If YOU leave it alone, IT will leave you alone!
It is very important to notice that all of these animals are capable of inflicting a bite and causing pain. Skinks, brown snakes, rat snakes, water snakes, and snapping turtles: some of them will only draw a little blood. Some are capable of biting through fingers and toes. These are powerful animals and should be treated with caution and with respect.
The point that I want to make is that each and every time I have captured a reptile, it DID NOT try to bite me until I gave it no choice. Basically, that means I had it cornered and in my grip (which, of course, was gentle). Each and every one of them tried to slither or crawl away first, and only tried to bite once I cornered them.
There are animals, such as snapping turtles and water snakes, that are notorious for being aggresive and even bloodthirsty animals. Both of these are highly exaggerated. Every single time I approached a water snake, the first thing it did was try to slither (or swim) away. Even when I picked it up, it tried to slither out of my grip before striking. Additionally, once the water snake realized I was not going to eat it, it did not even try to bite me anymore.
With the snapping turtles, they both tried to pull away while they were in the water. Did not scratch or bite. Only once I had it fully out of the water and facing me did it become aggresive. As a general rule of thumb, snapping turtles are aggresive when on land. This is because while they are dominant predators in the water, they are much more vulnerable on land; and they know it too. When in the water (their natural habitat, not a tank), snapping turtles are generally curious and even friendly animals.
All to say, I have never had a snake or a snapping turtle come after me. They only tried to bite me once I gave them no alternative. All of these animals, however dangerous they may be, are special and critical to the health of the ecosystem. Each and every one of them should be treated with respect and, in some cases, caution.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)Observer
mr_reptileDescription
3’4”
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)Observer
mr_reptileDescription
Clearly about to shed. One can identify this as a venomous snake by means of its hood, its aposematic colouration, and its fangs (not shown). Although it’s not always the case, bright colouration can be an indicator of danger, and it’s always best to air on the side of caution.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon ssp. sipedon)Observer
mr_reptileDescription
2’ 6”. Found in basking next to a log at the edge of a river. Tried to bite upon capture, but became more friendly shortly after capture. Did not musk.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)Observer
mr_reptileDescription
Found this rat snake in the dark basement of a large house, with plenty of nooks and crannies to satisfy a him. 2’7”. Did not try to bite me upon capture, but did try to bite later on while being handled. It emitted an odor that smelled (mildly) like gasoline. Between juvenile and adulthood. Released shortly after capture.
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