I don't know where this topic should go , But some one had a pic. of a big rat snake on here I was trying to figure out who had it on here, because we had one we think was a rat snake it was about 5and a half ft. long, And very spooky looking, It was so close to Wayne it could have got him I don't know if they are poison or not they sure look like they could be, I seen it on someones garden just the other day but I can't remember yesterday hardly.Does anyone know who it might have been? Thank you Margie
Margie, you might check out the information on this website... http://www.kingsnake.com/ratsnake/ There apparently are dozens of species of Rat snake, several different colors and habits.
Margie, We have "rat snakes" here in Texas, and we treasure them! Snakes are better at keeping rodent populations in check than a herd of cats, and snakes don't shed or poop in your garden. Snakes are shy--they cannot hear (no ears) but they feel vibrations, so if you wear sturdy shoes and don't tip-toe, it is unlikely you will encounter a snake up close and personal. They are not poisonous, but will bite (anything with teeth will bite. The worst bite I ever got was from a 2-year-old brat). When reaching into a spot you can't see into, be careful, or lift leaves or whatever with a stick. You and Wayne will be safe, and your garden will be better for having a rat snake or two.
bigger king snake in my yard ( photo / image / picture from AAnightowl's Garden ) Not sure if this is what you were thinking of, but he is harmless. I dont mind him because he kills copperheads and rodents for me. I have several of them in my yard. So far, I have only had one copperhead this year and killed him. [self defense]... Most summers I have had to get rid of 3 or 4 copperheads by now. I just prefer them to stay outdoors !
Wow, y'all with the snakes.... I'm not sure how I'd feel if I had such big snakes in my yard, esp poisonous... how do you garden comfortably? What do you do if you find one in your house? I think I'd have a heart attack, seriously. I recently found out that there are cottonmouths (water moccasins) in the ponds off the creeks and in the rip-rap jetties in my neighborhood, where I played all the time as a kid and never saw one. Thank goodness. I'm glad I didn't know about them then!
Hi Daisybeans, The Appalachians also have rattlers and such, but in the towns they are not so common. Missouri has several kinds of poisonous snakes, including cottonmouths, copperheads and a few kinds of rattlers. They scare me a LOT ! I do not do much weeding this time of year because of them. I have found them just as I was reaching to pull a weed in other summers. Jump back Jack for sure ! We have had a number of close encounters with them-- my boys found a cottonmouth in our pond once and got the neighbor to shoot it. It had a belly full of over 35 babies when one son cut it open. Eeeewwww..& Eeeek! The same son also sat on a 2 ft pygmy rattler once on a school outing. If I had been there, I would have killed it. Thankfully son did not get bitten. Another time, I got bitten by a copperhead on my one foot and spent the weekend in the hospital on morphine and antivenom. That was very very expensive and painful. And earlier this summer, I did find a harmless but large black king snake in my house by my bedroom door. Thankfully, my son who lives here now put it outdoors for me. If the snakes are harmless, I can deal with it as long as they do not crawl up my leg and I do not have to touch them. They are not slimy, just creepy. Copperheads do not usually get over 3 ft long. Not sure on the other kinds.
