[sohappytobehere]

When you are out walking the many trails in The Villages, be sure to spend the time to look closely. You wouldn't really want to miss any of our native wildlife!!!! The Cottonmouth Water Moccasin seen here in The Villages today!

[tophcfa]

Nasty venomous snake, be careful.

[Taltarzac725]

I thought that was a natural water way species and not one found in artificially created ones? They were a big threat when we lived a few hundred feet from Tarpon Lake in Palm Harbor. They would show up in pools on occasion especially if there had been a storm.

[RICH1]

That will ruin your summer.... unless of course you are an Attorney, they will leave you alone. Professional courtesy .

[thelegges]

Because of the close up pic, it’s hard to tell where it’s choosing to wait and watch. You posted on walking trail. So sitting off the trail, on the trail or in its more natural surroundings of wet area. Since kids are already visiting, grandparents, maybe a warning of to be aware of ________area where pictures were taken.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Because of the close up pic, it’s hard to tell where it’s choosing to wait and watch. You posted on walking trail. So sitting off the trail, on the trail or in its more natural surroundings of wet area. Since kids are already visiting, grandparents, maybe a warning of to be aware of ________area where pictures were taken.

There are natural water areas in the Southern parts of the Villages . I was visiting with a woman born here in this area a while back and she mentioned that this area was cow pastures and oranges. Think there were watermelon too.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

There are natural water areas in the Southern parts of the Villages . I was visiting with a woman born here in this area a while back and she mentioned that this area was cow pastures and oranges. Think there were watermelon too.

Cattle, and watermelons not much oranges, south of 44 has a large areas of wet/dry prairie, that multitude of predators call home.

Between the 6’s we backed to a pond, our snakes were predominantly racers, along with bears, coyotes, bobcats gators and one panther.

We moved south of 44 two years ago backing to a prairie. A few rattlesnakes have been spotted within the village and two Corals. Someone will always post on neighborhood site, where and when.

After Milton the walking paths that border acres of prairies, between Water Lilly and Magnolia Plaza were flooded. Multiple water moccasins were noted and warnings went out to be aware.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Cattle, and watermelons not much oranges, south of 44 has a large areas of wet/dry prairie, that multitude of predators call home.

Between the 6’s we backed to a pond, our snakes were predominantly racers, along with bears, coyotes, bobcats gators and one panther.

We moved south of 44 two years ago backing to a prairie. A few rattlesnakes have been spotted within the village and two Corals. Someone will always post on neighborhood site, where and when.

After Milton the walking paths that border acres of prairies, between Water Lilly and Magnolia Plaza were flooded. Multiple water moccasins were noted and warnings went out to be aware.

I am glad I do not have to worry about water moccasins here around CR466.

[Sparky99]

Beautiful snake! They are not aggressive unless provoked.

[Road-Runner]

Grew up on a lake in central Georgia, had an interesting run-in with a Cottonmouth at my birthday party where it swam the last 30 yards towards our shore, the whole while kids were throwing rocks at it trying to get it to turn. Never did turn around and got a good 25-30 feet into the yard towards the back patio where all the kids except my older brother had retreated to. He finally nailed it with a brick and it turned around and went back to the water. I was maybe 6 or 7, and can remember that snake to this day!

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Cattle, and watermelons not much oranges, south of 44 has a large areas of wet/dry prairie, that multitude of predators call home.

Between the 6’s we backed to a pond, our snakes were predominantly racers, along with bears, coyotes, bobcats gators and one panther.

We moved south of 44 two years ago backing to a prairie. A few rattlesnakes have been spotted within the village and two Corals. Someone will always post on neighborhood site, where and when.

After Milton the walking paths that border acres of prairies, between Water Lilly and Magnolia Plaza were flooded. Multiple water moccasins were noted and warnings went out to be aware.

My grandparents lived on a 23 acre farm near Binghamton, New York. My grandmother never walked up to the barn or the spring without a shovel in her hand to decapitate any rattler she might see. She might only get a couple a year, but she was never bitten. If I walk on trails around here, I always carry a walking stick. I might not beat a water moccasin to death with it, but I can at least urge it away from the path so people can walk by.

[jarodrig]

This cotton mouth beauty was crossing the golf cart path at one of the executive courses “down south” …..

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by jarodrig

This cotton mouth beauty was crossing the golf cart path at one of the executive courses “down south” …..

It seems to be striking a pose!

[Taltarzac725]

As a teen I used to go rattlesnake hunting with Bobby around Rattlesnake Mountain in Reno, Nevada . His bedroom had various rattlesnake skins as trophies. He only took me along once as I kept on bumping into rocks and was scaring away the rattlesnakes. Clumsy me .

[jarodrig]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

It seems to be striking a pose!

I think he was begging for a treat ! 😂