Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 11
L
ast summer, The Wall Street Journal and other
news outlets reported an increase in venomous
snakebites in the Southeast, with some blaming
the preceding warm, wet winter. Some predicted
similar dangers for 2020.
Not so fast, says Chris Ogle, wildlife surveys
manager for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency in Morristown.
"I think it is more a coincidence and maybe more just
the reporting of it," he says. "We don't track numbers
like we would on the elk herd on North Cumberland,
but we do keep up with inventory and monitoring and
we haven't noticed any kind of major increase."
The Blue Ridge region is home to just two types of
venomous species: the timber rattlesnake and the more
common copperhead, which Ogle says are pretty evenly
distributed in the mountains of Tennessee, West Virginia and other Southeastern states. They prefer overgrown
fields, forests and rocky outcrops where they can hide
thanks to their camouflage coloring. Of the numerous
snakebites Ogle has experienced in the course of his career, none have been from venomous species, although
twice he came close when he got near a rocky area.
Most hikers encounter the reptiles on sunny trails, he
points out. "[Snakes] go there because they don't thermoregulate their own body temperatures. They're not
A Present
of the Past
C R E AT U R E F E AT U R E
like us. They have to use outside forces to warm up their
body heat to either be active or hunt or digest prey or if
they are pregnant."
Like most wild animals, snakes generally strike only if
threatened. And even a venomous one may inflict a "dry
bite" to save venom, which is costly for their bodies to
produce.
"They're not going to chase you down," Ogle says.
"The snake doesn't want to bite you. It wants to get
away. ... You're a giant compared to that snake. If a
giant picked you up, you'd probably do whatever you
could to get away from it."
All types of snakes benefit humans by eating mice,
rats and other pests, Ogle notes. The black king species
and others will even eat their venomous cousins because
the toxin doesn't bother them. "So they play a vital, important role in the environment."
The timber rattlesnake, like most wild animals,
strikes only when threatened.
B
oyhood home of Stonewall Jackson. The best musky fishing in the
state. Home to West Virginia's largest yard sale. 18 championship holes
designed by Arnold Palmer. The scariest paranormal tour in the region.
Destination for your next legendary get-away. It's Stonewall Country.
CREAT E L EG EN DA RY A DV EN T URES AT STO N EWA L LCO UN T RY.C O M
MAY/JUNE 2020
11
http://www.STONEWALLCOUNTRY.COM
http://www.STONEWALLCOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - Intro
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - Cover1
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - Cover2
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 3
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 4
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 5
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 6
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 7
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 8
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 9
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 10
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 11
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 12
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 13
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 14
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 15
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 16
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 17
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 18
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 19
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 20
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 21
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 22
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 23
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 24
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 25
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 26
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 27
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 28
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 29
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 30
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 31
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 32
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 33
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 34
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 35
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 36
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 37
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 38
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 39
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 40
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 41
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 42
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 43
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 44
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 45
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 46
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 47
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 48
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 49
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 50
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 51
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 52
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 53
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 54
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 55
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 56
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 57
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 58
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 59
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 60
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 61
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 62
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 63
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 64
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 65
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - 66
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - Cover3
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG1
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG2
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG3
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG4
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG5
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG6
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG7
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG8
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG9
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG10
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG11
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG12
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG13
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG14
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG15
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG16
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG17
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG18
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG19
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG20
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG21
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG22
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG23
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG24
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG25
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG26
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG27
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG28
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG29
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG30
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG31
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - BPG32
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2020 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-nov-dec-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-sept-oct-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-july-august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-may-june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-march-april-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-january-february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-november-december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-sept-oct-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-july-august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-may-june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-march-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-january-february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-november-december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-september-october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-july-august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-may-june-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/BlueRidgeCountryMarchApril2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/blue-ridge-country-january-february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/BRCND21
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/BRCSO21
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brcja21
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2021_0506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2021_0304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2021_0102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2020_11_12
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2020_0910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2020_0708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2020_0506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2020_0304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2020_0102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2019_1112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2019_0910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2019_0708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2019_0506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2019_0304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2019_0102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2018_1112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2018_0910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2018_0708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2018_0506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2018_0304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2018_0102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2017_1112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2017_0910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2017_0708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2017_0506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_2017_0304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20160910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20150102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20140708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20140304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20140102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20130910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/brc_20130708
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com