Killed Corn Snake**GRAPHIC**

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
I was just going to ask that. I never kill any snake that won't kill me. Bet he would have ate the mouse I see hanging around my coop. Wish he was alive and here. Poor thing.

 

[IN-farmgirl]

Corn snakes are very common snakes to keep as pets. They are very popular for children because they are so gentle. Pet stores sell a lot of them. They eat mice. It would take a HUGE one to eat a chick.

 

[dntd]

Corn snake bite are really not bad, less then a pin prick as they use them for holding. First I think everyone should resurch the animals local to them that pose a threat, secondly showing a picture of a hacked up snake to a snake lover is like showing a dead cat you ran over to a cat person, just saying.( I own corn snakes! they are a great snake for a kid).

 

[IN-farmgirl]

Quote:
This is true (about the picture). I really is a harmless snake and it is sad to see it cut in half.

 

[angelique_redhead]

I used to raise corn snakes. I love them. I wish I had a half dozen to let out in the studio/storage building to go after the mice but I know my DH wouldn't appreciate that.

: Angelique

 

[fowltemptress]

Poor snake! You must feel terrible about killing it. I'm sorry. I'm glad you know what it is and can recognize it now, so you won't make the mistake of killing one in the future.

 

[ranchhand]

Wow. I do understand the fear of all things snakey- I am not comforatable with them at all! BUT - since we moved to the country, I have had to learn which are the bad ones and which are good to have around. I don't LIKE it, but I have had to learn. Most states have a website for Natural Resources Dept. snake ID's. Learn to reognize the good one, because they will make sure you don't have any mice or rats.

Yikes, I do understand the feeling!

These deys? I just tell them to go the other way, unless they're poisonous - then I tell them to hold still while I go get the shotgun.

Good luck, and when in doubt, better safe than sorry. Now go look up the pics of good ones, and negotiate with them.

 

[speckledhen]

I understand the urge to whack now and ID later, though, so let's not be too hard on the OP about that. We have lots of black rat snakes here. They eat baby birds out of nests (phoebes nest on my deck) and fascinate my hens. I used scissors to cut one out of deer netting he had tangled himself in once while DH held him.

 

[little_grey_bantam]

I think cats cause more issues than corn snakes... and the worst part about it, YOU are on THEIR home.
If you think about it, just because you purchase it, does not make it "your" land and "your" home only.
They are a part of the ecosystem, unlike cats or dogs who wander around, harm wildlife, etc.
If the snake is preying on birds in your area, it's probably because *GASP* it's a natural predator!!!

Yes I have my own phobias, but I worked to get over it.
Learning to ID them before killing them would help.
I don't shoot cats/dogs first and then ask questions later (I've never shot cats but know people who have to humanely put them down after being mutilated by coyotes and wildlife when they couldn't trap them). And you shouldn't do the same thing to snakes.

It just goes to show that you will act out of fear on something that is harmless (or potentially harmless).
Though it can be rational, more likely, it is irrational and we take it a little too far.
It teaches others to be fearful of snakes, especially small children and can give them the wrong impression.
This is why people will KILL snakes on the road just to "kill" them.
This is EXACTLY why I have people freak out over a 12 FOOT Python!!! When in fact it is a 24 inch corn snake *face plant*

Cats on the other hand... Dogs will often do the same thing.
Kill for fun, breed like crazy, wreak havoc upon wildlife, etc.
Yet too many people think it is alright to let their cats/dogs out (farm cats, I'm so-so alright with them) and roam around.

I'd think twice.
Yes you have a fear of snakes, but learn and be better than that.
Learn that yes, your chickens ARE your pets/livestock, but the snake is only doing what is natural to it.

It just ticks me off that every snake people see is "huge" "dangerous" "venomous" etc.
Have you ever thought that cats and dogs could carry rabies and diseases? Yet we don't think to kill/shoot them at first sight. Some will though lol
Everyone hoorahs over killing snakes (or most people) but if you killed someone's pet cat or heck, even a pet cat, there would be a LOT of people having a HUGE stink over it.

**edited to remove unnecessary personal remarks**

 

[StupidBird]

Say everybody, how much does a corn snake of that size go for at a pet store? Maybe the need for some pocket money will be a better incentive to save a snake...? I've got a waiting list for rat snakes I catch in my coop area.

I am really bad with spiders. If I see it first, and its outside, and I'm at least 6 feet away, it may live. If it pops up on me, or drops down a thread in my face, I WILL wreck the car. So I can sympathize with a fear, is all this means.