Look what I found when weed wacking around the old grain house that is between my lot and my neighbors. My neighbor says she thinks the snake is a blue racer and is 5-6' long. I better keep my dog Hines away from this building.
Posted by blkragss02 (Member # 1801) on :
Just what I like to see a F-body owner killin' snakes!
[ 22. June 2004, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: blkragss02 ]
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
quote:Originally posted by blkragss02: Just what I like to see a F-body owner killin' snakes!
I have not killed it yet...but if I ever see it in the yard...I will fire up the riding mower and run it over. Posted by WD,30th SS#727 (Member # 107) on :
If you kill it you will regret it. The snake is eating all the rodents that are attracted to the grain. If you didn't have the snake you would see alot more rats and such. If you see it, just let him go on his way. It won't bother you if you don't bother it. It is a benefit to having them around. We have a 7+ foot long black rat snake we named Harold in our yard. The rats and mice will get in your home. The snake won't.
[ 22. June 2004, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: WD,30th SS#727 ]
Posted by 99 HOSS (Member # 109) on :
second that. If you see it, it'll be a black snake, possibly with some grey makings down the middle of the back. It won't have a diamond shaped head (indicitve of venomous snakes), but if cornered will hiss and act tough. If bitten, it'll hurt but definitely not life treatening.
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
quote:Originally posted by WD,30th SS#727: If you kill it you will regret it. The snake is eating all the rodents that are attracted to the grain. If you didn't have the snake you would see alot more rats and such. If you see it, just let him go on his way. It won't bother you if you don't bother it. It is a benefit to having them around. We have a 7+ foot long black rat snake we named Harold in our yard. The rats and mice will get in your home. The snake won't.
Good point. We have a wild cat that seems to get mice. Also have hawks that are always on the look out. I just don't want my dog to wonder over by there. She loves to check that area out. There is no grain inside of that metal building and looks like it was converted to house small animals. There is hay on the floor and one side is all windows with a door.
Posted by jimb0 (Member # 176) on :
I have a "pet" banded water snake in my pond. The yellow bands are not always visibly prominent so it looks almost exactly like a water moccasin, including the diamond shaped head. You should see people's reactions when they catch a glimpse of it.
Posted by westell (Member # 2034) on :
cottonmouth, or any viper has much more defined triangle shaped head. you can't mistake them for non venomous ones.
while working on my trailer on my deer lease, i left the door open and stepped in the trailer and there was a 3 foot long milk snake or coral snake beautiful bright bands, scared the bejeezus out of me red touching yellow = kill a fellow red touching black = friend of jack
luckily, it was a milk snake, and I later found out coral snakes don't get that big, about 1 foot max. just a little baby milk snake is $60. in the pet store. my son likes snakes and said I should have brought it home.
had a puff adder thrown on my head when i was about 5 or 6 and have had a phobia since then Posted by CamaroSSgal (Member # 1870) on :
I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread!!! DAMN...I HATE snakes!!!! That picture just gave me the big time willys!!!!damn...damn...damn
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
quote:Originally posted by CamaroSSgal: I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread!!! DAMN...I HATE snakes!!!! That picture just gave me the big time willys!!!!damn...damn...damn
Sorry! I don't care for snakes either! Posted by FireChicken (Member # 2067) on :
quote:Originally posted by WD,30th SS#727: If you kill it you will regret it. The snake is eating all the rodents that are attracted to the grain. If you didn't have the snake you would see alot more rats and such. If you see it, just let him go on his way. It won't bother you if you don't bother it. It is a benefit to having them around. We have a 7+ foot long black rat snake we named Harold in our yard. The rats and mice will get in your home. The snake won't.
I agree. The only snakes you really have to worry about in the US are rattlesnakes, coral snakes, and the moccasin species.
Rattlers typically like drier climates, and except for a few species, prefer deserts. They will let you know when they are around.
Coral snakes are not very common, and several species of snakes will imitate thier red, yellow, and black banding in an attempt to confuse potential predators. Corn snakes, for example, can be easily confused with coral snakes, but are relatively harmless. Coral snakes have red and yellow bands that touch each other, with intermittent black bands. However, it is important to note that on coral snakes, red and yellow bands touch (red and yellow kill a fellow). Interestingly enough, coral snakes, while among the most venemous in North America, are also not aggressive, and often have to be severely provoked into biting.
The moccasin consists of a variety of non pit-viper venemous species, which vary in color, size, and aggressive tendency. The Copperhead is among the most common species, and likes temperate climates. Its pattern is a mixture of light browns and coppery patterns (hence the name). They are not aggressive, but venemous and will bite humans. The cottonmouth, on the other hand, also known as a water-moccasin, is the b***h of the snake world. They are found near bodies of water such as rivers, ponds, creeks, lakes, etc. they are highly aggressive and territorial, and have been known to chase people in an attempt to defend their territory. they are gray at birth, but turn dark gray-black as adults, with a pale gray underbelly. Venemous as the copperhead, but a lot meaner than their tan cousins.
If you see these three, in a neighborhood, its probably a good idea to waste them. Most of them you can get easily with a shovel or machete. However, a cottonmouth, I would go after with nothing less than a shotgun. You dont wanna miss that one.
As for other snakes, while they may bite, they are usually non-poisonous, and as stated before will hunt rats and other vermin, in much the same way that spiders kill mosquitos and other annoying insects.
Posted by Z28-SORR (Member # 1565) on :
quote:Originally posted by WD,30th SS#727: If you kill it you will regret it. The snake is eating all the rodents that are attracted to the grain. If you didn't have the snake you would see alot more rats and such. If you see it, just let him go on his way. It won't bother you if you don't bother it. It is a benefit to having them around. We have a 7+ foot long black rat snake we named Harold in our yard. The rats and mice will get in your home. The snake won't.
I agree except for the part about getting in your home. We just capture and released a water snake that had taken up sun bathing on our dinning room floor. Well until the dogs saw it, then it when under the china cabinet.
Of course here in Texas we have all the poisonous species found in the US.
Posted by mikerc (Member # 2021) on :
I've always liked snakes. My brother and I used to go hunt them when we were kids. My mother always hated it when we came tromping back into the house after a day in the fields/woods.
We found and caught a king snake once, a ring necked snake, a green snake, a couple of garter snakes. My brother currently has a very cool corn snake he keeps as a pet. Posted by LT14SHOW (Member # 2187) on :
You have a 20ft Anaconda in your back yard! Posted by biSScuit (Member # 2030) on :
I'll agree on the aggressiveness of the cottonmouth. I've seen quite a few around here. Sometimes on the rivers you can see them every 10-20 yards crossing to the other side. I've been out fishing on a river and had them actually try and climb up the side of the boat. During mating season, they'll go after anyone who gets in their territory.
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