Snake Catcher
For several years Jack Tanner and I caught snakes in the region (NW Florida) for various reasons; for the local reptile park, Snake-A-Torium, for the State of Florida Marine Estuary, to put on talks at local schools, and just because it was fun. Many snakes we caught, filmed, and released. During a three year period we caught several hundred snakes.
The one in my hand is a watersnake, probably a banded watersnake, which I am about to release.
This is my partner, Jack Tanner, catching a large Brown Watersnake in a swampy region of Gulf County. This one measured over 5 feet long. They are non-poisonous, but they give a vicious bite, as both of us learned many times. Brown Watersnakes are often mistaken for cottonmouth water moccasins (pictured below).
Jack with a large Cottonmouth, or water moccasin. A bad tempered snake, and poisonous, this is not something you should try. Only someone with the experiance and stupidity of Jack and I should attempt such a feat.
A very healthy Eastern Coral Snake. Neurotoxic venom, but not overly aggressive, this reptile is of the same family as the Cobra. Forget the silly stories people tell you about Coral Snakes being so small, they have to bite you between the fingers. This one was about three feet long and could bite you anywhere another snake of equivalent size could sink its teeth.
Note the snake stick. It's about the size of a broom handle.
Son Aaron at a young age. He holds a Pygmy Rattlesnake in a normal soft drink bottle. These little fellows are very common in Florida, and a good reason not to run around outside bare foot at night, as that's when they're active. They won't kill you, but they will give an idea what death by poison could be like.
