Hey, just remembered. We're booked at Myrtle Beach State Park and I saw something about copper heads. Snakes don't generally bother me, we hike and bike in rattlesnake country frequently. Just wondering how big a problem is it there?
After the responses you received I am not sure this is a serious question, but I will answer anyway, especially since some folks are more scared of snakes than sharks!
I live just over the line in NC, about 30 miles from MB. Copperheads are our most common and seen poisonous snake, but really not that common. The good news is their bites are very rarely fatal. Venom not as strong, they are small snakes, and they bite to keep you away, not to kill you :)
Copperheads like to hide under things like downed logs, an old piece of metal ( warmth ), and shrubbery / bushes. They are not an aggressive snake. Most people get bit when picking up things with bare hands without looking to see what might be under, or digging in shrubbery / landscaping with bare hands and not paying attention. Of course you could step on one in the woods but not likely. I have lived in NC many years and only know of one poisonous bite. It was a copperhead and the guy was digging in his shrubbery with bare hands. He was fine a couple of days after treatment.
I can tell you the idea of a water moccasin chasing you is BS. If you encounter one one dry land they can be aggressive and not back away from you, but never seen one chase anyone. BTW most "water moccasins" spotted are actually non poisonous banded water snakes. WM are very heavy bodied snakes ( short / fat ), dark backs, triangular head. They are very poisonous and really do some damage
When I was growing up we used to catch snakes and sell them to a local zoo. I can tell you they are really hard to find, even if you are looking for them, even more so now with all the chemicals we have put in the environment. All snakes should be respected and left alone if possible. If they are aware of you first you will never see them. They will run if given the chance but will protect themselves.
Odds of seeing a poisonous snake are about like seeing a shark, slim to none.
