The first thing I noticed was the sandals you were wearing while searching for a canebrake. I was more concerned about your safety when walking through brush trails with sandals. It was kinda distracting from your main points of the video.
Thank you for the feedback. I feel really comfortable in my sandals, almost no matter the terrain or circumstance. I generally believe that shoes do little more than provide false security with snakes. Even snake boots aren't totally bite-proof, so I prefer to wear shoes that I'm most familiar with, that way my chances of slipping or tripping are the lowest while handling. I do appreciate your concern tho, and the comment as well.
@@TheLastDive Now that you have provided your explanation, I can see your reasoning for sandals. I walk through the woods, timber cut land often with snake chaps and boots. They provide me a sense of security.
@@kerrytodd3753 thanks for the feedback. I try to be really aware of my impact on the wildlife I interact with. In general, I feel that the education that comes from these things is a valuable trade off for a few minutes of “harassing” an animal, so long as the animal is unharmed. I talk a bit more about that in my newer video. As for my attire, long pants won’t help against pit viper fangs, and I feel far more comfortable when I can actually feel the ground I’m walking over, which my sandals allow. That way I’m far less likely to trip is slip, which is a more likely hazard than stepping on the snake, so long as I’m observant. Anyway, hope that clears a few things up. Thanks again.
I actually feel most comfortable working with snakes in footwear that I know the best, and for me that's my trusty Rainbow flip flops. That way the liklehood of me tripping over my own feet is as low as possible. Plus, even snake boots aren't fool proof. I'd rather not have the false sense of security : )
I never go into the woods or overgrown areas during the warm months without leather boots or snake proof boots on. Copperheads & timber rattlers are just too hard to see if they’re lying still.
You don't seem to be to worried with flip flops on in timber rattler country! They are not feared by people who live in the mountains and woodlands...they are respected. Wearing shorts in poison oak country is more dangerous and problematic than the snake...lol!
Who gives a shit about his footwear😂 People have walked barefoot in forests and areas w all kinds of creatures for a long time lol cant just enjoy a video
My grandfather in 1905 was cutting timber in Union Co., TN. He was joined by the crew foreman at noon who took a break with them. The foreman sat down on an old chestnut log, and he threw his left arm behind the log to balance himself. He was immediately struck by a timber rattler that bit his left index finger. Knowing the danger, he quickly grabbed a nearby ax and he chopped off most of his index finger on a stump. He was escorted back to the logging camp and someone went to the nearby town to get a doctor for him. The foreman recovered in a couple days. By the end of the week, he rode his horse back to the area where he had chopped off his finger. My grandfather was still working in that area, and he saw the foreman examine his finger by turning it over on the stump with a willow limb he was using as a whip for his horse. The finger was black and swollen. The foreman told the men he sure was glad he cut off his finger. Later that day after lunch, the foreman picked his teeth with the same willow switch as was his habit. He had forgotten about how he had used it to examine his amputated finger. Within a few minutes, he fell over dead. The venom had been concentrated in the finger, and it went directly into the Foreman's blood system as he pieced his gums with the end of the willow switch.
Sounds like the Texas boot that a snake bit thru and killed the boot wearer. The past down boots kept killing other cowboys until they discovered the fangs were still in the boot.
I find snake boots too clunky to really be safe. When I wear them, I sometimes slip and trip over my own feet, which feels like a much larger hazard to me. The flip flops keep me super aware and dialed into my surroundings
I prefer less clunky footwear while handling. That way I'm less likely to trip or slip. I have snake boots, but feel much safer in my sandals most of the time.
I would like to come help you, however snakes and I signed a contract - "I don't go to their home, and they don't come to my home!" (and everyone is happy)
Rattlesnakes are pretty cool animals. I rescued one when I was younger and once I held it awhile, it calmed down and was no longer aggressive. These animals are not mean. They only have a bad reputation because humans have made bad decisions when contacting them.
In south La. we have a big population of Timbers, but we call them canebrake rattle snakes. I liked that you showed that they aren't aggressive demonds. East New Orleans, La. have always had a big population of Timbers but I haven't heard of many snake bites on anyone. The message you provided is perfect, just let them be.
Went from fear and dread living with rattlesnakes in Paso Robles, CA to absolutely loving these creatures. After educating myself as much as possible, all that worry was replaced with wonderment and respect. Even the babies and adolescents, which can be a bit more aggressive and venomous, were just given room. We had a dozen around the house some years, and never had an issue. Snake proofed the house and yard as much as one could and carried on. Amazing animals.
I've heard that out west the rattlesnake's venom is getting stronger. It takes a lot more anti-venom to treat a snakebite. I've also heard that out west more and more rattlesnakes aren't bothering to use their rattles.
Get one 6 ft. Long biger than your calf cup of posion from a bite the TEMBER RATTLER IN NORTH ALABAMA MOUTAINS TO THE SOUTHER ALABAMA YOU WILL RESPECT THEM OR PAY THE PRICE!! GET YOU SOME SNAKE BOOTS BUDDY IT DOESN'T TAKE BUT ONCE!!
I feel really safe in them actually. I know them better than any other footwear, so my chances of slipping or tripping are the lowest when I wear them. I have snake boots, but when i'm handling they feel far too big and clunky for me to move around as freely as i may need to
Yet you keep looking back at it as your talking into the camera. Even you know not to turn your back to a snake. Unpredictable is the reason you looked back. And the way you looked back was a look of a bit of fear.
Just making sure he wasn’t taking off actually. It is a good idea to keep an eye on any venomous snake you’re interacting with, but I felt totally safe with this snake
Sorry I missed your comment, been taking a little RU-vid break! I’m glad you found it reassuring tho. They really are lovely animals that just want peace and quiet haha
I grew up in Western North Carolina's mountains, lived my 79 years most of that time in Buncombe County, where I saw plenty of copperheads but no rattlers. I saw rattlers in the rocky cliffs of Rutherford, Henderson, and McDowell Counties, always loved and admired them as part of Mother Nature. I never killed a viper and never would suffer anyone to kill one who was hiking with me. My dad, however, was a S. Baptist minister and bragged about killing rattlers in McDowell County when he was a boy. I always chided him about it but he believed in that passage in the Old Testament about killing serpents because they represent Satan.
Wow, thank you for sharing that. I was born in Madison County, but have lived in Buncombe the last 14 years. I’ve seen a few Timbers in Buncombe, but most that I’ve found have been in neighboring counties. It was actually a long term goal of mine to find one in Buncombe, and I finally found a small but thriving population a few years ago. It’s very interesting to me to hear stories like yours, from folks who have been here a lot longer than me. Thanks again.
Enjoyed video. But I think that your footwear wasn't proper for what you were doing. It might set a bad example for someone that starting doing what you are doing.
These people need to stop about your choice of footwear. Many many outdoor experts wear sandals, some even have bare feet as it allows them to feel closer to nature . You do what feels right for you! @@TheLastDive
wasnt talking about price of eggs in China. Commenting on the video and all the people who mention his choice of footwear..got it????@@controlledchaos7808
what an awesome snake! I would have been traumatized for a long time..LOL..However I do know that snakes are actually shy and will always choose to flee..I wish more people knew that..Thank you for the video and showing folks how snakes truly are..I live in NE MD very close to PA line..I think we only have copperheads as far as venomous snakes..Would you know if Timbers are in these parts?
Thanks so much for the nice comment! You probably have Timbers within an hours drive or so, but right in Northeast MD the range map is a little spotty. They are found all the way up in upstate NY, but there are a few patches around where you are that don’t have Timbers anymore.
Nobody lives among more snakes than I grew up with , and I’m telling you , they’re not always so passive. If they’re in the right mood , they will come after you and jump in your face. Don’t kid yourself.
However,,, Timber Rattlers WILL chase you! We lost a man 60ish years ago looking for bee trees on the mountain ridge north of here. The six foot rattler chased him down the mountain and eventually did catch him and bit him in the upper buttocks. He did not make it to the doctors office...
I bet you heard that story second or third or 20th hand. Two things come to mind one being no snake is going to chase you down the mountain and another is a cold blooded critter doesn't have that kind of energy.
