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Extreme Veteran
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Location: CA | This is weird. A friend and I were camping and riding in the redwoods in San Mateo County (by San Francisco). The common wildlife we see includes banana slugs, coyotes, deer, bobcats, quail. As we rode down one trail I saw a green snake and stopped my horse (as usual) to check it out. I like snakes. I know lots of different types, but this guy was GREEN. I remembered a post recently about green rattlesnakes, so I waited for him to fully cross the trail and sure enough, he had rattles! He even rattled for us in case we were doubting Thomas's. He's supposed to be in the desert, not the redwoods! Anybody know enough about these critters to explain why he was in the damp, dark woods? |
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Regular
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| Those are the deadliest of the deadliest My only guess would be that it hitched a ride under someone's vehicle/trailer or equipment. Hopefully not someone's sleeping bag |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | Yeah, I'm sure glad I saw it before it saw us! One idea the Ranger had is that somebody had it as a "pet" and set it loose. Since it's not native, he'll "eliminate" it if he ever finds it. I sure hope it doesn't bite anyone (or horse). The only reason I kept a large distance from it was because I had read recently on this site about the Green Mojave rattlesnake. I LOVE this site. Thanks! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: high desert, CA. |
Edited by siseley 2007-07-22 12:05 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | Sisely - Yeah, my sentiments exactly! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: high desert, CA. | http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/siseley/?action=view¤t=coiled-rattlesnake.jpg Yep this is the bad boy... Crotalus Scutalatus, the Mojave Green Rattler. Nasty disposition, and VERY dangerous. |
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New User
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Location: EL Paso, Texas | I was just out hiking with my son (we live in EL Paso, Texas), and we ran into a green rattlesnake...I love snakes and have studied them in the past, but have never heard of a green rattlesnake, so I did a little online search and found this forum, but what we saw was not a Mojave Green..this one was almost bright green with black rattle about 2 feet long with the rough scales typical of rattlers....and we aren't even in the Mojave desert...were in the Chihuahuan Desert....looks like I need to do a little research. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN | Originally written by gemm on 2007-07-19 3:36 PM Yeah, I'm sure glad I saw it before it saw us! One idea the Ranger had is that somebody had it as a "pet" and set it loose. Since it's not native, he'll "eliminate" it if he ever finds it. I sure hope it doesn't bite anyone (or horse). The only reason I kept a large distance from it was because I had read recently on this site about the Green Mojave rattlesnake. I LOVE this site. Thanks! I agree 100% with you Gemm, this site has given me lots of great information. I now carry a small section of garden hose and some vaseline in my saddle bags just in case of a snake bite. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences & knowledge with us. Happy Trails! JacciB |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | Slacker - The one we saw was a brighter green than any of the photos I've found. It's the only rattler that's listed as green though, so maybe it gets brighter depending on where it's located, age, or? It was definitely green however...And it was definitely a rattler! I would describe it as olive green I guess. Let me know if you find out any more about it, other than it's the most poisonous of the rattlers - as if that isn't enough! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | JacciB - The funny thing is that I used to carry the flexible hose with me all the time when I lived in So. Calif, but since I'm now up in the damp redwoods I quit carrying one. Guess I need to get a new one. I swear, it was so odd to see a rattler in the same area as banana slugs and mushrooms! If you've never seen a banana slug, look them up. They're cute, slimy critters, and harmless too. |
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Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY) | It may have just shed it's skin. GLOBAL WARMING |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | So, do the Mojave Greens look brighter when they've recently shed? Or do regular rattlers look green when they shed? Fill me in a bit more about shedding. |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| I don't know about the Mojave rattler,but all the rattlesnakes and other snakes here in Arkansas are their natural color when they shed,meaning a copperhead looks like a copperhead,only sometimes just a little brighter in color when young. We have a real nasty disposition snake here that probably keeps the Mojaves out,ha ha! It's called a cottonmouth. |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| I also believe that both the timber and diamondback rattler are considered an aggressive snake.The diamondback being the more aggressive of the two. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | I've heard of the Cottonmouth. I'm sure glad we don't have them to worry about around here....Or, do we? We're not supposed to have the Green Mojave either! If I understand you correctly, I could have seen a Green Mojave who recently shed and that's why he was so bright? I'm going to the same horse camp in September, so I'll have a chance to talk to the Ranger and see if anyone else reported this green guy. |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| Cottonmouth snakes are mainly found in the southern portions altho they are native to all North America.They prefer brackish water.We have them in abundance here due to all the rice fields holding water most of the summer,an ideal environment.They are aggressive and can deliver a fairly potent bite.They will "flash" the inside of their mouth which has a cottonlike appearance to warn.Hence their names. I looked at a couple of snake sites,and the Mojave Rattlesnake is quiet striking in color and appearance. |
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.jpg) Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | We always called them water moccisins. When I was a kid, my cousin and I rode down to the guadalupe river that ran along the edge of the ranch to have a picnic. I guess the snake decided we were in his spot because he chased us out and followed us for a bit. Quite unnerving. We ended up having to lead our horses out of there becuase everytime we tried to stop and tighten our cinches the stupid snake came at us. |
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Location: Florence, SC | I hear them called water moccasins more often than cotton mouths around here too. I've heard stories of them chasing people who've disturbed them too. One guy said they were throwing rocks in the river, picked up a large one and there the snake was. The guy says the snake chased them some 50+ yards. Apparently it didn't appreciate it's nap being interrupted. |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| That was a cottonmouth/AKA "water moccasin."They are notorious for following farmers walking in a flooded rice field. Water moccasin is a slang term for a cottonmouth snake.
Edited by crowleysridgegirl 2007-08-22 8:33 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 792
Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth | Originally written by gemm on 2007-08-02 3:43 PM JacciB - The funny thing is that I used to carry the flexible hose with me all the time when I lived in So. Calif /QUOTE]Okay....you guys are scaring me!  Why the garden hose and vaseline? Raven (moving to CA....soon ) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | I'm glad we only have one poisonous snake........They say it's shy! Hopefully it'll slither away if my horse and I come into an inhabited area. I feel for you guys in high rattesnake areas. I'm NOT a snake fan but they do serve a purpose. http://www.geocities.com/shavano08/mi.html
Edited by Gone 2007-08-23 6:42 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN | ICEPony: The garden hose and vaseline are in case your horse gets a snake bite on the nose. Coat the outside of the hose with vaseline to make it easier to slide in your hose's nose---the hose will allow your horse to be able to pass air through his nose even if it swells from the bite. I would never have known this without this website. JacciB |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | How long should the hose be? What do you do after this? I never knew this either........Should you give an anti inflammatory? What about other areas that may be bit? How does a bite affect a horse?.............
Edited by Gone 2007-08-23 9:20 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | Found my answers....I'm definately going to remember this. http://www.horses-and-horse-information.com/articles/0100reptilian.shtml |
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green rattlesnake
