copperhead question---not about chickens though, please look.

[agnes_day]

ok..today, i opened the drawer of my sewing table and found an 18 inch copperhead, nestled under some fabric. i almost got bit by the thing too!
here is a picture of the type of table i have.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:...3HFLXQ&t=1&usg=__Q4UWxvNfzJHPVJntk-92Boealjs=

its completely sealed in the back, and there is less than a half inch gap on the bottom..the drawers were tightly shut, and the drawer part is completely separate and sealed from the rest of the table. also, i found it in the second drawer and i am wondering about the plausibility of it having squeezed under the tiny gap, and then climbing upwards in an even smaller gap to reach that particular drawer. i honestly think it was a certain child of mine but i just need a second opinion..i am so freaked out right now because this snake was MAD when i almost grabbed it.

 

[ranchhand]

Oh. My.

I doubt the 18" copperhead made it into the house without help, much less into the drawer. Said young'un would be getting some pretty stern dicipline around here! For a looooong time, as well as some educationg about the dangers and identification of venomous snakes. Possibly some therapy, too, for dangerous intentions and/or anger issues, depending upon the age.

Hope you don't still need a defibrillator!

 

[Imp]

OK OK you win agnes_day,

That certainly beats my spider in the silverware drawer story.

Imp-has lived his entire life in the virtually snake free world

ETA- Glad you are OK. Are they poisonous?

 

[redhen]

You win!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would have pee'd myself..then croaked.

 

[Mahonri]

Um, that snake was put there on purpose.

Did someone just take out a life insurance policy on you?

 

[JROOSTER]

There are no snakes in ALASKA!!

 

[StupidBird]

IMHO, trying to figure out how things happen in a house with children is a waste of time and energy, something I've given up on. How about pulling all the suspects/children together and have a safety talk complete with internet supplied photos of peoples fingers after being bit by poisonous snakes. Don't bother with a blame game, just be very certain all understand how dangerous snakes are and to help Mom try to keep them out of the house. If the parties are innocent, a lecture on snakes in your area is good anyway. If guilty, then guilt trip is self administered. And, I have found kids often have a fresh point of view on problem solving - and may just figure out how snakes happen into the house. That's a pretty small snake and would fit in some pretty small holes.

I nearly drove myself nuts last week trying to figure out who put the watermelon in the freezer. Maybe I did it. Or the kids. Who cares, it turns out frozen watermelon scrapes into watermelon ice and is quite tasty.

 

[agnes_day]

oh no, i know who it was. i have a teenager who is...less than nice and he knows about snakes, unfortunately.
thanks everyone.

i knew the answer, just wanted some more experienced people to chime in.

 

[annageckos]

Copperheads are pretty think snakes, it is unlikely to have gotten in by it's self. Though, are you sure it was not a watersnake? They look very similar to copperheads, and if you are not a 'snake person' can look identical.

Edit to add

In OK you have broad banded copperheads, you also have four species of watesnakes(depending where exactly you are) with the broad banded watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) looking similar.

 

[Debbi]

Well, don't send the kid off to juvy quite yet! Number one, why is the sewing machine outside?? Number two, where the foot controller cord goes up into the cabinet, there can be enough room for a snake to crawl in. Once inside the frame, the drawers would be open to him. A nice warm cozy place for a snake. If the kid did do it, I'd be sending his arse to Boy's Town, there is something seriously wrong with him!