Look what we caught today

[eichenluft]

those are really big snakes - what DO you feed them? I'd guess - chickens?

molly

 

[AccidentalFarm]

LOL, no they do not eat chickens. Although I suppose the two big ones would if they had the opportunity. They eat rats, nothing else.

 

[MoonGoddess]

Coral snakes are not aggressive or prone to biting, and account for less than a single percent of the number of snake bites each year in the United States. Most coral snake bites occur because of accidental handling of the snake while engaged in an activity like gardening.

Most species of coral snake are small in size. North American species average around 24" in length, but specimens of up to 35" or slightly larger are not unheard of. Young are normaly 5-7 inches however they still have enough venom to kill an adult human. South American species can get much larger. They are thin bodied snakes, with a head the same width as the body, small eyes, and a rounded snout. Aquatic species have flattened tails, to act as a fin, aiding in swimming.

Most species of coral snakes are ophiophagous, feeding primarily on other, smaller species of snakes, but they will often also consume lizards, and infrequently, small rodents. Aquatic species are known to be specialists in feeding on freshwater eels, but sometimes will also consume knifefish. Coral snake venom is much stronger than is generally considered necessary to subdue their typical prey items.

Due to the small size of coral snakes, along with their having much smaller fangs than pit vipers, bites are frequently ineffective and have some difficulty penetrating shoes or even thick clothing. This along with the fact that coral snakes are not aggressive creatures and reclusive makes bites quite rare. However, coral snakes are highly venomous, being the only relative of the cobra found in the New World. Despite their relatively small size, their venom is a powerful neurotoxin, quite capable of killing an adult human. No deaths related to coral snake bites have been reported in the United States since coral snake antivenin became available. Before that time, the estimated case fatality rate was 10%.

HOWEVER, any bite from a coral snake should be considered life threatening and immediate treatment should be sought. Often there is very little reaction around the bite area, as opposed to the pain and swelling usually associated with a viper bite, and systemic effects can delay manifestation for 8-24 hours. This potential delay in symptoms makes treating coral snake bites particularly tricky, and often results in preventative treatment whether one is displaying symptoms or not. Once the neurotoxin takes effect, it causes the neurotransmitters between the brain and muscles to malfunction. Initially symptoms are slurred speech, double vision, difficulty swallowing, but can quickly progress to muscular paralysis, and even respiratory or cardiac failure if not treated.

 

[ivan3]

Accidental Farm wrote:

I wonder how the chickens would have dealt with this guy?

We don't have Coral snakes, but I can tell you how our eight girls and roo dealt with a foot long Copperhead. They formed up a circle around it and were clucking, whining, growling (almost like they were daring one another to take the first bite). I managed to save that Copperhead, but I'm sure the chooks have disposed of others. I've watched one hen grab up a little Prarie King snake and take off with the rest of the girls chasing her. They also scarf up Grey Tree frogs and skinks. I do object to their transforming the itinerant ornamentals in our garden into strands of spaghetti:

Scaley Green Tree snake on Lavender Hyssop​

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

Accidental farm, you sound just like an old friend of mine from the valley who had 40 acres at Palacios. He was a herp lover too. It's not you is it? Or must you be one to live amongst all the rattlers?

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Nope, don't think it's me. But I do really enjoy having snakes both as pets and the outdoor 'wild' kind. They are truly amazing creatures. 'Course, I'm fond of most any animal and can't think of a single one I'd call a pest. They're just doing what they were meant to do and trying to survive. So, relocation is the most drastic measure I ever take, and that's second to trying to just live amongst each other-giving plenty of respect to the more aggressive or dangerous animals and teaching my kids to do the same.

And yeah, I hug trees, too.

 

[Canarygirl]

question. On here I read where someones chickens would eat black widow spiders, wouldn't that kill the poor chicken? I know we have them around here in NC and I'm afraid my girls will find one.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

It is fine for the chickens to eat Black Widow spiders. Ingesting the spider will not harm them, a bite from the spider however, could harm them.

Canarygirl, I've seen a couple of posts you've made this evening. May I suggest that you start a new topic when you have a question not really related to an open thread? More people will see it that way, and you will get more answers. Please don't take offense, I just thought maybe you didn't know...

 

[jstudy]

That snake would be a tastey treat for a chicken. I beleive that only if it was attacked by the chicken (and the chicken would win!) would it even try to bite. If it's too big to swallow they generally leave it alone as they can't chew something in to pieces.
Too bad AccidentalFarm you don't have a kingsnake, I believe it could eat it, they'll even take out rattlesnakes.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Quote:
I might be wrong, but I think that we do have kingsnakes around here. We definitely have Blue Indigo's and they LOVE to eat rattlesnakes. Heck, if I had a mind to hunt them down, I'd eat the rattlesnakes...they're really not bad fried. But we've got catfish and bass fresh from the lake and plenty of venison and dove and quail - when in season- not to mention hog, and I suppose chicken now, so snakes are just really too much trouble to bother with.
I know, sounds a little contradictory from my above posts, but if I'm not going to eat the animal, I won't kill it.