Wild Animals on the ICW

[Ocean Girl]

P.S.
I am deathly afraid of snakes, I live aboard a boat in the deep south and Kayak daily (I love it!!). So far no snakes (she says quietly so Murphy's law doesn't hear her)


Welcome to the forum
Erika

[DrivenByTheWind]

Forget about snakes - you need to worry about the fish:

Barracuda jumps into boat, attacks 14-year-old girl » Naples Daily News

Ray jumps, kills boater off Florida Keys | Reuters

And I am reminded of a friend's story:
He was a soldier(I can't remember what military branch) and had just returned from a tour of duty somewhere in Central America (this was in the late 80's). He told me that they were traveling by boat down the Canal or some Amazon tributary when a black panther jumped from a tree and attacked him. Another soldier reacted by shooting the panther dead(which is completely understandable in my book). They were court marshaled(or almost court marshaled) over the event - apparently it is illegal to kill an endangered animal even if it is attacking your friend. The two soldiers were ultimately fined quite a hefty sum in the end I believe and my friend was discharged due to his injuries - I saw the claw mark scars that ran from the front of his shoulder and went over and down his back.

But seriously, you need to worry more about the mosquitoes!

[Reluctantsailor]

Thanks everyone you have made me feel better about it, it is nice talking with people who have first hand experience traveling down there or who live in the area. We drove some of the route last winter on our way to florida and it was beautiful and I am looking forward to doing the trip on the boat, just nervous.

[Reluctantsailor]

DrivenbyWind you sure are not helping... did I mention my mortal fear of fish? LOL

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by DrivenByTheWind

Forget about snakes - you need to worry about the fish:

Barracuda jumps into boat, attacks 14-year-old girl » Naples Daily News

Ray jumps, kills boater off Florida Keys | Reuters

Just want to emphasize the bit about rays. My wife was hit by a large spotted eagle ray while we were heading to the beach in our dink in Georgetown a few years ago. She was hurt badly and was lucky to survive. It's like being hit by an 80 pound bag of sand while going 20+ m.p.h. If you are in an area where rays have been seen jumping, take care!

[Boracay]

A snake curled up on a path can look just like a piece of old rope in dim light.




I don't know about those American snakes but the rule with Aussie snakes is to make a bit of noise as you go through the bush so they don't get surprised. (May not work with Tiger Snakes).

[Fullmoon]

We did the ICW in May from Brunswick, GA to Ft. Lauderdale. It is like a stroll through the park. Unless you make an effort, you won't be under any trees and we saw nothing to be afraid of. The most interesting part of the trip was the lack of humans. No one sitting out in the morning having coffee and no one out for cocktails in the evening. The most exciting part of the trip was trying to time the distance between draw bridges so you don't have to wait. Most of the time you can turn on the autopilot, sit back, and enjoy the view. To me the ICW is to sailing what the merry-go-round is to horseback riding. I did enjoy the trip though.

[gettinthere]

Better hurry up and head south, Mississauga rattler sightings & bites is up substantially in Canada!!!! Safer down south

[Reluctantsailor]

gettinthere - See this is why I moved from southern Ontario to Prince Edward Island - no snakes

[BlueSeas]

FYI - Only one large snake climbs trees in Texas. That would be the Rat Snake and he is not poisonous. He will do wonders for your rodent population however...

[stevensc]

You will probably be more likely to win the lottery, or be hit by lightning, than to be bitten by a snake poisonous or otherwise.
Wasps are a different story watch out for them.
Just be carefull where you stick your hands and feet. you'll be fine
Steve

[IdoraKeeper]

No matter where you go, it's the two legged animals you have to watch out for.
Maybe arachnids if your ever in PNW in fall.
Todd

[Reluctantsailor]

So just when I am slowly coming to terms with the snakes I had a lady from North Carolina tell me that whatever I do don't let my dogs in the water on the ICW because Alligators love to eat dogs..they have been known to grab them right off the transom and beaches. I have two big dogs but she said didn't matter the size they eat them all...

[svtadpole]

You don't HAVE to go the whole trip in the ICW ... if the wind & weather are favourable get out into salt water & sail down inshore ... there are lots of places to hop back in if the weather kicks up ...

[xxuxx]

Originally Posted by Reluctantsailor

So just when I am slowly coming to terms with the snakes I had a lady from North Carolina tell me that whatever I do don't let my dogs in the water on the ICW because Alligators love to eat dogs..they have been known to grab them right off the transom and beaches. I have two big dogs but she said didn't matter the size they eat them all...

<Hmmmmm.....thinking....> What worries me is that she said nothing about "Bigfoot"!!!