Snakes in the Grass (and between the rocks, and all over the yard, and behind the garage and...)

Posted on 2007-May-20 at 06:40

When we moved out to "the country" I expected we'd be able to admire wildlife up close and personal-  you know, deer, foxes, perhaps a coyote in the distance, an occasional soaring eagle...those types of things.  I did not, however, bank on having a veritable snake farm in my backyard.   Beavers, possums, raccoons, fine.  Snakes?  This was not in the brochure. 

I'm not exactly afraid of snakes, but I don't like them either.  I don't mind seeing them at the zoo or on tv.  I do not want to catch them, hold them or train them.  My kids have not inherited my distaste for the slithery guys though, they love them.  My daughter Kaitlyn, animal psychiatrist, has them analyzed and knows what kind of snake personality they have within 5 minutes of grabbing them by the tail.  The first one she caught, Rocky (found between some rocks), was a sweet, loving snake that enjoyed being stroked behind the ears (ears?) and liked being carried around all day.  He was also about 3 feet long and scary looking.  I thought little girls who lived in the country liked horses and puppies.

Today the kids caught a fox snake.  Supposedly harmless if you trust reference books.  But also BIG LONG AND SCARY.  They took pictures so everyone could share the joy. 

This is my dear sweet daughter holding the snake.  It was a proud moment.

Here is my son holding the snake.  Notice that this is not the whole snake.  The back end of him is squirming around somewhere behind Kenny's back (shudder):

Here is a nice shot of the snake slithering toward the person taking the picture (which was NOT ME).  Again, notice that his whole body doesn't even fit into the frame he is so big:

And one last shot for all you snake lovers out there.  This is a different snake the kids found last week.  Yes, he is eating a toad.  Yes, it is disgusting.  Yes, we took pictures:

So there you have it, a lovely photo album of all our snake pals.  I am hoping it will be too hot for snakes soon.  This is not the kind of wildlife I had in mind.  Until then, I'm staying in the short grass.  And away from rocks.

Untitled Comment

Posted by homesteadinthemaking on 2007-May-21 at 12:53 - Link

All, I can say is "Oh My Word." I would not have even been able to look. I can safely say I do not like snakes. Ofcourse, we usually have the chicken snakes, who want to eat my chickens, or the water moccassins, which are poisonous.
Blessings,
Trixi

Untitled Comment

Posted by morningsunshine on 2007-May-21 at 08:38 - Link

I love snakes. I always have. a jr high teacher had snakes in his classroom, and everyday I would put my books on my desk and then grab a snake to wrap around my wrist during class. it was an honors class, so only about 12 students, so that was okay.

I'm a snake-hater

Posted by Anonymous on 2007-May-22 at 01:53 - Link

I am a snake-finder. Have been since I was about 2, my parents tell me, and I found a nest of baby rattle snakes. And I HATE them!

Last week my parents had a young rattle snake on their back porch. **shudder**

--Daja

ewwww

Posted by The Bee Lady on 2007-May-22 at 08:39 - Link

have I ever mention that I HATE HATE HATE SNAKES!!!!!!!! yes, I am YELLING, yes I freaking out - but you know what my kids would be thrilled too :)
Have a great day.

Love Cathie

Untitled Comment

Posted by 4timesblessed on 2007-May-22 at 02:48 - Link

Please excuse me while I hyperventilate while looking at your blog. The snakes I've seen most frequently in my yard are the venomous cotton mouths and nasty tempered Texas rat snake. I would so be freaking out if one of my children started touching those things!

Snakes?

Posted by Deblyn on 2007-May-28 at 10:03 - Link

YIKES! Okay just looking at those pictures gave me the creeps! I want to live in the country but that is one thing I am not sure I could deal with. Where can I move that there are no snakes? I heard Alaska! LOL! Thanks for sharing those pictures. I am glad your kids don't have a fear of them! :)

Untitled Comment

Posted by tiffibug on 2007-May-29 at 10:46 - Link

Leah, you are too funny! I was just like your dear, sweet daughter as a child. I would catch anything that crawled or slithered. But have a spider anywhere near me...I'd climb the furniture to get away!