Neighbor lied about seeing a copperhead

[Anonymous]

I'm an avid outdoors person and, aside from my immediate family, am very much a loner. I spend most of my free time tending to and landscaping my wooded property of 3+ acres in MD.

My next door neighbor and I sometimes exchange texts (and even less frequently talk on the phone). We're friendly/neighborly, but not close. Years ago I shared with him that while being outside is therapeutic for me--I have an irrational fear of all snakes. Though our homes are spaced a distance apart, he can see me around my yard, especially in the fall and winter when the leaves have fallen.

Earlier today, after I came back inside from a few minutes walk around my yard I received a text from the neighbor. The text read, "Copperhead--nice camouflage!" accompanied with a copperhead snake hiding in leaves. Frightened that he saw this snake outside of his house, I asked if he'd seen it on his property. He texted back "Yes, in my side yard while I was picking up sticks". I went through the rest of the day worrying like hell. Then something made me Google image "copperhead camouflage"--the very first photo is the picture he texted to me--which went viral in 2017 and was taken in Texas!

This evening I am really struggling with understanding why anyone would want to cause this kind of fear for anyone. And try to harm someone's joy of the outdoors. Makes me even more hermitish, which I understand is not really healthy. What would you do, if anything?

[Anonymous]

They may not know what a copperhead looks like exactly…

[Anonymous]

I think you're likely jumping to negative conclusions. It's kind of weird, but lots of people would send a photo of *A* copperhead camouflaged to illustrate what they are saying, not *THE* copperhead they saw.

My mom does stuff like this all the time. It's frustrating, but it is what it is.

Copperheads are around here, though.

[Anonymous]

That is very very odd. He sounds kinda crazy, so I would continue to pretend like you are friends, and act the same as usual, but internally be very wary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're likely jumping to negative conclusions. It's kind of weird, but lots of people would send a photo of *A* copperhead camouflaged to illustrate what they are saying, not *THE* copperhead they saw.

My mom does stuff like this all the time. It's frustrating, but it is what it is.

Copperheads are around here, though.

This. OP your neighbor may have seen a copperhead, didn't have their phone to take an actual photograph at the time, so sent you an example of one that's camouflaged (on teh google) that looks like what he saw just to give you an idea of what to look out for.

[Anonymous]

Tell him you killed it, or an exterminator did, utthey are known to traveling pairs (true) and keep his eyes peeled for the mate. See how he responds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're likely jumping to negative conclusions. It's kind of weird, but lots of people would send a photo of *A* copperhead camouflaged to illustrate what they are saying, not *THE* copperhead they saw.

My mom does stuff like this all the time. It's frustrating, but it is what it is.

Copperheads are around here, though.

What makes you think he was trying to say that he saw a venemous snake and took a picture of it? He saw a copperhead, sent you the photo that comes up first when you Google it because he googled to confirm his identification of it. I am terrified of snakes and would have preferred he do this without a photo, but nothing seems off here. He was warning you.

[Anonymous]

Just text back “oh no! Did you take that photo?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They may not know what a copperhead looks like exactly…

+1. i wouldn't

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're likely jumping to negative conclusions. It's kind of weird, but lots of people would send a photo of *A* copperhead camouflaged to illustrate what they are saying, not *THE* copperhead they saw.

My mom does stuff like this all the time. It's frustrating, but it is what it is.

Copperheads are around here, though.

What makes you think he was trying to say that he saw a venemous snake and took a picture of it? He saw a copperhead, sent you the photo that comes up first when you Google it because he googled to confirm his identification of it. I am terrified of snakes and would have preferred he do this without a photo, but nothing seems off here. He was warning you.

Agree. Doesn’t seem like there’s any nefarious intent here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just text back “oh no! Did you take that photo?”

But why? Who cares if he did or if he didn’t. It would be a different story if he sent the photo and said “look at this pic I took of a copperhead in my yard!” But he didn’t.

[Anonymous]

It was a joke!

[Anonymous]

I agree with PPs.

Also, OP, I beg you to seek psychiatric help for your phobia. They will have solutions for you, and you will be able to enjoy the outdoors with more peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

I saw baby copperheads on the canal a few weeks ago - durinf a spurt of warm weather that went away again.

It is good to be careful but not fearful since they leave you alone if you leave them alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just text back “oh no! Did you take that photo?”

But why? Who cares if he did or if he didn’t. It would be a different story if he sent the photo and said “look at this pic I took of a copperhead in my yard!” But he didn’t.

DP. It doesn't really matter, but OP is distressed wondering if he played a lied to her. This is an easy way to find out, if he lies and says "yes, I took the photo" she'll know. If he responds that it's a stock photo then she'll know he wasn't trying to torment her.