« The State of DFCS | Main | BWAHAHAHA! »

August 19, 2005

Creepy Crawlies

I've never had a phobia about snakes, just a healthy respect for them. But this story gives me the creeps. (Registration req'd or use Bugmenot)

A team of zoologists from Arkansas State University is trying to figure out why at least 100 male copperheads have gathered at the base of a large tree on a farm in Marion County over a three-week period.

The poisonous snakes have apparently slithered up to mark their scent on one certain dead cedar tree on a farm owned by Chuck Miller, who lives off of Highway 14 south of Yellville.

"The snakes started showing up in scads the last week in July and I've been watching them go to the same tree every night," said the 35-year-old construction worker who is building his cabin about 40 yards away from the tree.

Mr. Miller says the same thing happened last year at an adjacent cedar, which he's since cut down. But the snakes just started using a different one.

*shudders*

I think I'd just move and let 'em have it.

Posted by Rita at August 19, 2005 07:29 AM

Comments

No real mystery. They treed some wacko left wingers and supped on them.

Posted by: Da Goddess at August 19, 2005 08:21 AM

lol There's definitely some wackos living around Yellville, though I don't know how left-wing they are.

There's an old wives' tale that copperheads always travel in pairs....but I've never heard of anything like this. Really strange. If they're denning up this early, we may be in for a hard winter.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 19, 2005 08:34 AM

Maybe they're trying to get to Voldemort.

Posted by: Keith at August 19, 2005 08:46 AM

Not too surprising

Copperheads/cottonmouths are known to go back to their den and breeding grounds at home in georgia.

When I was about 11 a fella built a house on a stone slab area. 4 weeks after moving in he was killed while sitting on his toilet. Snake bite.

Everyone wondered what the hell happened until the lady came home and found one in her bed.

Turned out the slab was a snake den and they were returning to breed....

Posted by: BloodSpite at August 19, 2005 02:44 PM

Now that I've heard of, some rattlers do that too, but I'd never heard of a bunch of male snakes marking a tree like a pack of dogs.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 19, 2005 05:27 PM