I finally got bitten

[mikecat adjuster]

Well, kinda. My camera was bitten by a rather large Cottonmouth (water moccasin). This short video demonstrates the array of defensive measures taken by this pit viper.

In my other snake videos I've talked about how a moccasin will display its cotton-mouth, rattle its tail, emit musk and finally strike as modes of defense. All were captured on film, although you'll have to trust me on the smell.

The vibrating of its tail is quite interesting, as many of you may have never seen this or even known it to occur. You will be able to hear the tail vibrate and see it make designs in the sand. You'll also see the snake's mouth wide open and yes, you'll see it strike and hit my camera. POW! It was a sudden and forceful hit.

I encountered the specimen along a road on St. Vincent Island (NWR) National Wildlife Refuge. My two day excursion there was a fascinating one, but I'm not sure if I captured the amazing adventure on film very well.

The rich array of foliage there and the abundant wildlife made for an exciting two days. The spectacle of finding Indian artifacts, deer antler, various bones (including that of a dolphin), china and old glassware... and more, made for a great two days.

Perhaps I'll be able to come up with a video from my journey, but for now, I hope you'll enjoy this tutorial of Cottonmouth Defense mechanisms.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI5PSaVne7A&feature=channel_page"]YouTube - Cottonmouth Strike[/ame]

 

[DuneAHH]

You're crazy MF!!!

Very impressive video... Thanks for sharing.

 

[seagrovegirl]

I couldn't watch the whole video.....eebie jeebies!!!!!!! So glad it didn't get you in the face. That is ONE very NASTY snake!!!!!!!!!! As a kid I was chased out of Oyster Lake by one of those...........still having nightmares.

 

[mikecat adjuster]

I couldn't watch the whole video.....eebie jeebies!!!!!!! So glad it didn't get you in the face. That is ONE very NASTY snake!!!!!!!!!! As a kid I was chased out of Oyster Lake by one of those...........still having nightmares.

You should have watched the footage of it shaking its tail. I wouldn't have thought the sound would be audible there in the sand, but it clearly was. It is a spectacle to see that defense mechanism occur in dry leaves when it sounds like a rattler.

That was a healthy specimen, as are all the snakes there on St. Vincnet island, I'm sure. The abundance of beach mice, a great source of food, was evident all over the island. They were everywhere, only being out numbered by the mosquitos :angry:

 

[sunspotbaby]

Great video Mike. I have to agree with DuneAhh though.

 

[Lynnie]

Yikes!! You're worrying me!!

Be careful there, Evil Knevil, risk-taker~~~~

 

[lerxst]

i'd prefer to see pictures of indian artifacts please, if they dont bite...

 

[mikecat adjuster]

i'd prefer to see pictures of indian artifacts please, if they dont bite...

I finally put that video together. It's of my St. Vincent Island hike. I was only able to explore areas on its western end, but I was able to uncover some pretty neat stuff.

I have a pic of a piece of Indian Pottery in the video, along with some other interesting finds. I hope you get a chance to check it out and hope you enjoy what I put together.

 

[Hop]

i hope you have that camera on a 10 ft boom......thanks for another one!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I agree with dun-ahh. you are one crazy mf. I'm not surprised your camera was struck by the cottonmouth. I was walking beside a fellow employee at a Wildlife Refuge in the corner of a field near a creek and I saw a cottonmouth chase this guy about 20ft, after he jumped backwards five feet. I've nearly stepped on plenty of snakes, usually in the yard, and fortunately, most are non-poisonous. I think both the snakes and I are about equally scared of each other when we catch each other off-guard.