Rattlesnakes in MO

Prefect · Aug 17, 2004

I just bought a piece of property a few miles outside of St. Louis. I have been preparing to build a new house out there and have been doing some clearing. Most of the property is on a considerable hillside. I have seen and dispatched a few copperheads there (they really like wood piles). I saw a very small snake that had been run over on the road in front of my place while I was clearing. I couldn't identify it immediately as it was very very young (about 6"). I would have sworn that it was a timber rattler. I later found out from one of my neighbors that according to the DNR the area I'm getting ready to build in has the highest concentration of timber rattlesnakes in the state. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I haven't seen any mature ones yet, but I'm sure I will. I have no real fear of snakes, but the problem I have is that neither do the kids. They are pretty educated on snakes, I make sure of that, but I still worry about them.

My neighbor showed me a stack of rattles he took off of one he "accidentally" ran over a few times in his "driveway". He said this thing was huge and judging from that stack, I believe him.

The good news is, I have seen some of the biggest deer on my property that I have seen in a long time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MODiesel · Aug 17, 2004

Yep, we've got timber rattlers here. Actually, though we only have 5 venomous snakes in MO, three of them are rattlers. Here's a little summary from the Conservation department.

As for "near" St. Louis, I'm out West/Southwest, and while we've got a decent population of Copperheads and Black snakes, I haven't run up upon a rattler in a number of years. I'm sure they're out there, but I'm glad I haven't encountered too many. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Regards,
Jay

Phred · Aug 17, 2004

I am just south of you guys in NW arkansas.

Tons of snakes; king snakes, copper heads, black snakes, ....
But I have never seen a rattle snake. I am told the are here in abundance but I have never seen a single one.

I think snakes are a plus as long as they are not in the house, since they eat their weight in mice, and the mice can be very destructive.

Fred

SPIKER · Aug 17, 2004

hehehe ya, we got snakes in Ohio too, not many of them that bad, some copperheads and a few black snakes, & blue racers. but mostly what we see are common gardner snakes, I ran across a few in the last 3 or 4 days, out sunning them selves. usually they almost get stepped on, I got either ONE that gets around a lot or a bunch of them that are about 20" long. saw one where I park the back hoe, 2 or 3 times, and today one just like it up on the front steps! also a few back in the woods in the burn pile area (saw 3 or 4 under an old sheet/hunk of plywood. when I lifted it up, I saw em and just set it back down, over em, figured they eat tons of buggs, and that seems to be the thing that grows the fastest! lol.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Panache · Aug 18, 2004

Make friends with your king snakes. They think rattler is a delicacy and are imune to a rattler bite.

MossRoad · Aug 18, 2004

It's good to be King. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Prefect · Aug 18, 2004

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I think snakes are a plus as long as they are not in the house, since they eat their weight in mice, and the mice can be very destructive.)</font>

I agree with you totally, HOWEVER, there are exceptions. One being that I have children. They know sankes, but they are also always in the woods. I'm just afraid that one of them will inadvertantly step on one or something like that. Timber Rattlers are a fairly shy and reclusive snake, so most bites come from people stepping on them (from what I hear) because they are so well camoflauged. So, I figure that if I reduce their population in my yard, they can't reduce mine (or even try). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

slapshot · Aug 18, 2004

Your best bet is to landscape and maintain in such away that will cause the snakes (and their food - mice, etc.) to look else where. Keep weeds & brush low, dont leave board or anything that they can hide under easily. etc.
In addition most normal household activity will drive them away as well. The woods are a peaceful place until you drop a house into it. Now theres dogs, lawn mowers, radios, swimming pool pumps, garage doors openers and on on. Most snakes will go out of there way to avoid this.
I am building north of St. Louis (near Troy) this is a concern of mine as well. I have two kids (18months & 4yrs), but I know this is a risk that can easily be managed and minimized.

BillyP · Aug 18, 2004

I'd worry more about the Copperheads than the Rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes will give a warning or crawl off but a Copperhead will just lay there until you step on it.