Heart attack inducing mistaken identity Pictures Included

[sourland]

If you have extras, send them to bluesub. She has a use for them.

 

[KristyHall]

Well, Kristy, there is at least one advantage to living in 'Yankee Land'. We don't have cottonmouths.

BTW, send some of your broody magic this way. I'm ready for my girls to give me a bunch of chicks!

 

[sourland]

Do a little dance

'n sing a little song

walla

Broody GPS pointed towards North Alabama. Don't know how that rabbit sneaked in there - must be

lady or the Easter

.

 

[Bunnylady]

Don't look at me, I'm too far east to be an effective relay for Alabama! Kinda like going around your elbow to get to your thumb.

But talking about snakes ("why did it have to be snakes?") we gots lots. We have Moccasins, Copperheads, 3 different kinds of Rattlesnakes, and even the odd Coral Snake. In the years I've lived here, I have seen 2 Rattlesnakes, maybe half-a-dozen Cottonmouths, and a slew of Copperheads. Of course, if you count all of the non-venomous snakes I have seen, my snake sightings number in the hundreds, from Worm Snakes that never get longer than a pencil, to Rat Snakes that were 5+ feet long.

And yes, I know I'm weird, but once a snake has been positively ID'd as a non-venomous type, it will probably get caught and handled for a while by someone around here (most likely me!) Even the rat snakes that have occasionally eaten eggs or baby rabbits don't get killed, they just get stuffed in a pillowcase and given a ride way off somewhere (I know you aren't supposed to do that with mammals, but IDK if that includes reptiles). The only snakes that get killed around here are the venomous ones, and that's because of the kids. They have been told "never put your hands or feet anyplace that you can't see," but I can't be sure they'll remember.

 

[theotherranch]

Kristy,I must applaud the fact that you were taught how to identify snakes growing up! Here in S.C. the attitude is "the only good snake is a dead snake" and that is so wrong. Most snakes are beneficial. We tend to have several yellow rat snakes(aka chicken snakes) each year in the coops that I catch and rehome. I do have to admit to killing two copperheads,one diamondback,and one cainbrake found in the backyard where the dogs run. Vet bills are expensive! You've done a good job describing the differences between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. Good job!

 

[KristyHall]

Don't look at me, I'm too far east to be an effective relay for Alabama! Kinda like going around your elbow to get to your thumb.

But talking about snakes ("why did it have to be snakes?") we gots lots. We have Moccasins, Copperheads, 3 different kinds of Rattlesnakes, and even the odd Coral Snake. In the years I've lived here, I have seen 2 Rattlesnakes, maybe half-a-dozen Cottonmouths, and a slew of Copperheads. Of course, if you count all of the non-venomous snakes I have seen, my snake sightings number in the hundreds, from Worm Snakes that never get longer than a pencil, to Rat Snakes that were 5+ feet long.

And yes, I know I'm weird, but once a snake has been positively ID'd as a non-venomous type, it will probably get caught and handled for a while by someone around here (most likely me!) Even the rat snakes that have occasionally eaten eggs or baby rabbits don't get killed, they just get stuffed in a pillowcase and given a ride way off somewhere (I know you aren't supposed to do that with mammals, but IDK if that includes reptiles). The only snakes that get killed around here are the venomous ones, and that's because of the kids. They have been told "never put your hands or feet anyplace that you can't see," but I can't be sure they'll remember.

I agree with you. Even poisonous ones like copper heads get a reprieve i they are far enough away from the house or easily caught and moved to the refuge.

I'm bad about bringing in injured snakes and treating them before letting them go.

 

[KristyHall]

Kristy,I must applaud the fact that you were taught how to identify snakes growing up! Here in S.C. the attitude is "the only good snake is a dead snake" and that is so wrong. Most snakes are beneficial. We tend to have several yellow rat snakes(aka chicken snakes) each year in the coops that I catch and rehome. I do have to admit to killing two copperheads,one diamondback,and one cainbrake found in the backyard where the dogs run. Vet bills are expensive! You've done a good job describing the differences between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. Good job!

I agree. Snakes are an important part of the echo system and just flat out cool. Too many people don't know the difference. I am glad I am fortunate enough to have parents that believe in working with nature, not rolling over it.

When I was a child, my mother worked at some local pet shops and rescue groups, helping them with identification, care, and so on.

She became well known for her knowledge of snakes and her knack for treating sick reptiles. One day this man brings his snake in a pillow case and told the cashier lady that his pet snake was sick. Woman called my mother from the back to come look at his pet snake. They brought out an open terrarium and had him dump the snake into it. When she saw what it was my mother back peddled fast.

It was a Western Diamond back who had a respiratory infection.

The cashier lady said " I've never seen you run from a snake before!"

My mom pointed and said " I do when it's a rattle snake!"

and the ditzy woman said " Oh? Are they poisonous?"

This woman was born and raised in Alabama. She should know better.

my mom informed the man of what medicine he could put in the snake's water, and hope the snake will soak in it, but she didn't recommend trying to make the snake do it. Who's going to try to make a rattle snake do what it doesn't want to do?

 

[KristyHall]

Do a little dance

'n sing a little song

walla

Broody GPS pointed towards North Alabama. Don't know how that rabbit sneaked in there - must be

lady or the Easter

.

yay!

 

[KristyHall]

If you have extras, send them to bluesub. She has a use for them.

ok bluesub, be prepared for a swimming pool of cotton mouths

mwahahahaha...

oops

i mean "tee hee"

 

[Magic Birdie]

You seem smart!