Boy was bitten by rare poisonous snake at Mongo Camp Ground

[canamscott]

These are exceptionally rare. I work outside not too far from Mongo and have seen two in 20 years, and one of those was road kill. This lad is the first incident I have heard of that did not involve alcohol. The massauga is our only venomous snake in this county. The boy's leg is going to hurt for quite a while, but he will be fine. These are not nearly as potent as some of the snakes way south. I have been through massauga research plots more than once an never saw one, though the radio tracking device said they were nearby. People do not need to make up an excuse to not go outside.

 

[paperboy]

Here's a story for ya.....I grew up in Cedar Lake, when I was six (approx. 1974) my Mom was bitten by one of these nasty little guys in our next door neighbors yard. It nailed her twice on her ankle. She went to St. Anthony's ER, they didn't know what to do so they flew in a specialist from Brookfield Zoo with anti venom. She was in the hospital for 11 days where they had to lance her leg twice a day and for 3 months afterward she still had extreme swelling everyday. All this from a snake that was only like 8" long. They said if she would've gotten bit any higher (hand/arm) she may not have made it.

 

[hooky]

Not sure if it's true or not, but I was always told that the young ones were more dangerous than the older ones. Something about them not holding any venom in reserve and they give you the full dose, where the mature snakes won't.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Not sure if it's true or not, but I was always told that the young ones were more dangerous than the older ones. Something about them not holding any venom in reserve and they give you the full dose, where the mature snakes won't.

This is truth. The degree of envenomation also depends on when the snake last used its venom.

 

[indybrad]

I think their mating season is in june and august. They are found in Ontario also

 

[YoungBlood21]

That is a scary story. I had no idea that we had any type of poisonous snake in Indiana. My thoughts and prayers go out to the boy and his family for a full and quick recovery.

 

[Rey B]

I teach nature courses at Culver Woodcraft Camp and the Massaugua is part of my "things to leave alone" lessons. Prayers for the young man.

 

[ElsiePeaRN]

That is a scary story. I had no idea that we had any type of poisonous snake in Indiana. My thoughts and prayers go out to the boy and his family for a full and quick recovery.

When I moved here last year, I did some research and learned there are actually four venemous snakes in indiana. The Copperhead is the most common. There are also timber rattlers, the eastern massasagua rattlesnake, and some cottonmouths.

http://www.campatterbury.in.ng.mil/...sonous Snakes/Poisonous Snakes of Indiana.pps

 

[Banshee]

Seen a fair amount of these around lake james. Didn't think they were that rare. I hope they take the snake to court and get the money they deserve

 

[birdslayer]

http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/snakes.pdf Probably more likely to step on one during shroomin than Hunting seasons... I lived down south and worked out west... Ill a take couple indiana's endangered snakes any day... My prayers go out to the boy and his family

.Hard to educate the public if its not something you see everyday... at least outwest it part of the lifestyle so you know what to look for and how to act.. not so much in Indiana

Outwest the saying is like florida's: lake, Pond, Ditch or Puddle if it holds water its got a snake or gaitor in it... out west its: Hen House, Outhouse, Dog House woodpile or a Rock if its got shade its got a snake under it.
That was my rule of thumb anyway... lets hope for a speedy recovery to the boy...

 

[trophyhunter]

in fact there is another small timber rattler in northern Indiana too

There sure are, and they were alive and well in South West Michigan. I grep up in the area 30+ years back and our creek bed areas were infested with them.

You didn't dare go down there with out some #12 .22lr shot in the pistol.

Some people can't understand why people like me will dispatch one post haste, -I like myself, family members and pets / livestock a whole lot better than any venomous snake.

 

[curraheeguns]

I will be staying there for next weekends North Zone duck opener. I'll find the suspect and dish out some street justice....

 

[chraland51]

Many moons ago as a Boy Scout and Explorer when I used to go to Camp Big Island near Rome City on Sylvan Lake, the staff would occasionally catch and kill an occasional rattlesnake crawling around the island. I have actually seen them several times, but never had a stick to pin their heads so that I could have caught it. I do not remember them being aggressive, large or ever biting anyone. This was in the early to mid-sixties years before the camp closed. I am pretty sure that they are listed on the endangered species list and are normally legally protected.

 

[Ogre]

Killem all...

 

[TomN]

I teach nature courses at Culver Woodcraft Camp and the Massaugua is part of my "things to leave alone" lessons. Prayers for the young man.

M wife works down there too. Small world.