Are Cobras Loose in North Carolina?

Miss Whiplash · 23rd May 2008, 07:00 PM

We are having snake tale week in central North Carolina.

First an old boy down near Fayetteville saw a strange snake. From the Fayetteville Observer:

Quote:

Vernon Byrd said he isn’t sure just what type of snake he spotted Tuesday in the Cedar Creek community.

But he’s pretty sure about a few things: It was big. It was fast. And it wasn’t from these parts, as folks would say.

The local news immediately proclaimed the man saw a cobra, even through the actual description sounded more like a coachwhip snake.

Now people are seeing cobras elsewhere. From today on WITN:

Quote:

There is still no sighting of a deadly snake that's on the loose in Onslow County.

A resident on Mill Farms Road, that's off Piney Green Road, saw a Monocled Cobra under her back deck yesterday.

Last night officials said they believed the snake was released by a group trying to raise awareness in making it illegal for people to own exotic animals.

But the public relations director for the Animal Protection Institute says her organization had nothing to do with the snake release.

Officials say they found a flyer indicating someone lost two cobras, while Thursday night just one was spotted by the resident.

Am I alone in thinking this is BS? The timing is very suspicious. Or should get a pair of snake boots?

this charming man · 23rd May 2008, 07:12 PM

I'll bet it was a trouser snake

grayman · 23rd May 2008, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash

Am I alone in thinking this is BS?

Bull Snake? Nah, doesn't sound like one.

JoeEllison · 23rd May 2008, 07:39 PM

Time to call in G.I. Joe?

Pope130 · 23rd May 2008, 07:40 PM

I think all the Cobras around Fayetteville were replaced by Apaches about 20 years ago.

Miss Whiplash · 23rd May 2008, 07:41 PM

I'll trade you a hognose snake!

Of course you know, the local hysteria is getting to me.

Locknar · 23rd May 2008, 07:45 PM

This is exactly why we have "Whacking Day". Gentleman, grab your sticks and start whacking! *

*The Simpson's, Season 4, 20th episode

Miss Whiplash · 23rd May 2008, 07:49 PM

If it should prove true that a cobra or cobras are afoot, I'll just get one of these.

Locknar · 23rd May 2008, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash

If it should prove true that a cobra or cobras are afoot, I'll just get one of these.

Good golly Miss Molly; that's some serious fire power for just a snake.

Miss Whiplash · 23rd May 2008, 08:29 PM

Well, it's less messy than my mom's favorite way to dispatch snake. She just turns on the lawn mower and gives it a push.

Locknar · 23rd May 2008, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash

Well, it's less messy than my mom's favorite way to dispatch snake. She just turns on the lawn mower and gives it a push.

*lol* I have to say, for poisonous snakes that is a bit to close for me.

We have lots of Black Snakes here...I'll just pick them up and throw them into the woods. Sure, they bite...but it does not hurt.

We also have Copper Heads; I just dispatch them with a 410. It's small...but as long as you don't miss not a issue

Miss Whiplash · 23rd May 2008, 08:47 PM

We have copperheads around here and plenty of other miscellaneous non-venomous snakes. Down at home, in the eastern part of the state, there are copperheads, rattlesnakes and water moccasins. To be very honest, nothing gets a girly scream out of me like snakes. Usually I never wait around to see if they are venomous or not- I just run in the opposite direction.

Aitch · 24th May 2008, 02:30 AM

Makes me glad I live in a country where the only snakes are pretty harmless. And protected species, come to that.

Ravenwood · 24th May 2008, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash

If it should prove true that a cobra or cobras are afoot, I'll just get one of these.

Heck, get one of these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA8KF7f3BeQ
I like mine, & I was surprised at how well it fed.

Fiona · 24th May 2008, 03:19 AM

"We can't handle this, chief. This is a job for........Rikitikitavi."

Locknar · 24th May 2008, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash

We have copperheads around here and plenty of other miscellaneous non-venomous snakes. Down at home, in the eastern part of the state, there are copperheads, rattlesnakes and water moccasins. To be very honest, nothing gets a girly scream out of me like snakes. Usually I never wait around to see if they are venomous or not- I just run in the opposite direction.

Aye...you do have an assortment down your way.

I suspect if there are any in "the wild" your way they are former pets that have been let go. The "Spitting Cobra" is particularly nasty as, as the name suggests, it can spit venom which can cause blindness.

GT/CS · 26th May 2008, 07:07 AM

Could they be shape-shifting bigfeet?

Gene L · 26th May 2008, 07:41 AM

If it weren't so big, it could be a "spreading adder" the popular name for whatever the snake is that spreads out its neck, somewhat like a cobra. "Spreadin'adder". They're here in GA, don't know about NC. Don't see them very often. They're non-poisonous. Other snakes can hiss, don't know about a spreading adder.

As for cobras, we saw them in Viet Nam. A guy in my battalion had one spit in his eye...yes, that's right, spit in his eye. He was maybe five feet away from it, and made eye contanct. As I recall, his name was Blankenship, and he was the company RTO.

It didn't do any lasting harm to his eye, but he was medovaced out for a good check.

Cobras weren't very aggressive, unless they felt threatened. And they weren't especially fast, for a snake. There were far more deadly snakes than cobras.

Bikewer · 26th May 2008, 07:47 AM

Being a long-time amateur herpetologist... (well, when I was younger) I'm aware that folks see snakes in a manner that has little to do with reality; it's all conditioned by expectations and fear.
Nearly any poor serpent in the backyard is likely to be a "copperhead". Never mind that it's green and has long yellow stripes. Nope, "Copperhead, ain't it, officer? Killed it with my shovel!" Guy would always be very proud of having protected his family....

Likewise, any snake in the water is a "cottonmouth". Never mind that the water moccasin is a semi-tropic species, and the Northernmost range is about the Boot Heel area of Missouri.

We had a bit of a cobra scare here years ago, when one of the zoo's specimens escaped. Thing went unfound for nearly a week, making zoo visitors somewhat nervous....

Miss Whiplash · 26th May 2008, 08:04 AM

I know the snake you're talking about GeneL. It's a hognose snake. They puff up, spread their neck and put on a great show. Then if you don't go away, they go belly up and play dead.

What's so exasperating about the report is the public reaction. On local news sites, a few people are voicing skepticism as these reports are second and third hand supposed sightings. The rest have pushed the panic button and are reacting hysterically. Some gems:

"Now cobras will be native to North America."

"These cobras will inbreed with native snakes and we will have super snakes."

"This is why America's borders should be closed. If snakes can get in, then a dirty nose bomb will get in."

I have no idea what that last person was babbling about.

The original report of the cobra near Fayetteville, the man never said he actually saw a cobra. He saw no hood. What he did say was the snake "raised up cobra-like." Even though he appeared on a local radio show to clarify what he said, the news media is still saying he saw a king cobra.

If by chance someone's pet cobra is on the loose, as you say, they are not as aggressive as our native pit vipers. Pit vipers strike quickly and repeatedly. Also, come winter, if a cobra is loose in the wild, it will die.

I'm really disheartened people are so gullible.

Gene L · 26th May 2008, 08:59 AM

"This is why America's borders should be closed. If snakes can get in, then a dirty nose bomb will get in."

Maybe he meant a "dirty nose bum."

23rd May 2008, 07:00 PM	#1
Miss Whiplash Nettlesome Harpy Join Date: May 2006 Location: 53 Miles West of Venus Posts: 1,583	Are Cobras Loose in North Carolina? We are having snake tale week in central North Carolina. First an old boy down near Fayetteville saw a strange snake. From the Fayetteville Observer: Quote: Vernon Byrd said he isn’t sure just what type of snake he spotted Tuesday in the Cedar Creek community. But he’s pretty sure about a few things: It was big. It was fast. And it wasn’t from these parts, as folks would say. The local news immediately proclaimed the man saw a cobra, even through the actual description sounded more like a coachwhip snake. Now people are seeing cobras elsewhere. From today on WITN: Quote: There is still no sighting of a deadly snake that's on the loose in Onslow County. A resident on Mill Farms Road, that's off Piney Green Road, saw a Monocled Cobra under her back deck yesterday. Last night officials said they believed the snake was released by a group trying to raise awareness in making it illegal for people to own exotic animals. But the public relations director for the Animal Protection Institute says her organization had nothing to do with the snake release. Officials say they found a flyer indicating someone lost two cobras, while Thursday night just one was spotted by the resident. Am I alone in thinking this is BS? The timing is very suspicious. Or should get a pair of snake boots?
	__________________ MondoSkepto "The Gin Palace of Rationality" "Bring me the head of the preacher man!" Siouxsie Sioux (Concerning my avatar) "...I was worried that someone that ugly would be dumb enough to put herself up for public ridicule." - The Atheist Last edited by Miss Whiplash; 23rd May 2008 at 07:01 PM.

23rd May 2008, 07:12 PM	#2
this charming man A jumped up pantry boy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: On a hillside desolate Posts: 1,117	I'll bet it was a trouser snake
	__________________ Avatar animation by Paulhoff http://southernskeptics.wordpress.com/ http://southernskeptics.net

23rd May 2008, 07:31 PM	#3
grayman Happy-go-lucky Heretic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Casa del Whacko Posts: 6,142	Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash Am I alone in thinking this is BS? Bull Snake? Nah, doesn't sound like one.
	__________________ Stupidity is a condition. Ignorance is a choice. - Wiley All great truths begin as blasphemies. - George Bernard Shaw God is evil. As soon as you accept that, it all makes sense. - Sledge

23rd May 2008, 07:41 PM	#6
Miss Whiplash Nettlesome Harpy Join Date: May 2006 Location: 53 Miles West of Venus Posts: 1,583	I'll trade you a hognose snake! Of course you know, the local hysteria is getting to me.
	__________________ MondoSkepto "The Gin Palace of Rationality" "Bring me the head of the preacher man!" Siouxsie Sioux (Concerning my avatar) "...I was worried that someone that ugly would be dumb enough to put herself up for public ridicule." - The Atheist

23rd May 2008, 07:45 PM	#7
Locknar Sum of all evils ^tm Deputy Admin Join Date: May 2007 Location: 25.50 N, 77.54 W Posts: 14,127	This is exactly why we have "Whacking Day". Gentleman, grab your sticks and start whacking! * *The Simpson's, Season 4, 20th episode
	__________________ Member Simpson 15 and Ex-defendant in Simpson v. Randi, et al. \| StopSylvia.com \| JREF Forum Twitter Last edited by Locknar; 23rd May 2008 at 07:46 PM.

23rd May 2008, 07:39 PM	#4
JoeEllison Cuddly Like a Koala Bear Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 7,276	Time to call in G.I. Joe?

23rd May 2008, 07:40 PM	#5
Pope130 Muse Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 963	I think all the Cobras around Fayetteville were replaced by Apaches about 20 years ago.

23rd May 2008, 07:49 PM	#8
Miss Whiplash Nettlesome Harpy Join Date: May 2006 Location: 53 Miles West of Venus Posts: 1,583	If it should prove true that a cobra or cobras are afoot, I'll just get one of these.
	__________________ MondoSkepto "The Gin Palace of Rationality" "Bring me the head of the preacher man!" Siouxsie Sioux (Concerning my avatar) "...I was worried that someone that ugly would be dumb enough to put herself up for public ridicule." - The Atheist

23rd May 2008, 08:07 PM	#9
Locknar Sum of all evils ^tm Deputy Admin Join Date: May 2007 Location: 25.50 N, 77.54 W Posts: 14,127	Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash If it should prove true that a cobra or cobras are afoot, I'll just get one of these. Good golly Miss Molly; that's some serious fire power for just a snake.
	__________________ Member Simpson 15 and Ex-defendant in Simpson v. Randi, et al. \| StopSylvia.com \| JREF Forum Twitter

23rd May 2008, 08:29 PM	#10
Miss Whiplash Nettlesome Harpy Join Date: May 2006 Location: 53 Miles West of Venus Posts: 1,583	Well, it's less messy than my mom's favorite way to dispatch snake. She just turns on the lawn mower and gives it a push.
	__________________ MondoSkepto "The Gin Palace of Rationality" "Bring me the head of the preacher man!" Siouxsie Sioux (Concerning my avatar) "...I was worried that someone that ugly would be dumb enough to put herself up for public ridicule." - The Atheist

23rd May 2008, 08:37 PM	#11
Locknar Sum of all evils ^tm Deputy Admin Join Date: May 2007 Location: 25.50 N, 77.54 W Posts: 14,127	Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash Well, it's less messy than my mom's favorite way to dispatch snake. She just turns on the lawn mower and gives it a push. lol I have to say, for poisonous snakes that is a bit to close for me. We have lots of Black Snakes here...I'll just pick them up and throw them into the woods. Sure, they bite...but it does not hurt. We also have Copper Heads; I just dispatch them with a 410. It's small...but as long as you don't miss not a issue
	__________________ Member Simpson 15 and Ex-defendant in Simpson v. Randi, et al. \| StopSylvia.com \| JREF Forum Twitter

23rd May 2008, 08:47 PM	#12
Miss Whiplash Nettlesome Harpy Join Date: May 2006 Location: 53 Miles West of Venus Posts: 1,583	We have copperheads around here and plenty of other miscellaneous non-venomous snakes. Down at home, in the eastern part of the state, there are copperheads, rattlesnakes and water moccasins. To be very honest, nothing gets a girly scream out of me like snakes. Usually I never wait around to see if they are venomous or not- I just run in the opposite direction.
	__________________ MondoSkepto "The Gin Palace of Rationality" "Bring me the head of the preacher man!" Siouxsie Sioux (Concerning my avatar) "...I was worried that someone that ugly would be dumb enough to put herself up for public ridicule." - The Atheist

24th May 2008, 02:30 AM	#13
Aitch Guest Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: StAines Posts: 2,731	Makes me glad I live in a country where the only snakes are pretty harmless. And protected species, come to that.

24th May 2008, 02:36 AM	#14
Ravenwood Muse Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 606	Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash If it should prove true that a cobra or cobras are afoot, I'll just get one of these. Heck, get one of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA8KF7f3BeQ I like mine, & I was surprised at how well it fed.
Ravenwood Muse Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 606	__________________ You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill; I will choose a path that's clear- I will choose Free Will. -Rush, "Free Will"

24th May 2008, 03:19 AM	#15
Fiona Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8,238	"We can't handle this, chief. This is a job for........Rikitikitavi."
Fiona Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8,238

24th May 2008, 07:14 AM	#16
Locknar Sum of all evils ^tm Deputy Admin Join Date: May 2007 Location: 25.50 N, 77.54 W Posts: 14,127	Originally Posted by Miss Whiplash We have copperheads around here and plenty of other miscellaneous non-venomous snakes. Down at home, in the eastern part of the state, there are copperheads, rattlesnakes and water moccasins. To be very honest, nothing gets a girly scream out of me like snakes. Usually I never wait around to see if they are venomous or not- I just run in the opposite direction. Aye...you do have an assortment down your way. I suspect if there are any in "the wild" your way they are former pets that have been let go. The "Spitting Cobra" is particularly nasty as, as the name suggests, it can spit venom which can cause blindness.
	__________________ Member Simpson 15 and Ex-defendant in Simpson v. Randi, et al. \| StopSylvia.com \| JREF Forum Twitter Last edited by Locknar; 24th May 2008 at 07:22 AM.

26th May 2008, 07:07 AM	#17
GT/CS Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,591	Could they be shape-shifting bigfeet?
GT/CS Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,591	__________________ SweatyYeti or Bill Munns would be my vote for looking at this - BFSleuth @ BFF I've got plenty of common sense! I just choose to ignore it. - Calvin; October 15, 1986

26th May 2008, 07:41 AM	#18
Gene L Critical Thinker Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 337	If it weren't so big, it could be a "spreading adder" the popular name for whatever the snake is that spreads out its neck, somewhat like a cobra. "Spreadin'adder". They're here in GA, don't know about NC. Don't see them very often. They're non-poisonous. Other snakes can hiss, don't know about a spreading adder. As for cobras, we saw them in Viet Nam. A guy in my battalion had one spit in his eye...yes, that's right, spit in his eye. He was maybe five feet away from it, and made eye contanct. As I recall, his name was Blankenship, and he was the company RTO. It didn't do any lasting harm to his eye, but he was medovaced out for a good check. Cobras weren't very aggressive, unless they felt threatened. And they weren't especially fast, for a snake. There were far more deadly snakes than cobras.
Gene L Critical Thinker Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 337	Last edited by Gene L; 26th May 2008 at 07:43 AM.

26th May 2008, 07:47 AM	#19
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,519	Being a long-time amateur herpetologist... (well, when I was younger) I'm aware that folks see snakes in a manner that has little to do with reality; it's all conditioned by expectations and fear. Nearly any poor serpent in the backyard is likely to be a "copperhead". Never mind that it's green and has long yellow stripes. Nope, "Copperhead, ain't it, officer? Killed it with my shovel!" Guy would always be very proud of having protected his family.... Likewise, any snake in the water is a "cottonmouth". Never mind that the water moccasin is a semi-tropic species, and the Northernmost range is about the Boot Heel area of Missouri. We had a bit of a cobra scare here years ago, when one of the zoo's specimens escaped. Thing went unfound for nearly a week, making zoo visitors somewhat nervous....

26th May 2008, 08:04 AM	#20
Miss Whiplash Nettlesome Harpy Join Date: May 2006 Location: 53 Miles West of Venus Posts: 1,583	I know the snake you're talking about GeneL. It's a hognose snake. They puff up, spread their neck and put on a great show. Then if you don't go away, they go belly up and play dead. What's so exasperating about the report is the public reaction. On local news sites, a few people are voicing skepticism as these reports are second and third hand supposed sightings. The rest have pushed the panic button and are reacting hysterically. Some gems: "Now cobras will be native to North America." "These cobras will inbreed with native snakes and we will have super snakes." "This is why America's borders should be closed. If snakes can get in, then a dirty nose bomb will get in." I have no idea what that last person was babbling about. The original report of the cobra near Fayetteville, the man never said he actually saw a cobra. He saw no hood. What he did say was the snake "raised up cobra-like." Even though he appeared on a local radio show to clarify what he said, the news media is still saying he saw a king cobra. If by chance someone's pet cobra is on the loose, as you say, they are not as aggressive as our native pit vipers. Pit vipers strike quickly and repeatedly. Also, come winter, if a cobra is loose in the wild, it will die. I'm really disheartened people are so gullible.
	__________________ MondoSkepto "The Gin Palace of Rationality" "Bring me the head of the preacher man!" Siouxsie Sioux (Concerning my avatar) "...I was worried that someone that ugly would be dumb enough to put herself up for public ridicule." - The Atheist Last edited by Miss Whiplash; 26th May 2008 at 08:05 AM.

26th May 2008, 08:59 AM	#21
Gene L Critical Thinker Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 337	"This is why America's borders should be closed. If snakes can get in, then a dirty nose bomb will get in." Maybe he meant a "dirty nose bum."
Gene L Critical Thinker Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 337	Last edited by Gene L; 26th May 2008 at 09:40 AM.