"... To fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown, so Jill called Dan Newlin and they settled out of court". At least that's the way my mother used to tell it.

That may well be true, but the only treatment now is supportive care, which includes airway management with mechanical ventilation. I’d rather 1) not get bitten, or 2) have the anti venom available rather than a tube down my throat.

I still plan on running the other way.

Snakes
 

The best policy is never touch or attempt to pick up a snake without a snake hook or noose grabber. Even though you are sure about the species not being poisonous. It is possible to be bitten by a snake if it feels threatened and why take a chance when it's not necessary. If you are going to mess with them have the proper equipment to catch them and protect yourself, a bucket [or burlap sack] with a secure lid to transport them. Best policy is to leave them alone or chase them off. They will leave unless they feel trapped, then they'll fight.

I was fishing in a Florida lake and wearing shorts in about 3 feet of water when a 3 ft mocassin swam by close to my leg. I didn't move and he swam right by. He had a triangular head.

Yeah, I agree, as long as you can see the head. The RED-nosed version looks like it would be the bad one, but it's definitely NOT! It's the black-nosed version.

The red-nosed is the safe king snake, and the black-nosed is the coral snake.

are you a herp lover? you seem very comfy with that little guy