It seems that during my many miles of hiking wet areas I have come across a few water moccasins (cottonmouths). They all would have certainly done me in if they had a mind to. In all cases they just displayed their very deadly fangs as they opened their mouths as wide as they could. In each case I recognized why they are called “cottonmouths”! They never attempted to strike me, just warned me to stay back. I met some old-timers once and they have told me that there were a lot of water moccasins in Florida once upon a time and they would actually chase you. If you should encounter one of these snakes, or any snake for that matter, show it respect. I never harass them, taking a few pictures and moving on. If you see one, just go around it and I'm sure you will be alright - but always border on the side of caution! I have run into a few snakes during my hiking (not really that many considering where I go and how many miles I cover) that I now wear snake gaiters to protect me (when I remember too). I use a pretty expensive set, TurtleSkin SnakeArmor's snake protection gaiters, but there are cheaper ones out there.

This is a Water Moccasin I almost stepped on while hiking Moccasin Island Tract. I assume because it was a cool day that is why he didn’t strike at me. I looked down when taking a picture of a flower and there he was! I jumped back, he just kept threatening me until I moved on (click on pictures to enlarge).
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Another mean boy I ran across - if looks could kill I suspect I wouldn't be here! (click on pictures to enlarge)
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A smaller Water Moccasin I almost stepped on why hiking around the St Johns River - it was just as mean as the big boys. I'm sure if he could have, he would bitten me and made my life miserable. Two things I had going for me that day - it was cool and it was sluggish and I had on my very protective snake gaiters. (click on pictures to enlarge)
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I almost stepped on this very fat water moccasin while hiking a swamp in the very northern section of the Tosohatchee WMA. He just slithered up to a small mound and opened his mouth to show me his very intimating fangs. It wasn’t that cool of a day, so not sure why he just stayed there. It was very dry in this wetland area this day, so maybe the lack of water made him a little docile. I was very happy that he didn’t attempt to test my snake gaiters! I took his picture and moved on. I only saw one other snake that day, a small green one. There may have been many out there, but I doubt it. It seems that they are part of what I call “nature’s demise”. (click on pictures to enlarge)
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