Cottonmouthsssssss, the real deal!!!!! (photos by Sam Boatman)

[sohappytobehere]

These cottonmouths (AKA water moccasins) were photographed right here in The Villages. Scroll down to see all 15 photos. While these snakes are venomous, all they want is to be left alone.

[sohappytobehere]

These cottonmouths (AKA water moccasins) were photographed right here in The Villages. Scroll down to see all 15 photos. While these snakes are venomous, all they want is to be left alone.

More photos.....

[sohappytobehere]

More photos.....

And a few more photos.....

[Stu from NYC]

No desire here to even see one in the wild

[Bogie Shooter]

So, where in TV?

[Bitsee]

WOW !!! .... And I mean WOW !!
Great slides , he must of been right over the top of that snake taking those pictures.

[davem4616]

no something I'd want to encounter in the wilds that's for sure

thanks for posting so that we all know what they look like

[Michael G.]

WOW !!! .... And I mean WOW !!
Great slides , he must of been right over the top of that snake taking those pictures.

While these snakes are venomous, all they want is to be left alone.
Hmmmmmm..But being harassed by a photographer is OK??????

[coralway]

how do you know what they want? If I had to guess, I would guess what they want is food. Something, or someone, to attack and swallow. That is what predators usually do.

[alwann]

I'm guessing you used 300mm lens or longer, right?

[Michael G.]

I'm guessing you used 300mm lens or longer, right?

I would insist on a 1000 mm lens ......LOL

[sohappytobehere]

I'm guessing you used 300mm lens or longer, right?

Sam did respond: "300. But the closest Pic you see of the Cottonmouth, I was 5 feet away and on level ground."

[sohappytobehere]

So, where in TV?

Sam's reply: "My camera does not have a GPS (some do). But I can promise you all were taken within The Villages within the last 8 months."🙂

[tophcfa]

I'm guessing you used 300mm lens or longer, right?

9mm snake shot would be a wise choice

[DaleDivine]

9mm snake shot would be a wise choice
That's what I was thinking...
:boom:

[DaleDivine]

So, where in TV?

There are quite a few down in Fenney area around Red and Grey Fox golf courses...
BE CAREFUL looking for your golf ball on these courses...
:pray::pray:

[msilagy]

I stepped smack dab in the middle of a coiled large cottonmouth water moccasin while hiking in Marshall's swamp in Ocala - it felt like hard rubber. He did not strike (thank God) as we were 3 mi from the cars and I might not be here today! He was camouflaged by leaves, I look down 99%, because of stumps and roots, of the time but I must have been on automatic pilot. I was first in the group so I jumped forward after I stepped on it, they all stopped, he reared his head, stayed there a minute or so then slithered away. I know how lucky I was as they can do a lot of nerve damage or if you don't get medical help even death. Sorry to hear they are here in the villages. Take this seriously as a friend in southern Florida was weeding near a canal she lives on and got bit on the elbow. Has lost range of motion in that arm.

[Travelhunter123]

These cottonmouths (AKA water moccasins) were photographed right here in The Villages. Scroll down to see all 15 photos. While these snakes are venomous, all they want is to be left alone.
Great pictures
Thank you

[me4vt]

I spend hours on the water down here in Florida fishing and these are the most Aggressive snake alive in the south…… I’ve had them fall in my boat from trees, I’ve had them escort me out of coves and swim across a canal to get me to move on! They will crawl in you boat under your docks so avoid and keep your eyes open near the water! I’ve hand encounters with them in Ky, Tn, Va, Sc and Ga not just Flordia!!! So Yes, kill everyone you can, Thank You




These cottonmouths (AKA water moccasins) were photographed right here in The Villages. Scroll down to see all 15 photos. While these snakes are venomous, all they want is to be left alone.

[me4vt]

Doesn’t cycle well in semi autos! .357 cci works well ; )

[RICH1]

I had these in my pond when I lived in St Cloud Fl… they were very aggressive..Great pictures & Thank you for sharing your photos..

[Bogie Shooter]

Sam's reply: "My camera does not have a GPS (some do). But I can promise you all were taken within The Villages within the last 8 months."🙂

General area to avoid would have been helpful.

[Fastskiguy]

Just a little fyi, venomous = the snake bites you and you die, poisonous = you bite the snake and you die

Great pictures :)

Joe

[Dlbonivich]

They want to be left alone, if you run into one accidentally they are mean!

[DonH57]

Thanks for the pics. This is the reason I don't search the weeds or brush for a golf ball and don't want my playing partners doing it. I don't want to make a 911 call. They sale plenty in the store!:coolsmiley:

[joelfmi]

Very very professional expert picture

[askcarl]

When trying to shoot a snake, use a .410 or other shotgun. A solid round body shot will go through the snake and **** it off. Will still be able to move and bite. been there, done that.

Of course, if your hand is steady and you make a Head shot. No worries.

[richdell]

Great pictures. :clap2:

[jimh123]

Mouth should be WHITE !

[kathy1516]

Had one swimming in my pool in Sarasota. Also had coral snake in my indoor lanai there. My cats cornered it on the lanai but got them inside quick enough. Pythons are now migrating from south Florida so they’ll be the next predator to avoid.

[jimjamuser]

So, where in TV?
Water moccasins are ALL OVER Fl and the south. I was fishing a few years ago in a Fl lake - the water was pretty clear and I was up to my knees in the water. I looked down and about a 3ft snake was swimming very close to my leg. I noticed that it had a triangular head indicating that it was poisonous. I did not move and the snake swam right by. I never felt threatened because most snakes will only attack when they feel threatened - I just kept fishing.
.....If you are anywhere in Fl, you could find a poisonous snake in your backyard. The only thing that can prevent that is if you have a LARGE black snake around.

[laryb]

2nd or third hole on Sweetgum

[sohappytobehere]

2nd or third hole on Sweetgum


Little hard to tell, but I think that's a well-fed black racer (nonvenomous). Did it have a white chin?

[sohappytobehere]

2nd or third hole on Sweetgum

Here is some info on the black racer.

[laryb]

Little hard to tell, but I think that's a well-fed black racer (nonvenomous). Did it have a white chin?

Didn’t get close enough to see the chin. The other 3 guys with me said it was a water moccasin. If you zoom in. You can see it has the same triangular shaped head as the photos in this thread.

[laryb]

Here is some info on the black racer.Here's a closeup

[mtdjed]

I had a boss in Charleston SC who once ran over a water Moccasin crossing the road on his way home for lunch. As he looked in his rear-view mirror, he never saw the snake and assumed it was under the car waiting for it to stop. He climbed out thru the sunroof and jumped from the hood. He came back to work in his other car and told us about his adventure. One of the locals said. "you northerners don't know nothing. You can't kill a snake running over them crosswise. You got to get them crawling down the road and get them from behind and pop them." Don't believe that to be true but it was hilarious at the time.

[Hifred]

Sam, I always enjoy your phots. I don't think I would want to get that close. :coolsmiley:

[Mac1996]

Great photos!

[merrymini]

There are water moccasins in NJ too. Keep your eyes open when hiking anywhere near water. Black racers are not poisonous and I see them in my garden a great deal. Let them get away and you will be fine.

[CWSBLUE]

While these snakes are venomous, all they want is to be left alone.
Hmmmmmm..But being harassed by a photographer is OK??????
Although I think Sam means well by posting these pictures and trying to help us educate ourselves but he does take great wildlife pictures. But I am also appalled by the way he goes about obtaining these pictures. It's one thing to be a wildlife photographer, but the harassment of these poor creatures has to stop. I was appalled to hear that while taking these pictures Sam was yelling racial slurs at the snake and wearing a MAGA hat. Disgusting Sam. Disgusting.

[fdpaq0580]

Great photos. Venomous. Live in The Villages.
BUT, are they good to eat??? Inquiring minds want to know!

[fdpaq0580]

Although I think Sam means well by posting these pictures and trying to help us educate ourselves but he does take great wildlife pictures. But I am also appalled by the way he goes about obtaining these pictures. It's one thing to be a wildlife photographer, but the harassment of these poor creatures has to stop. I was appalled to hear that while taking these pictures Sam was yelling racial slurs at the snake and wearing a MAGA hat. Disgusting Sam. Disgusting.

Hmmm! Could have sworn I saw the disclaimer saying, " No snakes were harmed, degraded or abused during the taking of these photos". At least I'm pretty sure I saw it.
🙈🙉🙊

[Ropnrose]

And a few more photos.....

Great pics!

[Marcoguy]

More photos.....

If have lived in Florida now for almost 30 years. Yesterday evening there was a gentleman walking through one the retention lakes on the Diablo 9 hole golf course. He was looking for golf balls in the lake for about an hour. Guess he was trying to save money. I was wondering if he knew there were water moccasins all over the Villages? I had also seen one in that particular lake the day before.

I was going to yell out to him to be careful, but he probably wouldn’t have believed me. So I just grabbed my phone in case I had to dial for the EMTs.

Just for general information, there are critters here that can kill you.