A snake on the porch

[@meric@nwom@n]

I started to step outside to take the dog out and nearly stepped on a snake. I am usually pretty cool with snakes I will handle them and stroke them but I don't like them under my feet unexpectedly. I backed in the house and got my cell phone and made a video of the snake. I called my husband who was off elsewhere and told him to watch it when he came home and not run over the guy or step on him/her. Now husband is cool with spiders but he is not cool with snakes. He does not handle and pet them and seems to think I am quite certifiable when I do. Anyway the snake moved off into the flower bed and I had my cell and flashlight tracking where he/she was headed. I was rather concerned it might get into the garage somehow. Snake disappeared and I could no longer see it on the asphalt driveway. (Black snake black driveway.) Husband arrives and pulls vehicle into the garage. Just as he pulled in, here comes the snake out from under another car parked on the asphalt and makes a bee-line for the garage, as if programed to respond to my biggest concern. I flap my arms and screech at husband to do something before the snake gets in the garage. Husband, to his credit, does not run but grabs a mop and tries to shoo the snake away. Snake resents this coils and strikes at the mop which is about more than husband can deal with. Suddenly snake heads off for the other car in the driveway and proceeds to climb up into the wheel well. We pound on car etc trying to get the snake to come out. Finally we give up and come in. Husband is now sleepless and I will bet money he will not go to work tomorrow. It's 11:03 pm here and I have to be up at 4 am to head to work.

Ain't life grand?

[The Hen]

Wow. Exciting. What kind of snake was it?

[loCAtek]

Yup, he should be there in the morning, reptiles don't move at night. When it warms up, and if you leave him alone; he should move on.

[dales]

It might be this variety?

Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)

Black Racers, also known as Eastern Racers, are a group of closely related subspecies that are similar in appearance and range across the eastern half of the U.S. (Fig. 14). The Southern Black Racer, along with several other subspecies of racers, is the true black snake of the southeastern U.S. These snakes are long and slender; the largest reaching up to six feet in length (most are less than four feet long). They have smooth scales and range from jet black to dark gray on their backs and bellies, with chins and throats that are lighter or white in color (Fig. 15).

Young Black Racers, though thin like the adults, have an overall appearance much different than adults. Juvenile Black Racers have a series of reddish to brown colored blotches down the middle of their backs on a background color of gray. They also have abundant small, dark specks on their sides and bellies (Fig. 16). Because of these mid-dorsal blotches, juveniles are sometimes confused with the venomous Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius), which also has blotches down the center of its back. However, Pygmy Rattlesnakes have much heavier bodies and stocky heads with a dark band from the eye to the corner of the jaw.

Despite their scientific name (Coluber constrictor), Black Racers do not always constrict their prey, but rather use their speed to chase down a prey animal, grab it with their strong jaws and swallow it alive. Racers are harmless to people and generally attempt to make a speedy escape when approached. However, if they feel threatened and are unable to flee, they may vigorously shake their tail (making a rattling sound on dry leaves), defecate on their captor or even bite if handled.

Black Racers inhabit a great variety of natural habitats, ranging from pine forests to the Florida Everglades. They are active during the day and are one of the most commonly encountered snakes in suburban yards and parks. As their name implies, they are swift and agile. They spend most of their lives on the ground, yet are excellent climbers and may be found in shrubs and small trees. Black Racers eat a variety of prey items including frogs, lizards, mice, rats, small snakes and even birds' eggs.

Non-poisonous....leave it alone, it is more afraid of you than you are of it.

While hiking the trails in NorCal, I've encountered numerous rattle snakes which are venomous. I give tham a wide berth. They slither off into the bushes after awhile and I resume my hiking.

[Aard Vark]

If it is black around here sorry it is dead.
Don't mind them down the back or away from the house. Might be getting into my parrots or quails.

My cat has court a few small Browns and blacks Just glad she is fast and hasn't tryed taking a big one.

[Sean]

Yup, he should be there in the morning, reptiles don't move at night. When it warms up, and if you leave him alone; he should move on.

You might want to tell that to the browns that come onto my deck at night... not to mention the pythons I see when I walk the dog at night.

[The Hen]

True. Nocturnal snakes tend to be a tad more active at night than they are during the day.

[Sean]

LMAO

[@meric@nwom@n]

Wow. Exciting. What kind of snake was it?

It was a Black snake, non-venomous. They are good mousers and he is welcome to hang around if he will not choose places like the porch and the car. We estimate he was about 4 foot long.

What I find appalling is how many people said they would have killed it just because it was a snake.

[Lord Jim]

the pythons I see when I walk the dog at night.

Sean, SMF, child and friend prepare to leave home for a stroll through the neighborhood:

[@meric@nwom@n]

Yup, he should be there in the morning, reptiles don't move at night. When it warms up, and if you leave him alone; he should move on.

You might want to tell that to the browns that come onto my deck at night... not to mention the pythons I see when I walk the dog at night.

Not to mention that it was quite dark out when this snake was so active.

[Sean]

Pretty much Jim, although we have shaved the child since that pic was taken...

[loCAtek]

Must be very warm there at night; I've not seen snakes on the trail in the night hours, only made rescues (like today's gofer snake) during the daylight.

[BoSoxGal]

Maybe it's not so bad if he wants to hang out in your garage. That's where the mice would be busy wreaking destructive havoc on your belongings. Just remember that he might be there and steel your nerves when you go looking for the lawn mower.

I would not kill him for being a snake. I would not kill a black widow for being a venomous spider, either - I would just stay away from her web.

I really don't get the whole mentality that prompts some folks to take that approach to critters who are necessary threads in the web of life.

[Sean]

I've got a four year old child BSG and we live in an area populated with two of the top three most venemous snakes on the planet (Eastern Brown & Coastal Taipan). If they are on my deck they could be in my house very soon... hiding under beds and behind furniture. No contest really... I'm not about to take the chance of him being bitten. The nearest hospital is half an hour away. He just wouldn't make it.

[@meric@nwom@n]

I don't blame you Sean. The mentality i don't get is to kill a creature which poses no tvreat at all like my visitor.

[BoSoxGal]

There are only 4 venomous snakes in Indiana, Sean. They are fairly distinctive in their appearance, versus the common garter snake that @w's likely was a specimen of - the venomous snakes also are very unlikely to be seen in populated areas.

You live in a very different ecosystem, much more abundantly populated by potentially lethal critters. Should a venomous, potentially lethal snake end up on your porch, I can see you wanting to protect your children from it. Is it always necessary to kill it? Can it not be relocated? That is up to you to decide, of course.

My point, and I assume @w's, is that far too many people are inclined to kill a harmless snake than to just 'live and let live'.

God, or evolution, made snakes and mosquitos and spiders and lots of other creepy crawlies we wouldn't care to cuddle, because they serve a vital function in the web of life. We should not feel as humans that we have the right to kill anything we find distasteful - but of course because that mindset IS so prevalent, our environment and the critters within it find themselves in constant peril.

[Joe Guy]

God, or evolution, made snakes and mosquitos and spiders and lots of other creepy crawlies we wouldn't care to cuddle, because they serve a vital function in the web of life. We should not feel as humans that we have the right to kill anything we find distasteful - but of course because that mindset IS so prevalent, our environment and the critters within it find themselves in constant peril.

I will catch spiders in my house and release them outside.

I will always kill mosquitoes, whether they're in my house or outside. They don't serve a vital function in anyone's life.

[BoSoxGal]

Mosquitos feed countless critters - from spiders to dragonflies to birds to bats. I kill them inside, too - but I sure understand why they're necessary.

I don't relocate spiders - except out of the shower/sink where they might drown. If I find one in the house, I drop it into a houseplant. I like them in my house, because they eat the mosquitos who sneak in.

[Joe Guy]

Mosquitos feed countless critters - from spiders to dragonflies to birds to bats. I kill them inside, too - but I sure understand why they're necessary.

So, you think mosquitoes are necessary because other things eat them?

I'd bet the world would not be any worse off without mosquitoes.