you're definitely right about the distinct sound. I've seen five up there in that area, and been rattled at twice. I can tell you, the first time, I was already fifteen feet away and sprinting before I had even realized what had happened. If you've never heard it before and you're not expecting it, it just triggers an instinctual fight-or-flight reaction. I hope they don't make too many more cameo appearance in my life, but I do what I can to avoid them. Sharp and I aren't stupid, and we don't go around trying to pick them up (which is frequently what results in most bites). We also usually tap ahead of us with walking sticks when we're forced to walk through prime snake habitat, so we don't surprise them.