Impressive indeed, and all snakes are valuable on the homestead, including the venomous ones.

That said, knowing that we have them around here as well, I am concerned about my animals' safety, but short of keeping them locked in the house 24/7, I have to trust their survival instincts to keep them safe.

Interestingly, I was recently told by a gentleman who grew up near here that copperheads release a scent like a cucumber before they strike, which I hadn't heard before.

A couple of evenings later, a friend told us about some YouTube videos showing cats jumping straight up when someone brought a cut cucumber up behind them, and I wondered aloud whether it was because they associated the smell with a dangerous snake.

Evidently some people can smell snake musk and others can't, but if I'm walking in the woods and suddenly smell cucumber, I'll at least be paying attention.

Love your photos. Gorgeous animal.

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