Vipers and campers.
By topffer
@topffer (42155)
France
May 6, 2010 11:32am CST
A small snake can be dangerous. Vipers are small but venomous. The cattle ranchers know that a viper can not kill a cow, but they are afraid by vipers for another reason. These snakes enjoy to suck cows. When a cow has been sucked by a viper, its milk is pink and believed to be poisonous, though scientists are not sure about that.
Vipers are also dangerous for campers, especially when they are doing camping in the open. They have to inspect carefully their tents, their clothes and their sleeping bags before going to sleep. I don't know if this is true but I heard that a woman who was camping had a bad surprise when she woke up : two vipers were sucking her br**sts 
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Would you like to feed a venomous snake ?
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Would you like to feed a venomous snake ?3 people like this
6 responses
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
9 Jun 10
It seems strange that the milk would be pink, especially since the viper would be extracting the milk from the cow rather than injecting milk into the cow.
If this really were true, though, then scientists could easily test the milk to determine whether or not it was poisonous ... as we now have the technology to do it!
I think that this whole thing is an urban legend, especially the part about the woman waking to the vipers. However, I do know that snakes will climb inside a sleeping bag and curl up next to you, especially when it is cold at night. This is because they can't regulate their own body temperature and are drawing heat from your body ... you become their personal heater, and they don't even have to pay for the fuel!
If this really were true, though, then scientists could easily test the milk to determine whether or not it was poisonous ... as we now have the technology to do it! I think that this whole thing is an urban legend, especially the part about the woman waking to the vipers. However, I do know that snakes will climb inside a sleeping bag and curl up next to you, especially when it is cold at night. This is because they can't regulate their own body temperature and are drawing heat from your body ... you become their personal heater, and they don't even have to pay for the fuel!1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
9 Jun 10
LOL @ "rural legend"!
Yes, you do have a point about the milk being pink from blood if the cow got hurt. That would make sense. It was an interesting discussion, even if it wasn't based on scientific fact. As to the woman, if it really happened, even with one snake, then she was either sleeping nakey or it was a very talented snake! 
1 person likes this
@topffer (42155)
• France
9 Jun 10
It is true that vipers suck cows, but you are right with the pink milk. The milk can be pink when a cow hurts itself -- there is blood in the milk, and it can't be drank -- and two centuries ago people were thinking that it was the fault of the vipers. The science knows this today, and knew probably it when I started this discussion 
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For the woman, one viper would be more credible, but I heard this story with two. It is not because I started this discussion in "Urban legends", that this story is an "urban legend". Not at all : it is a guaranteed "rural legend" 
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For the woman, one viper would be more credible, but I heard this story with two. It is not because I started this discussion in "Urban legends", that this story is an "urban legend". Not at all : it is a guaranteed "rural legend" .1 person likes this
@cream97 (29085)
• United States
9 Jun 10
Hi, topffer. Ughhhh...
That is one of the main reasons why I don't like any kinds of snakes. All because of snakes like this. I know that I would never go camping if snakes are around. We just don't know what is lurking behind the bushes and trees.
That is one of the main reasons why I don't like any kinds of snakes. All because of snakes like this. I know that I would never go camping if snakes are around. We just don't know what is lurking behind the bushes and trees.1 person likes this
@cream97 (29085)
• United States
9 Jun 10
Hi, topffer. I don't blame you. I would take the sharpest wooden stick there is too. I don't want some slimy snake trying to bite me when I least expect it too. I think that it is best to wear long pants and closed up shoes when walking into the woods. There is just no telling what all pests is inside of the woods waiting to see whom it can devour.
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
6 May 10
Meaning that if there was a viper, I would not be alone?
I would not have been alone but now I will not be there at all!
Not in a camper I can assure you!
I would not have been alone but now I will not be there at all!
Not in a camper I can assure you!1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
8 May 10
I don't have a dog
and if I did I would not like it to be hurt by a snake either.
I think it is best if I avoid both camping and the wilderness 
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
6 May 10
Im not into camping but now I know I'll never be for sure.
Ewwww that is SO scary!!
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
7 May 10
Haha, yes I think it might be a bear but to be honest, Ive never seen one as of yet.....touch wood!! I know someone who did though, she was having a nice walk in the mountains and out of the woods walks a bear, she just froze and he went away.
We have mosquitoes does that count?
1 person likes this
@Bellapop (1279)
•
4 Jul 10
Well, I hope i am never ina situation of having to meet a venomous snake, apparently as long as the poison doesn't enter blood stream then a venomous snake can be perfectly harmless to us. The venom is mainly used to help the snake to digest the food, so without reason, unless the snake felt threatened or was being attacked, it's unlikely to want to bite. :)
