Thought I'd share my little surprise with everyone-warning snake pics!

[bakerjw]

+1 gazzillion for not killing it. My wife's step dad and I are always running to show each other what we've caught. Snakes, salamanders, lizards, etc... It's always something.

 

[Mervin]

Good Job. If he weren't eating eggs, I'd have let him stay. A couple of summers ago, we had a six-footer under our front porch. He was quite welcome to stay since we had recently lost our mouser. To my surprise, the kids (and DW) were gracious enough to let him pass if they encountered him. Sadly, I believe he's moved on though. There's been a dramatic increase in rodents in the past year.

 

[ranchhand]

We only kill the bad boys with little noisemakers on their tails, or the occasional copperhead. (one bit a dog last year, he's fine. Snake got vac-packed for the vet, who was not too sure about THAT gift......)

We have quite a few yellow rat snakes and black racers. Haven't seen a mouse, rat or roach around here in almost 6 years.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

Good for you, for not killing what is essentially a beneficial animal. Most people operate on fear and just kill harmless animals like that one for no reason. We never kill any snakes, not even Rattlesnakes. I do move them on occcasion, and let me assure you that you can relocate a snake, no problem.

 

[RM44]

I kill the copperheads (and would kill other poisonous ones if I ran across any others). We are overrun with copperheads here (I live in the "wetlands" near the lake). I absolutely LOVE snakes though. I didn't see in your post whether or not you identified him. Was it a black racer? Eastern King?(although I see you're not on the east). What kind of snake was he?

I've also raised my kids not to kill the snakes. Although I did teach them how to determine poisonous versus non-poisonous, I still don't allow them to pick up a snake without first coming to get me though, so I can verify. Did I mention how bad the copperhead problem was here????? My dogs have each been bitten in the face once, and the silly cat has been bitten twice! In the face both times! You would think they'd learn to keep their noses out of places they don't belong!

 

[chooniecat]

GREAT JOB!! I am not against humans killing poisonous snakes if they've noticed too many(or eating them for that matter-just kill em quick!) I caught a 6' black rat snake in the yard just in time for the citified neighbor to drive out of his driveway and he does not seem fond of me now. It was gorgeous and,yeah, I was also scared but I didn't want my dogs to bother it(they are the ones who alerted me) and moved it to the barn(my chickens have their eggs in their shed) good story!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Another thank you for not killing - am sorry about the eggs - but what a fanastic snake

 

[Penturner]

It is sad how many people are ready to kill a snake just because it is a snake. By far most snakes are harmless and actually beneficial. like a barn cat that can go where the mice go and don't have to just wait by the hole, lol. I have taught all my kids from very young to handle and get used to snakes. My son is very good at picking out the venomous ones. They have actually ran across a few from time to time while out waling in the hills and they simply watch them give them their space and leave them alone. They never think a snake should die simply because it possesses poison. They also know that if they aver see a snake around our house or yard I am to know about it. if it is poisonous it has to go but still I would not necessarily kill it. First of all rattlers and copperheads are not nearly as deadly as most people think. they may make you pretty sick but are not necessarily fatal and even at that you have several hours in which to reach help and still be okay. some other snakes are a lot more deadly though. It is nice to see someone that took the time and be calm headed enough to just remove the snake and not start out swinging shovels.

 

[smchickfarm]

my granddad always told me to "Never kill a black snake"...

Good job!

 

[Lola12]

Kudos to you for not killing it! Many people would not have done what you did, I have such respect for you!