She-ra Posted May 11, 2015 #1 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Well we had this little visitor at our front door just now. It's some sort of Black snake or garden snake and my husband caught it. I was wondering if anyone knew exactly what kind of snake it is? The snake has been let go now behind our house in a very wooded area so I can't take any more pictures. My dogs were going nutso, crazy trying to get it so I had to click really quickly and then hubby took it back outside to release it. Notice my one dogs eyes in the background of the picture - she was not too happy The other, younger dog was hiding by my legs. Silly dogs! Was just curious if anyone knew what kind of snake it is? It was about 3 and a half feet long (a little bigger than a yard stick) and it was just hanging out right at my front door. It's very hot and humid today for the first time in a long while so I'm thinking it was just hot in its hole and came out to get some air or something? Here is the picture Oh and that's my hubby's arm - I'm standing *back and away* taking the picture 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted May 11, 2015 #2 Share Posted May 11, 2015 I think it might be a Black Rat Snake http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Blackratsnake.cfm Pics of them I've seen all seem to have that mottled look to their "belly" scales... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 11, 2015 Author #3 Share Posted May 11, 2015 I think it might be a Black Rat Snake http://nationalzoo.s...ackratsnake.cfm Pics of them I've seen all seem to have that mottled look to their "belly" scales... Oh YES!! BINGO! I think that's exactly right. Thank so much Taun When I clicked and saw the picture there it is exactly what this snake looked like! Cool. Thank you!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenemet Posted May 11, 2015 #4 Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) What a beauty! He's protcting your property from other snakes, from rats, and from mice and the occasional squirrel! If you were in Texas, I'd identify it as a yellow-bellied racer (but I'd have been wrong.) Black rat snake -- what a great snake to have around! Edited May 11, 2015 by Kenemet 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KariW Posted May 11, 2015 #5 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Good ID. Taun! That's exactly it! Boy he does look kind of big wrapped around your husband's hand, She-ra! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 11, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted May 11, 2015 What a beauty! He's protcting your property from other snakes, from rats, and from mice and the occasional squirrel! If you were in Texas, I'd identify it as a yellow-bellied racer (but I'd have been wrong.) Black rat snake -- what a great snake to have around! Yes we want to make sure he stays close -not at my front door though and he can help with the field mice and stuff. He's great to have around - I just read a lot about him thanks to Taun's article. Good ID. Taun! That's exactly it! Boy he does look kind of big wrapped around your husband's hand, She-ra! My husband has very large hands and (I lovingly refer to them as) *Popeye* forearms so yes, this was a very big snake. He looked a little scared too so I made sure hubby put him in the woods - nice place for a snake- close to the side of our property and down the way a bit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KariW Posted May 11, 2015 #7 Share Posted May 11, 2015 My husband and I do a lot of tent camping in the wilderness, far off the beaten path. When we were breaking down our campsite a few years back, and had folded up our tent we found this guy underneath it. The night before, our dogs started growling at something underneath the floor, and kind of scratching at it. At the time we had no idea that they had alerted to a rattlesnake. He was very sluggish and we had a hard time getting him off the tent pad. I am so glad he didn't manage to crawl into our tent while we were sleeping! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-C Posted May 11, 2015 #8 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Very nice! Sure looks like a black rat snake according to their description. We've got too many poisonous ones here to pick up anything unless identified (even nonpoisonous can leave you with an infected bite). I'm reading about them now. The black rat snake also has slightly keeled scales (raised ridge along the middle of each scale) but I can't tell from the photo. It would give them a bit of a rough feel rather than smooth. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-C Posted May 11, 2015 #9 Share Posted May 11, 2015 My husband and I do a lot of tent camping in the wilderness, far off the beaten path. When we were breaking down our campsite a few years back, and had folded up our tent we found this guy underneath it. What a um... "surprise"?! That was nice of it not to get in with you. I guess it was warm enough under you all ! Ever identify it? Where was this? Beautiful snake. How long was it? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 11, 2015 Author #10 Share Posted May 11, 2015 My husband and I do a lot of tent camping in the wilderness, far off the beaten path. When we were breaking down our campsite a few years back, and had folded up our tent we found this guy underneath it. The night before, our dogs started growling at something underneath the floor, and kind of scratching at it. At the time we had no idea that they had alerted to a rattlesnake. He was very sluggish and we had a hard time getting him off the tent pad. I am so glad he didn't manage to crawl into our tent while we were sleeping! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted May 11, 2015 #11 Share Posted May 11, 2015 My husband and I do a lot of tent camping in the wilderness, far off the beaten path. When we were breaking down our campsite a few years back, and had folded up our tent we found this guy underneath it. The night before, our dogs started growling at something underneath the floor, and kind of scratching at it. At the time we had no idea that they had alerted to a rattlesnake. He was very sluggish and we had a hard time getting him off the tent pad. I am so glad he didn't manage to crawl into our tent while we were sleeping! That's why the tents that are completely enclosed are the best things ever invented!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KariW Posted May 11, 2015 #12 Share Posted May 11, 2015 At the time we were thinking it was either a Timber Rattlesnake or Western Cotton Mouth (Water Moccasin ), probably the latter, but I'm no expert on snakes. This happened when we were camping in the Davy Crockett National Forest in east Texas. My husband thought he was kinda small at approximately 2.5 feet, but I'm not so sure. He sure looked BIG to me! LOL 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KariW Posted May 11, 2015 #13 Share Posted May 11, 2015 That's why the tents that are completely enclosed are the best things ever invented!!! That's for sure. Have been trying to talk my husband into one of those off the ground tents that actually hang hammock style from trees. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 19, 2015 Author #14 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Well he's back! Dogs were freaking out and guess who's in their space 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 19, 2015 Author #15 Share Posted May 19, 2015 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 19, 2015 Author #16 Share Posted May 19, 2015 (edited) So here you go KariW. First this snake (and we did figure out it's the exact same snake) came to my front door. Now he was just on the other side of my sliding glass basement door that walks out to the backyard. The dogs *alert* barked INTRUDER! so thank goodness I looked before letting them just run outside. I kept them inside until Hubby took him BACK to the field. I wonder why he keeps visiting me? I did see above - where he is climbing the post of my deck- that there are about 6 bird nests up in the rafters of the decking to the floor. I think he was going up to get some eggs out of those nests maybe? I have a ton of birds and they like to build their nests in my backyard so I think that's what he was doing....dinner. Anyways, he is back to the field again so we will see if he makes a third appearance He really likes it here! Adding: Just for reference - the decking post is 6 inches by 6 inches and about 9 foot tall so you can get an idea of the size of this snake. This post is a huge decking support post and very large Edited May 19, 2015 by She-ra 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KariW Posted May 19, 2015 #17 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Well he's back! Dogs were freaking out and guess who's in their space OMG! I had NO IDEA that snakes could do that? Look how hes climbing that big support! Now I'm really FREAKING out! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KariW Posted May 19, 2015 #18 Share Posted May 19, 2015 So here you go KariW. First this snake (and we did figure out it's the exact same snake) came to my front door. Now he was just on the other side of my sliding glass basement door that walks out to the backyard. The dogs *alert* barked INTRUDER! so thank goodness I looked before letting them just run outside. I kept them inside until Hubby took him BACK to the field. I wonder why he keeps visiting me? I did see above - where he is climbing the post of my deck- that there are about 6 bird nests up in the rafters of the decking to the floor. I think he was going up to get some eggs out of those nests maybe? I have a ton of birds and they like to build their nests in my backyard so I think that's what he was doing....dinner. Anyways, he is back to the field again so we will see if he makes a third appearance He really likes it here! Adding: Just for reference - the decking post is 6 inches by 6 inches and about 9 foot tall so you can get an idea of the size of this snake. This post is a huge decking support post and very large She-ra, I bet you're right about him going after the little bird eggs. Makes perfect sense to me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.ZZ. Posted May 19, 2015 #19 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Speaking of snakes, here is a very thin ZZ (on the right) with friend and Boa in Bangkok. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 19, 2015 Author #20 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Speaking of snakes, here is a very thin ZZ (on the right) with friend and Boa in Bangkok. OMG!!!!!!!! That's is an awesome picture thank you so much for sharing That snake is freaking huge!! That one part is thicker than your neck!! And, by the way, you are absolutely adorable in this picture Awe sweet young little ZZ...how cute *pinches cheeks* 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.ZZ. Posted May 19, 2015 #21 Share Posted May 19, 2015 You're too kind She-ra! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted May 19, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted May 19, 2015 You're too kind She-ra! Please don't take this the wrong way but you resemble my Daddy a little bit when he was young. Here he is (in his 20's) this is his Washington Redskins uniform. But imagine a little younger. You remind me of him 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.ZZ. Posted May 19, 2015 #23 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Please don't take this the wrong way but you resemble my Daddy a little bit when he was young. Here he is (in his 20's) this is his Washington Redskins uniform. But imagine a little younger. You remind me of him How cool! I remember you mentioning him before! It's an honor for me to even be included in the same sentence with your Dad! Wow, a pro football player, that is so awesome 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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