"so let's say i get bit....how long before serious damage kicks in? anyone know?"
That depends on so many factors it's almost impossible to say for sure. Depends on;
How large you are
How old you are
Possible pre-existing health conditions
size/age of snake
location of bite
And so on and so on. You may also have NO effects as about 50% of bites are "dry bites" where no venom is injected (they often prefer to save that for prey if possible). Generally the wound will ooze if venom was injected. At that point you generally have around 30 minutes or so until redness and swelling set in, followed by increasingly severe symptoms.
One important thing to note if bitten aside from seek treatment immediately (obviously) is do not panic or run. Increasing your heart rate increases the speed at which the venom works. So if bitten, try to remain calm and walk leisurely to where you can get to help.
And yeah, I've seen a lot of that kind of thing. People post here about going nuts on and killing snakes in the woods, not even on trails...and often not even venomous snakes. In all fairness, sometimes it was venomous species on people's properties and may have been more reasonable, but it's still always kind of a bummer to see.
Z NEDCMK1 -
Most likely scenario is that the snake will not release venom.
In the case of a bite take off all rings, watches, jewelry ecr. Tournequet above the bite. Call 911.
YES, also remove any rings and jewelry!
However, it has been found in recent years that a tourniquet is actually a bad idea for snake bites and can in fact make things worse (as well as icing it).
"In Tennessee, a well-meaning passerby used a tourniquet to help a farmer who'd been bitten by a snake. When the farmer arrived at the hospital, his blood pressure was so low from the tourniquet around his arm that he was only minutes from death [source: UPI]. Another treatment that's fallen out of favor is icing the bite area. Doctors advise against this, as it may cause the venom to stay in one place, which creates worse tissue damage than if the venom had spread out a bit."
Another important thing is to try and hold the wound below heart level. For example, if you were bitten on the hand or forearm try to hold it down, never raising it over the level of your chest (or ideally, at all). Doing so will help the venom spread faster.
SCREW YOU GUYS!!!!
j/k
Northern black racer (no racism) snake in Harriman. I hike there all the time and see those everywhere. 2 years ago I saw one at Kanuwake Circle and asked the Ranger there and that's what she told me. 
Musashi - Not a Rattler.
It's a Souther Garter. They have a false rattle. Completely harmless.
Dude that's just mean....lol
"Northern black racer"
They lack the pattern seen on the snake in the video. They also have a more long, slender build than the snake seen in the video.
Which was a black phase Timber rattler, just like this one (also from NY);
http://www.scalesandtails.com/images/aptomh.jpg
I AM A MOFO -So come on, spill, what have you got in your collection just now?Musashi - Not a Rattler.
It's a Souther Garter. They have a false rattle. Completely harmless.
Dude that's just mean....lol
"Northern black racer"
They lack the pattern seen on the snake in the video. They also have a more long, slender build than the snake seen in the video.
Which was a black phase Timber rattler, just like this one (also from NY);
http://www.scalesandtails.com/images/aptomh.jpg
Thanks Z Ned!
At the moment just boids, nothing venomous (not me in pic, btw). Currently I have three retics (1 normal phase female from the bloodline of Bob Clark's Fluffy, and a tiger het for albino pair), 1 female afrock (Sebae), and a pair of green condas.
That's basically my "core" group that isn't going anywhere. I have other things come and go, for various reasons. Recently got a Sulawesi retic out of here (wild caught :/ ) that I was treating for mouth rot and an upper respiratory infection (Woo!, she was a cunt lol).
BTW, why does your handle seem so familiar? You don't breed burms, do you? I know I recognize that name, lol.
It's a Brown Recluse Trowser Snake.
Ryan Prouty -.
fuck ALL snakes. period.
For later
bigwignj - For later
big wig the band i used to see at local VFWs around jersey back in the 90s?
Beautiful black phase timber rattler. Lucky you!
To add to what others have been saying about venom, dry bites, etc., the neonates are born with the ability to bite and inject venom. It is often said that the neonates and younger pitvipers are actually more dangerous because they have less control over how much venom they inject per bite. It is very metabolically taxing for a snake to produce venom, so once they can control it they will tend toward a 'dry bite' in self defense (as I AM A MOFO stated).
New2MMA -
Beautiful black phase timber rattler. Lucky you!
To add to what others have been saying about venom, dry bites, etc., the neonates are born with the ability to bite and inject venom. It is often said that the neonates and younger pitvipers are actually more dangerous because they have less control over how much venom they inject per bite. It is very metabolically taxing for a snake to produce venom, so once they can control it they will tend toward a 'dry bite' in self defense (as I AM A MOFO stated).
im only slightly familiar with herp terms
from what i understand , "phase", refers to less common color/pattern variations of a certain snake? (used to own frogs)
how common or uncommon is a black phase timber?
I almost stepped on one of those in northern NJ. It never made a peep. I think it was a little chilly that day if I do remember correctly so it could have been a little sluggish. Those things are masters at camouflage.
I AM A MOFO - Thanks Z Ned!No man, we had discussed at length your collection on another thread a while back. I've always been fascinated by snakes so I'm sure I asked you loads of questions!
At the moment just boids, nothing venomous (not me in pic, btw). Currently I have three retics (1 normal phase female from the bloodline of Bob Clark's Fluffy, and a tiger het for albino pair), 1 female afrock (Sebae), and a pair of green condas.
That's basically my "core" group that isn't going anywhere. I have other things come and go, for various reasons. Recently got a Sulawesi retic out of here (wild caught :/ ) that I was treating for mouth rot and an upper respiratory infection (Woo!, she was a cunt lol).
BTW, why does your handle seem so familiar? You don't breed burms, do you? I know I recognize that name, lol.
My kid would love a snake, but I'm just not convinced I know enough. So no. Unless you can breed a burm with an elderly Labrador who's been neutered, I'm afraid you're looking for someone else!
In Limbo -New2MMA -
Beautiful black phase timber rattler. Lucky you!
To add to what others have been saying about venom, dry bites, etc., the neonates are born with the ability to bite and inject venom. It is often said that the neonates and younger pitvipers are actually more dangerous because they have less control over how much venom they inject per bite. It is very metabolically taxing for a snake to produce venom, so once they can control it they will tend toward a 'dry bite' in self defense (as I AM A MOFO stated).
im only slightly familiar with herp terms
from what i understand , "phase", refers to less common color/pattern variations of a certain snake? (used to own frogs)
how common or uncommon is a black phase timber?
Regarding your description of phase, that is correct. Most timbers are commonly known by the caramel and black coloration known as 'pinebrake'. These are found both in coastal plains and in mountains. Down south the timbers in the coastal plain areas typically have a pink ground color with an orange stripe running down them, these are called 'canebrakes', and are pretty beautiful. Then in the mountains you'll find both yellow phase and black phase timbers.
There are some really nice pictures around of both yellow and black phase timbers basking together and the contrast makes for a really spectacular picture, they look like completely different snakes except the morphology is the same. They are really amazing and misunderstood creatures.
Sorry I didn't answer your last question. I don't know what the percentage of black phase timbers is per population numbers, but I believe (maybe incorrectly) that black phase timbers are not necessarily uncommon, but have uneven distributions among their range. For a hypothetical example, you may be more likely to find them in black phase in the mountains of North Carolina vs. in the coastal plain of North Carolina (near the shores).
I AM A MOFO - Also, the snake never stopped which they generally will if they rattle. That's there "I'm making my stand here" noise. That guy was clearly more interested in getting back to the cover of trees and brush than trying to fight or scare you off.VU for impressive knowledge of snakes
BTW, VU for not killing the snake on sight as so many of these threads tend to turn out....
New2MMA -Clearly this cat knows his snakes too. VU
Sorry I didn't answer your last question. I don't know what the percentage of black phase timbers is per population numbers, but I believe (maybe incorrectly) that black phase timbers are not necessarily uncommon, but have uneven distributions among their range. For a hypothetical example, you may be more likely to find them in black phase in the mountains of North Carolina vs. in the coastal plain of North Carolina (near the shores).
Ah alright Jim. I was confusing you with a guy who posted on a snake forum I was banned from several years ago (for saying it would be understandable if they stopped importing exotic snakes to Florida which pissed off an admin who either lived or shipped there a lot).
And you could always start your kid off with a small native species like a corn or rat snake. Requires a minimal research for care but won't hurt anyone . Never know what you could be starting though lol.
And thanks Bick Koxer! And yes props to new2.