Collection hazards

[Wulfskaar]

I had a small rattlesnake IN the branches of my Stone Pine a couple months ago. I didn't even notice it until I watered. I guess the water startled the snake and I saw it as it slid out. I'm soooo glad I didn't try to put my hand in there.

The snake is no longer among us.

 

[ShadyStump]

Funny thing about coyotes in the east. They tend to be wolf/coyote hybrids here. They can be larger--up to 50 lbs heavier-- than a "regular" coyote and can take down deer.

Coywolves Are Taking Over Eastern North America

Coywolves are not 'shy wolves'—they are coyote-wolf hybrids (with some dog mixed in) and now number in the millions

www.smithsonianmag.com

Coyote-Wolf Hybrids Have Spread Across U.S. East

Coyotes with wolf DNA have been found in Virginia, confirming the hybrids' spread through the mid-Atlantic, a new study says.

www.nationalgeographic.com

WOW
Wouldn't have thought something like that'd be a problem out east.
Fascinating though. Here they've recently reintroduced wolves up in the high country (local term used for the high mountains where summer spring and fall are essentially the same 4 month season) so no issues there yet. Coydogs are becoming a problem more locally: coyote hybrid with domestic dogs. Because you never know what breed of dog, and they tend to be a little more social than coyotes, they've gained a reputation for being dangerously unpredictable. They tend to be more common in outskirt suburbs where the two species' range overlap.

As far as rattlesnakes or other venomous snakes, I think allot of people tend to be so worried about them that they assume ANY snake they catch a glimpse of is one when it's really something quite benign.

 

[rockm]

WOW
Wouldn't have thought something like that'd be a problem out east.
Fascinating though. Here they've recently reintroduced wolves up in the high country (local term used for the high mountains where summer spring and fall are essentially the same 4 month season) so no issues there yet. Coydogs are becoming a problem more locally: coyote hybrid with domestic dogs. Because you never know what breed of dog, and they tend to be a little more social than coyotes, they've gained a reputation for being dangerously unpredictable. They tend to be more common in outskirt suburbs where the two species' range overlap.

As far as rattlesnakes or other venomous snakes, I think allot of people tend to be so worried about them that they assume ANY snake they catch a glimpse of is one when it's really something quite benign.

They're not really a problem, especially if they're living on deer. Much rather have a large shy predator around than a deer through my windshield.

 

[Kullas]

As the populations grow and food gets a little on the low side i promise they won't be as shy

 

[berzerkules]

All I have to worry about is moose. I guess if I really got out there in the bush I might see a bear. I'm more afraid of moose though, they're total jerks. I've been chased by so many moose and almost every bear I've seen has been it's back side as it was running away.

Then we have swarms of giant mosquitoes but they are more of an annoyance than a threat.

 

[rockm]

As the populations grow and food gets a little on the low side i promise they won't be as shy

Maybe, but not really concerning. If I had an "outside" cat or a dog running around by itself outside, I'd be more concerned. Neighbors lost their cat to a coyote last summer...

 

[Wulfskaar]

Maybe, but not really concerning. If I had an "outside" cat or a dog running around by itself outside, I'd be more concerned. Neighbors lost their cat to a coyote last summer...

Outside cats don't last long in my neighborhood. Coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, foxes, and rattlesnakes. I have seen all of these in my yard, most many times.... without ever seeing a house cat!