What is it with all these (gasp) snakes?

Within the last week I saw 3 snakes in my yard! They were all different kinds too.
Snake # 1 is a light reddish brown and about 3' long. I was pulling into the driveway and saw him chasing a lizard. I always thought that snakes had to wiggle to move, but it sure didn't look like this one was. He was traveling fast in a straight line, scooped up the lizard and "ran" with the lizard in his mouth to under the bouganvilla bush.
Snake # 2 is black and white patterned about 1 foot long. My BF said it might be a pygmy rattler. He loves animals and would never hurt one, normally, but thinking it could be very dangerous, he went to get a shovel to hit him with. In the meantime the snake disapeared in the utility closet under the stairs. I named him Slinky.
Snake # 3 is black and about 3' long. He lying next to the stairs watching me bring the groceries in yesterday. It suprised me that he didn't even get scared and move until my BF came down. I'm pretty sure he's harmless though.

Originally Posted by katspixiedust

Oh I love snakes! They're so interesting, and for the most part (around here) harmless. You should think about buying a book that lists the different snakes and gives information on them. It comes in handy. I know my parents have one and my dad is constantly checking which kind it is so he knows how close he can get. If I were at their place I would look those up for you!

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You're right. I have looked them up online, but a book would be a lot more convenient.
I wouldn't want one as a pet, but I enjoy the harmless ones. I am a little concerned about Slinky. Thank God my BF put the strip back under the door. I definately don't want that one in the house!

BTW, when I lived in a different house, a saw Oliver in the corner. He was interested in the black snake curled up there. They were nose-to nose and I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to get any closer than necessary because I didn't want to cause the snake to strike Oliver, but I felt I had to get him away ASAP, so I pulled my poor kitty back by the tail, scooped him up, and tossed him onto the bed in the spare bedroom and shut the door.
On the way down the hallway, Oliver had totally shredded my t-shirt and scratched my chest and arms. When I tossed him on the bed, I took a step back to try and shut the door as quickly as I could. Doing so I backed into the doorknob, causing a huge bruise on my butt. Hmmm... I guess black snakes are harmful after all.
As for the snake, my (then) husband camly picked it up and took it outside.

When I dad was in his early teens, he lived in Singapore for a few years. Before he went he was not really scared of snakes but by the time he came back to the UK he used to dream of snakes in his bed etc!

His job in Singapore was to check under the bed covers of his 3 sisters before they went to sleep incase snakes had crawled in and gone to sleep or something.

Even now in plain old London, he still thinks snakes are in his bed!

Did Slinky look like this? Sure hope you were able to get him out of the utility closet.





We get rattlesnakes here in my town too but so far the worst I have seen is what I think was a california night snake in my yard. He looked like this,and had a huge hiss.

Originally Posted by lakeriedog

Did Slinky look like this? Sure hope you were able to get him out of the utility closet.

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Not exactly. It seemed thinner, and I think the colors were strictly black & white. The pattern seemed closer together. I wish I had gotten a picture. The utility closet is shared between the bar and the 2 apartments. There isn't even a door on it, so he can come and go as he pleases.

Originally Posted by lakeriedog

We get rattlesnakes here in my town too but so far the worst I have seen is what I think was a california night snake in my yard. He looked like this,and had a huge hiss.

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Now THAT looks like a big snake!

Sounds like you possibly have a kingsnake.
If so, you'll want him around to keep the nasty snakes under control.

A few speices of black & white kingsnakes;

Eastern Chain kingsnake
California kingsnake
Outer Banks kingsnake
Todos Santos Island kingsnake
Black kingsnake

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Sounds like you possibly have a kingsnake.
If so, you'll want him around to keep the nasty snakes under control.

A few speices of black & white kingsnakes;

Eastern Chain kingsnake
California kingsnake
Outer Banks kingsnake
Todos Santos Island kingsnake
Black kingsnake

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Slinky's pattern wasn't striped, but the black one looked kind of like the black snake (snake #3). Thanks!

i dont know much about snakes but i think black ones are poiseness
i do like snakes tho would love one as a pet

Originally Posted by cazimauw

i dont know much about snakes but i think black ones are poiseness

i do like snakes tho would love one as a pet

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Lots of non poisonous black snakes
In fact the only piosonous ones that immediately come to mind (that are black) are African mambas.