Re: [Leica] Re:rattlesnakes

[Jeffcoat Photography <jeffcoatphoto@sumter.net>]

Roland: I would think not. Rattlers and Cotton Mouths strike very very hard and
rattle snakes are the #1 killer of man/woman/child/ of all snakes in the US.
When in the southern woods I always carry a snake bite kit and wear protective
boots. Cooper heads are also a problem around crop fields where they feed on
mice. Lots of children are bitten every year who play in these rural areas.
Although most snakes are shorter and hit in the foot, ankle, calf area you need
to keep your eyes open in hilly area as a snake on a bank can hit you above the
knee. We had a friend in camp the other yr who found a cooper head under some
rocks he was sitting on, he remove the aggressors head and in the act of burring
it scratched his hand on a fang-he got very very very sick. Snakes (pit vipers)
are nothing to be taken lightly.

Cheers Wilber GFE
tel. 803-469-2440

http://www.jeffcoatphotography.com


Roland Smith wrote:

> Hello Thomas:
>
> I am curious about your statement that most snake bites don't result in the
> transfer of venom.   Is this a reliable fact?  Is this related to all
> rattlesnakes?
>
> Roland Smith
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Thomas Herbert <iphoto@elp.rr.com>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 2:13 PM
> Subject: [Leica] Re:rattlesnakes
>
> > After having photographed these snakes for years I will give you what I
> > know.
> >
> > These snakes will always try to avoid you whenever possible, but if
> cornered
> > will strike.
> >
> > A 200 or 300 mm lens is good, I use an extension tube to increase my
> ability
> > to focus close-up.
> >
> > A gun will do you no good until after the fact (if you are bitten). If you
> > are not a snake expert then actually killing and taking the snake with you
> > to the hospital will help identify the proper species and thus the correct
> > anti-venom.
> >
> > Many people are very allergic to the anti-venom which is made from horse
> > serum, so they will test you for allergy before giving you any if you are
> > bitten. If you are allergic then you have a problem. Although most snake
> > bites don't result in the transfer of venom you can still get an infection
> > from the puncture wounds.
> >
> > Maintaining at least five feet from the snake will probably keep you safe.
> > Snakes can typically strike to a distance of half the length of their body
> > and I haven't seen many rattlers over five feet long.
> >
> > Have a safety person with you with a long stick to control or handle
> snakes
> > that get to close.
> >
> > That's it
> >
> > Thomas Herbert, Photojournalist
> > (915) 546-2342
> > (915) 485-3018 pager
> > (559) 677-8961 fax
> > iphoto@elp.rr.com
> >
> >
> >

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