Video Taken from Pa-Hay-Okee Trail in the Everglades of an Eastern Garter Snake
Snakes in the Everglades are different: they are small, quick, and easily camouflaged. These abilities give snakes an advantage when humans are walking by, and if provoked, they will attack. Snake attacks are very rare in the Everglades, but it is much easier for them to attack causing quick, deadly wounds. Of the 23 species of snakes in the Everglades, only four are venomous including the coral snake, the cottonmouth, the pigmy rattlesnake, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. There has only been five noted attacks in the past ten years and scientist say these attacks were only provoked by unnatural feeding behaviors of the snakes. So who is really most dangerous in the Everglades, alligators or snakes? I believe it is the snake considering some can easily consume alligators, hide easily, and strike extremely quickly. Let me know what you think, was the advice given to us at The Farmer's Market accurate?
Yes you posted a video! Good find! I think I may have gotten a picture of the same snake, but not as good as your video.
ReplyDeleteI also recently found out they do snake hunts down here... where you get prizes for catching the largest snake, like pythons (which are invasive). In January, somebody caught one that was 95 POUNDS!
I couldn't believe it when that waitress told us that either! But after reading your article it makes sense, either species is dangerous when you get close. The snakes are just better at staying hidden from our view.
ReplyDeleteSnake hunts sound interesting, and that just adds to my argument that snakes are more dangerous. When hunted, they are provoked to attack a human and I'm sure many of the hunters have un-documented snake bites trying to capture them. I can't believe someone got a 95 pound snake - i would run away so fast at first sight of that.
ReplyDeleteComparing a snake to an alligator was a great idea! Both of these reptiles are huge predators in the wild, and I was shocked to hear that there haven't been any alligator attacks in the Everglades. It's a great idea to keep the Everglades this way so that tourists can continue seeing and maybe even helping to preserve the area without worrying about being attacked by an alligator. Snakes on the other hand, are always going to be sneaky and scary when venomous.
ReplyDeleteI found it really interesting that you noticed that comment the waitress made. I almost shook off her comment because I thought she was joking around. Alligators are so strong and powerful whereas snakes are so small and scared. However, after reading the research you looked up I agree that snakes could very well be more necessary to watch out for. They can be just as deadly if not more deadly than alligators, especially venomous ones! I thought your blog post was very well thought out and proven.
ReplyDeleteHer advice really makes sense when you look at how small some snake species can be. In a pile of sticks, a poisonous brown colored snake could easily get stepped on and lash out at your foot. And with a snake bite, you likely have no idea what species it might be, meaning a possible trip to off to the hospital. Where as the only alligators you'll see will probably be laying out in the open sun, far away from the underside of your boot.
ReplyDeleteSo far on week 2 we have seen two alligators and no snakes :(. From what I've seen, alligators do seem a little more relaxed when left alone. Snakes on the other hand are sneaky and could attack at any point. I think that advice is good enough to follow!
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