Important! I almost died today........

My DH and I and his daugher and fiance we were putting up the big "WigglyPaw" sign
at the end of our driveway today. I was mowing getting the front entryway area nice and
neat. The riding mower wont go under the slanted telephone guy wire, so when I had
a chance, Igot off the mower and started hand pulling weeds.

I was shocked and dismayed to find out I had been pulling clumps of weed out
on top of and mixed in with a small snake. I wasn't worried, but I did call over
the guys. The shouted when they saw it. It was a Missasauga Rattlesnake. If it
had bitten my hand, for sure I would have lost my hand, fingers, it was that close.

I was shaking, to think I almost pulled that snake up with a bunch of weeds in one
handl. I will NEVER Never weed like this again. I felt sick, and ill for quite a few
hours. I have seen many snakes while mowing and it gets me scared, but I guess
this is the first time I almost picked one up by accident. Thank god I am not too
tomboy, and called the guys over first. Lou got the lopers and chopped its head
off, they said it let out a LOT of venom in a stream when they did that. OMG.

I will never walk through the pastures again in tall grass, especially with holey
sneakers, or flip flops.
Our neighbors horse died from a missasauga bite on the leg, down by our
river. The leg got big and infected, they tried so hard to treat it and keep the
horse alive, but the infection finally got it and the leg was always so swollen
and diseased. Poor dear.

I think I will call the hospital and see if they keep FRESH anitvenom on hand
just in case. Even with that, you lose arms and legs...

I am so lucky. So lucky. I will be so careful from now on. I am so scared,
and just thankful that my lucky angel intersected on my safety. I said a prayer
for her and everyone else can say thank you for her vigilence over me today
too.

Getting a new weedwacker and firing up my bunsen burner and my propane
torch, and my Agent Orange spray. No more hand picking for me.Besides, my
hands and fingers get all green stained anyhow.

Hugs
Sheri

Rattlesnake in Hastings??? forever more....keep them there and don't shooo them north.
Glad you are still with us!

Wow, that is awful. Glad you are alright!!!!

Cindy

My neighbor says Yes, there are rattlers here. Ugh.

When DH lou and I go woods walking, he always takes a
stick, now has a nice hand made walking stick from Amish
friends, I understand now.

Neighbor also says that folks around here are cleaning up
and doing some stuff alongst the streams, so the snakes
are moving.

Wahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanna go home to my Momma!!!!!!!!!!
Regards,
sheri who is terrified now

Sheri..........You may want to report that sighting, inclose is a website to check out. That had to be scarey, I shall never ever complain again about my two "resident garter snakes" in my front garden.

http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/emr/

Deann

Deann
thank you for that link. I did report it.

I can see how our chickens will be competition
for the garter snakes, as our chickens eat mice! LOL

Yesterday, it was "keep away" for over an hour with
one, then another chicken running around the farm
with a mouse from its beak. Others running pellmell
right after it.

So with low mouse population, perhaps the snakes
will find lean pickings here and go away. please please

hugs,
sher

WigglyPaw, my husband and I were discussing your snake experience. I don't remember seeing too many snakes while growing up or since, except an occasional garter snake and some water snakes in the U.P. When I googled Michigan snakes I came up with this:

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Reserve/7416/mi.html

dear kristiL
Well, since I have been mowing the back pastures to keep the grass
growing for the horses and for hay next year, I have seen more
snakes that I ever ever want to. I won't even walk through the
pastures anymore. Call me chicken. but, my DH, has been using
a long walking stick whenever we go in the woods, for years now.
Now I know why. ick ick ick. why can't they be cute and furry, with
big eyes and big ears and timid? Wahhhhhhh.

thanks for the pictures. Gave me more of the creeps now.
who knew there were so many different snakes here?

sheri

It is sad that you killed it. Did you know that it is considered endangered and is illegal to kill them?

Mi rattler isn't that bad if you carry a bite kit with you and know how to use it I had an aunt that most springs would have the little ones sunning on her back porch her old dog had been bite a couple of times it did go blind and death at 13 or 14 years old live to be 16 or 17

My neighbors struggled for 2 years to keep their big quarter horse
alive after being bit on the ankle by one of these snakes. the leg
was constantly swoll up and festering, always needing vet care
and drugs and bandages and oh my gosh, that poor soul. finally,
last summer they had to put her down because the infections were
getting so badly for that dear horse. And that horse was a BEAUT!
It was a palamino mississippi trotter.

I fret now over my dogs, horses and other critters. I wonder if the
hawks around here eat them. I have never seen them swoop and
get one . I wonder also if my chickens are now doing a good job
at keeping them away? they will eat mice! Catch them and run
around with the other chickens pell mell chasing them for hell or
high water faster n' slick. sheesus! LOLOL
sher