Things are not so pleasant in Mount Pleasant, tonight

[Bronzeage]

Gaboon viper on the loose

A strange and slightly sticky freshly shed snake skin was found in Mount Pleasant, SC, one day last week. A snake expert has identified it as the cast off scales of a Gaboon viper,"an exotic snake not indigenous to the U.S."

To make things more interesting, "The Gaboon viper is a species that can grow up to six feet long, experts said. They're known to have the largest fangs, herpetologist Terry Phillip told ABC News."

Of course, it's a deadly venomous snake, "known to have the largest fangs." Why not?

If anyone sees this snake, they are advised to leave it alone and call the proper authorities. Everyone is now hoping for one last really good cold snap, which might keep this tropical snake moving slow. Of course, cold weather might make it try to find someplace warm to wait it out.

 

[Angry Floof]

One good thing about that viper is, if I recall, it's not the most aggressive or excitable snake so you have to practically step on it for it to bite. I guess you don't have to be aggressive when you're venomous and have 2" fangs.

Leave it to South Carolinians to have tropical vipers wandering about.

 

[bilby]

Snakes in general are not aggressive; they really are more frightened of you than you are of them, and if you give them plenty of room, and don't surprise them, they will flee rather than bite.

The vast majority of snakebites occur due to somebody deliberately handling (or attempting to handle) a snake - usually in a misguided attempt to kill it.

Snakes will only bite something that is too big for them to swallow whole, if that thing attacks them first - although of course a well camouflaged snake will likely see being accidentally trodden on by a bush walker as an attack.

 

[Underseer]

I think now would be a great time to remind the Christians of South Carolina that the Bible explicitly promises that they will be immune to poison due to their Christian faith.

 

[steve_bnk]

On a reylated note on invasive biologicals.
kuzdu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu#Invasive_species

'...Kudzu was introduced from Japan into the United States at the Japanese pavilion in the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.[17] It is now common along roadsides and other disturbed areas [26] throughout most of the southeastern United States. It has been spreading at the rate of 150,000 acres (610 km2) annually.[27]..'

 

[travc]

Snakes in general are not aggressive; they really are more frightened of you than you are of them, and if you give them plenty of room, and don't surprise them, they will flee rather than bite.

There are exceptions of course. Mambas are generally pretty agreesive and the fer-de-lance, while not agressive per-se, will strike without much provocation.