Kentucky Hunter Has Crazy Encounter With a Snake & We’re Still Laughing

Raise your hand if you are terrified of snakes.  Honest confession...I have two hands raised and my feet.  Angel here and I do not like snakes NOPE NOT AT ALL.

KENTUCKY HAS A WHOLE LOT OF DIFFERENT SNAKES

I had no idea that there are 33 different types of snakes right here in Kentucky.  Thankfully, only less than a handful of those are venomous.  I can guarantee I won't be getting anywhere near one to find out.

According to the University of Kentucky;  Venomous snakes include the Copperhead, Western Cottonmouth (water moccasin), Timber Rattlesnake, and Pigmy Rattlesnake. While venomous snakes should be respected and approached with caution, most snakes encountered in Kentucky are harmless and beneficial because they eat mice and other rodents.

HOW TO IDENTIFY VENOMOUS & NON-VENOMOUS SNAKES

Many people think it is as easy as identifying the shape of the head which is somewhat reliable but who actually wants to get close and them what shape their head is?  NOT ME!

Honestly, looking at these photos I don't see a whole lot of difference.  If I had never seen a venomous snake before I really wouldn't know.  Plus, non-venomous snakes can flatten their head when they feel like they are being threatened.

According to Snakes of Kentucky;

A non-venomous snake will vibrate its tail in danger and if it is in dry grass or brush this could sound like a rattler.  The best advice is to enjoy all snakes from a distance.

Copperhead-a good identifying characteristic for copperheads is the chestnut crossbands that are wide on the side of the body and narrower across the back. These bands are often described as having an hourglass or bow tie shape when viewed from above.

Western Cottonmouth- On land, the harmless water snakes almost always drop into the water or flee quickly when approached. In contrast, cottonmouths often stand their ground in an open-mouthed threat display, revealing the whitish interior of the mouth, and often rap8 Note the facial pit and vertical pupil, both of which indicate this is a venomous species. idly vibrate their tail. On the rare occasion when a harmless water snake gapes, with its mouth open wide, the interior of the mouth will be pinkish in color.

Timber Rattlesnake-The timber rattlesnake is the state’s largest venomous snake. It is a heavy-bodied snake with dark, sometimes V-shaped crossbands, on a yellow, gray, brown or sometimes greenish background color. The crossbands are always present except on completely black individuals, which occasionally occur. An obvious characteristic for this and other rattlesnake species is the rattle on the tip of the tail.

Western Pigmy Rattlesnake-This snake is a light, grayish brown with dark spots or short bars on its back and sometimes sides. A faint reddish brown or “rusty” stripe may be present down its back. It has a skinny tail and very small rattle that can be hard to hear; and has been compared to the sound of an insect buzzing. Like copperheads and cottonmouths the very young have a yellow tail tip.

The best advice-JUST STAY AWAY FROM THEM ALL!

HILARIOUS SNAKE ENCOUNTER THAT'S NOT FUNNY AT ALL

My husband, Joe, is an avid hunter.  He loves the woods and wildlife.  What he doesn't love is a snake.  Not even a little!  One might think his encounter was with a terrifying beastly snake while hunting for a big monster buck...NOPE NOPE NOTTA.

Actually, it happened last weekend when he was visiting his grandparents.  He parked his big manly, jacked-up F150 which he always does under the tree in front of their house.  He got out and went around to the passenger side to get something out.  When he did there was a branch from the tree in his way so he moved it and that's when the chaos started!  As he moved it something dropped on his head OH MY LORD HAVE MERCY.  He grabbed it only to realize it was a FREAKIN' SNAKE!  He said it took him a second to realize what happened and he knew it wasn't poisonous but it was not having him holding it.  He said it bit at him and he threw it.

He was still swatting at his head hours later after it happened.

I'm pretty sure he is still scarred from the encounter and says he'll never park under that tree again.  Every single time we talk about it we laugh.

WHERE IS THE CRAZIEST PLACE YOU'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED A SNAKE?  Head over to the WBKR Facebook page and tell us.