Rattlesnake vs. Cottonmouth

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20 May 2013, 01:16

JBrown

I'm not a snake guy so I am speaking from a position of ignorance... But I am wondering if you guys think that was staged.

Jason

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20 May 2013, 10:44

N E 450 No2

Well first of all, that was a big Cottonmouth, and it was a small young Rattlesnake.

Still those of us that know both snakes well, do believe, that a cottonmouth is by far the more aggressive snake when it comes to humans.

I have shot a bunch of both kinds of snakes, and even a fair amount of Copperheads.

I have shot a boomsling [sp], I have stepped on 2 Cobras, and killed a Black Momba with a pocket knife.

No snake I have personally encountered, has been as aggressive as the Cottonmouth, IMHO...

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21 May 2013, 04:36

fla3006

Pretty sure that was staged, unlikely that a cameraman happened upon such an encounter in the wild. Probably by someone who collects snakes.
And yes, that is a damn big moccasin, and a small rattler. Moccasins are spooky. I nearly stepped on one about that size when I was a kid walking near a ditch. Had my trusty LC Smith though. A friend was bitten on the hand by one, had all kinds of problems recovering, necrosis, infection, etc, lost alot of tissue.

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21 May 2013, 22:39

PSmith

quote:

No snake I have personally encountered, has been as aggressive as the Cottonmouth, IMHO...

Agree 100%!

21 May 2013, 22:59

swifter220

Growing up in west Texas, NW of Abilene, I had a lot of encounters with Rattlebugs. All the years I hunted in old Mexico, I only saw three rattlebugs down there. Just the size of those would give a tough man the drizzles. Don't like them.

Have had a couple encounters with Moccasins. Like them even less as they are overly aggressive. Had one fall in the boat once when I bumped a tree. Broke two rods trying to keep it off my son. I have come to an understanding with all the snakes around where I live now, If they don't let me see them, I won't kill them.

By God, Woodrow; it's been one hell of a party.

25 May 2013, 04:13

swampshooter

Walking around a pond in Southern Illinois when I was a kid a cottonmouth came 10 feet out of his way to attack me. There was a creek full of water 3 feet on the other side of him so he wasn't trying to escape. If my friend hadn't yelled at me I would have been bit. I've been struck by a diamondback also but he didn't come out of his way to do it. I was lucky that time also. One fang hit my sole and the other went under my little toe. The venom burned like fire but there was no penetration. I'll give my vote to the cottonmouth due to his aggressive nature.

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31 May 2013, 23:59

daniel77

I unfortunately live right smack in the heart of Cottonmouth promised land, South Louisiana. They are indeed a highly aggressive snake, and the only species which I kill anytime, anyplace, anywhere. My oldest son, who is now 7, has had 3 close calls with them.
I've not dealt with a ton of rattlesnakes, but have been on a boyscout hike where 3 or 4 boys stepped right over a young rattlesnake who just waited patiently. We went around him and he went his own way. I have no doubt that had that snake been a cottonmouth, someone would have been bitten.

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25 June 2013, 19:07

D Humbarger

I would have liked to see a match between two evenly sized snakes though. Cottonmouth would probably still come out the winner though because their so damn aggressive or which ever got in the first strike. Flies are always swarming around those stinky cottonmouths. Daniel where do you live? I'm in Jennings.

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