Copperhead capture/relocation

natsamjosh · 06-04-12, 10:54 AM

A friend down the street called me last night to tell me their was a copperhead on his neighbor's lawn. (I'm the "snake guy" in my neighborhood.) I went down the street to find about 5 families standing in the street, looking at the snake. It actually was a copperhead, and a really nice one at that. Anyway, long story short, after a few minutes I was able get the snake into a styrofoam cooler. Copperheads are easy to catch, since they tend to freeze when scared, but at the same time are very reluctant to strike/bite unless you really annoy them. That also makes them great photography subjects!

bushsnake · 06-04-12, 11:03 AM

im glad the snake wasnt killed cuz i would imajine most people would have

BarelyBreathing · 06-04-12, 11:05 AM

Pretty snake, that's for sure.

Kettennatter · 06-04-12, 11:10 AM

I'm glad the snake is alive, and it's a pretty example for sure. Just out of curiosity: How did you get it into the cooler?

natsamjosh · 06-04-12, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

I'm glad the snake is alive, and it's a pretty example for sure. Just out of curiosity: How did you get it into the cooler?

I'm impressed with my neighbors. Some were scared, while others were genuinely interested, but none wanted to kill the snake.

I used my ad-hoc "snake tools" (a leaf rake and the top half of a surf fishing rod) to coax the snake into the cooler, which I laid on its side. I really need to order that snake hook!

Kettennatter · 06-04-12, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natsamjosh

I'm impressed with my neighbors. Some were scared, while others were genuinely interested, but none wanted to kill the snake.

Indeed, I know of somebody who (unsuccessfully) tried to run over a copperhead with a lawnmower.

Quote:

I used my ad-hoc "snake tools" (a leaf rake and the top half of a surf fishing rod) to coax the snake into the cooler, which I laid on its side. I really need to order that snake hook!

I have to admit: I would have loved to have seen that.

natsamjosh · 06-04-12, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

I have to admit: I would have loved to have seen that.

My son just told me someone took a video of me catching the snake. I'll try to get a hold of it, and if it's not too embarrassing, I might post it.

BlindOne · 06-04-12, 11:15 AM

nice looking copper, glad you were able to relocate the poor guy

Frozenflame · 06-04-12, 11:40 AM

glad you came to the rescue, what a beautiful snake...

i used to live in "belize" central America and people there are very ignorant to snakes, they will kill even the smallest non-venomous garden snake, so i showed some of the neighbor kids how harmless they could be and since then they would call me up when there was a snake around the property lol

natsamjosh · 06-04-12, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozenflame

glad you came to the rescue, what a beautiful snake...

i used to live in "belize" central America and people there are very ignorant to snakes, they will kill even the smallest non-venomous garden snake, so i showed some of the neighbor kids how harmless they could be and since then they would call me up when there was a snake around the property lol

Thanks. There is still plenty of ignorance around. I try to do my small part to educate those who at least have an open mind. I think it's an important part of the hobby given the silly fear that many people have of snakes.

alessia55 · 06-04-12, 10:35 PM

Gorgeous. Glad you got to relocate it to a safe place

bigdog2003 · 06-07-12, 11:48 AM

I was at a big boy scout camping trip 2 years ago and about 10 pm the first night a group came running up to get me. There was a copperhead in their tent. I didn't have a hook or anything, but I had to get the snake out so they wouldn't kill it. I got a stick and a small shovel and headed to their tent. I said I needed something to put the snake in, they handed me a cooking pot with a lid. Caught the snake, took it way off, and released it.

natsamjosh · 06-07-12, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog2003

I was at a big boy scout camping trip 2 years ago and about 10 pm the first night a group came running up to get me. There was a copperhead in their tent. I didn't have a hook or anything, but I had to get the snake out so they wouldn't kill it. I got a stick and a small shovel and headed to their tent. I said I needed something to put the snake in, they handed me a cooking pot with a lid. Caught the snake, took it way off, and released it.

Just curious, how did the snake react? I've captured three copperheads so far, and none of them struck, even the two I grabbed with some long tongs.

bigdog2003 · 06-07-12, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natsamjosh

Just curious, how did the snake react? I've captured three copperheads so far, and none of them struck, even the two I grabbed with some long tongs.

Very calm, I went into the tent, which was really small, and everybody was standing outside saying how dumb I was and how they should just kill it. I used the stick with some branches on it, to gently lift the snake and into the pot.

I have dealt with about 5 copperheads now, and they seem really calm. I have heard of people getting bitten, it happend at a summer camp I went to, but I haven't had any strike at me ever.

jaleely · 06-07-12, 09:08 PM

i wanna see a video! He's so cute.