicker than you
might imagine too.
snipped

Hi,
You were not being chased, just two scared critters going the same
direction. IME with snakes, poisonous ones _tend_ to 'hold their ground'
within their striking range and non-poisonous _tend_ to split. Don't
rely on this as a means of identification. Both the water moccasin and
other non-poisonous similar looking snakes are there for lunch and all
will bite.
http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/ecoview/Eco1.htm says:
/quote
"Will snakes chase people? Many species of snakes, both poisonous and
harmless, will defend themselves or not move out of the way when
approached. But no U.S. snake will chase a person in an effort to hurt
them."
/unquote
HTH -_- how

Generally I'd agree with you. I'm a caver, and have been for over 40
years. As such, I've had many opportunities to crawl in little wet
holes all over the country, places frequented by all kinds of snakes.
I am also a bit of an amateur herpetologist, in that I can identify
positively a great number of reptiles. I have (and use frequently)
several many "nature" and identification guides. I maintain about 25
acres here in northern Florida, and have encountered numerous snakes
while driving my tractor and such. I have encountered several
rattlesnakes on the property. None of these snakes bother me, neither
have I killed or harassed any of them. I'm pretty much a "live and
let live" type of guy. I even have a family of black widow spiders
happily living under my fake rock hiding my air pump.

Have it your way, no snake will "chase" you. Then the cottonmouth is
terribly territorial, and it considers its territory to extend approx
150 feet from wherever it happens to be at the moment, and it will
aggressively defend its territory. This is the only snake in the US
that bothers me at all.
Galen Hekhuis