Talk:Nerodia sipedon
Statements needing references
[edit]This statement needs references, "personal experience" is not verifiable:
- These snakes defend themselves viciously when they are threatened. If they are picked up by an animal, or person, they will bite, as well as release poop and musk (bad smelling liquid). The Audubon Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians states that thie saliva contains an anticoagulant which can cause its bite wounds to bleed profusely. A small dog getting bitten by a water snake has been known to bleed to death internally (personal experience) Such deaths can be mistaken for accidental ingestion of rat poison, since death can occur several days after the event.
This is interesting information, but it needs to be documented. Also, the edit that inserted this information seems to have removed other, valid, information, subheadings, and a reference source. --Cotinis 17:58, 31 July 2006 (UTC)