Image 13

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Summer Camp 2007 – Ben Gallager is skinning a copperhead snake that he caught in our creek while the riders observe. Please see webmaster comments below.

Hello Nancy, While making the changes to your website I noticed that the snake in question is being called a copperhead. I believe it to be a member of the genus Elaphe which contains various constrictors, all NON-poisonous. As an amateur herpetologist and local snake expert, I have had the opportunity to examine hundreds of specimens of both species. Your snake is, I believe, a rather drab example of a corn snake, perhaps one fixing to shed its skin. I don't mention this to detract from the achievement of your youthful dragon-slayer. If he thought it was poisonous, then his bravado should not be excoriated. Rather I think it might ease your mind concerning the safety of your beloved animals. Your woods may be crawling alive with copperheads, I don't know, but if this is the only perceived sighting of one, I don't think you have to worry. I have enclosed a montage of some images of the two reptiles and (just for fun) a picture of a western-style gunslinger belt and holster I once made.