Snake Update

[Dipper9]

While I have not personally had the misfortune of coming face to face with my little friend in a few months, the next door neighbor's daughter (Kindergarden age) nearly stepped on one in their yard about a month ago. Last weekend, my neighbors about 4 doors down had a baby snake in their basement. And just yesterday, my wife found a squashed one on the road in front of our house. For those who forget, I live in an established neighborhood in Perry Hall...I don't live in the woods or farm or anything like that! This weekend the Mrs. and I are doing our fall weeding/cutting back plants and trees. If I run across one of those little (illigitimate sons) this may be the last post you ever read from Dippy boy!

These snakes makin' me mad! :mad:

[bmorechop]

Dipper,
There's an extremely high probability that all of the snakes you've seen are non-venomous. Even if you see a venomous snake the probability that you're going to be bitten is incredibly, incredibly low. Most of the snake bites in the US are the result of handling the snake. There's a great study by a herpotologist who actually tried to get venomous snakes to bite an artificial arm (complete with heated "blood" and everything) and basically couldn't unless he picked the snakes up with the arm. Even then the bite rate was something like 10% of the pickups. Remember, getting hit by lightening is more common than being bit by a venomous snake. Don't give in to the irrational fear!! :) It's about 100,000 times more likely that you will die driving to or from work than by snake bite (seriously), yet you aren't petrified in your car everyday.

[Dipper9]

Dipper,
There's an extremely high probability that all of the snakes you've seen are non-venomous. Even if you see a venomous snake the probability that you're going to be bitten is incredibly, incredibly low. Most of the snake bites in the US are the result of handling the snake. There's a great study by a herpotologist who actually tried to get venomous snakes to bite an artificial arm (complete with heated "blood" and everything) and basically couldn't unless he picked the snakes up with the arm. Even then the bite rate was something like 10% of the pickups. Remember, getting hit by lightening is more common than being bit by a venomous snake. Don't give in to the irrational fear!! :) It's about 100,000 times more likely that you will die driving to or from work than by snake bite (seriously), yet you aren't petrified in your car everyday.

Oh great! Now when I'm driving to work tomorrow morning, I'm gonna look down between my feet and see a venomous snake. I'll then swerve the car off the road, jump out, exasperated but safe, only to get struck by lightening. Then, as I slowly regain consciousness, I'll look up and get bit by the snake right between the eyes! I am never leaving my house!:D

[RShack]

Dipper,
There's an extremely high probability that all of the snakes you've seen are non-venomous.
My wife insists that *all* snakes are "copper-headed water-rattlers"... some are just wearing disguises...

[cindyluvsbrady]

Dipper,
There's an extremely high probability that all of the snakes you've seen are non-venomous. Even if you see a venomous snake the probability that you're going to be bitten is incredibly, incredibly low. Most of the snake bites in the US are the result of handling the snake. There's a great study by a herpotologist who actually tried to get venomous snakes to bite an artificial arm (complete with heated "blood" and everything) and basically couldn't unless he picked the snakes up with the arm. Even then the bite rate was something like 10% of the pickups. Remember, getting hit by lightening is more common than being bit by a venomous snake. Don't give in to the irrational fear!! :) It's about 100,000 times more likely that you will die driving to or from work than by snake bite (seriously), yet you aren't petrified in your car everyday.

Who cares if they are venomous?:eek: They are all terrifying evil things!!!!:(
I dont know why Dipper has not moved.He lives in a horror movie!
Snakes make me mad!:mad:

[square634]

Most of the snakes around there are garden snakes or once in a while black snakes. They are essentially harmless, and even if they bite you, it probably won't hurt more than a vaccination does. We have kept snakes and other reptiles as pets for since I was a kid. I think it started when my dad was a kid because he wasn't allowed to have a cat or dog as a pet, and reptiles are much easier to take care of since they can do fine without being fed for up to a month.

Once my dad found a black snake outside that had a tumor on its mouth and tried to rehabilitate it. IIRC, it lived for another two years or so. Currently, we have a pueblan milk snake (http://www.thenatureofthings.com/images/milk%20snake.gif) and an eight foot python. About 8 years ago, my dad tried to breed two boa constrictors, but the female had a miscarriage. I have in total been bitten once while handling snakes (it was the pueblan milk snake, which is pretty small), and it felt like a tiny ***** on my hand. Basically, my point is that snakes get a bad rap!

P.S. besides two snakes and an iguana, we also have a miniature poodle. Pretty ironic eh?

[cindyluvsbrady]

Most of the snakes around there are garden snakes or once in a while black snakes. They are essentially harmless, and even if they bite you, it probably won't hurt more than a vaccination does. We have kept snakes and other reptiles as pets for since I was a kid. I think it started when my dad was a kid because he wasn't allowed to have a cat or dog as a pet, and reptiles are much easier to take care of since they can do fine without being fed for up to a month.

Once my dad found a black snake outside that had a tumor on its mouth and tried to rehabilitate it. IIRC, it lived for another two years or so. Currently, we have a pueblan milk snake (http://www.thenatureofthings.com/images/milk%20snake.gif) and an eight foot python. About 8 years ago, my dad tried to breed two boa constrictors, but the female had a miscarriage. Basically, my point is that snakes get a bad rap!

P.S. besides two snakes and a poodle, we also have a miniature poodle. Pretty ironic eh?

I wont ever come to visit you!!!:002_scry: :eek:

[square634]

I wont ever come to visit you!!!:002_scry: :eek:

Yeah, I know what you mean, some people get a little freaked out by it. Really, the only time it could be dangerous is if it's one of those idiots you hear about in the Darwin Awards who leave their snakes, sometimes poisonous, loose in the house, and then don't feed them.

[RipkenWay]

Most of the snakes around there are garden snakes or once in a while black snakes. They are essentially harmless, and even if they bite you, it probably won't hurt more than a vaccination does. We have kept snakes and other reptiles as pets for since I was a kid. I think it started when my dad was a kid because he wasn't allowed to have a cat or dog as a pet, and reptiles are much easier to take care of since they can do fine without being fed for up to a month.

Once my dad found a black snake outside that had a tumor on its mouth and tried to rehabilitate it. IIRC, it lived for another two years or so. Currently, we have a pueblan milk snake (http://www.thenatureofthings.com/images/milk%20snake.gif) and an eight foot python. About 8 years ago, my dad tried to breed two boa constrictors, but the female had a miscarriage. I have in total been bitten once while handling snakes (it was the pueblan milk snake, which is pretty small), and it felt like a tiny ***** on my hand. Basically, my point is that snakes get a bad rap!

P.S. besides two snakes and a poodle, we also have a miniature poodle. Pretty ironic eh?

Make sure you keep the pythons seperated from the poodles. That could get ugly if they came in to contact with each other. ;)

[square634]

Make sure you keep the pythons seperated from the poodles. That could get ugly if they came in to contact with each other. ;)

Oh yeah that was a typo, the first 'poodle' was supposed to say iguana. I also don't think the python is quite big enough to eat our poodle. It could definitely take out a toy poodle though.

Funny story, one time my dad decided to get a hamster to feed the python instead of two rats. So at the pet store, he said he wanted a hamster, and the guy said "Do you want to pick one out that you like." So my dad said, "Pick out the ugliest or sickliest looking one you have, because I'm feeding it to my snake." The look on that guy's face was priceless.

[RipkenWay]

Oh yeah that was a typo, the first 'poodle' was supposed to say iguana. I also don't think the python is quite big enough to eat our poodle. It could definitely take out a toy poodle though.

Funny story, one time my dad decided to get a hamster to feed the python instead of two rats. So at the pet store, he said he wanted a hamster, and the guy said "Do you want to pick one out that you like." So my dad said, "Pick out the ugliest or sickliest looking one you have, because I'm feeding it to my snake." The look on that guy's face was priceless.

You are probably right. I'm not sure the python could eat a regular sized poodle. But it would certainly feast on a toy poodle.

I had a 10 foot long red tail boa constrictor for about 6 years. I had to get rid of it while I was in the military and moved to Germany. I used to get the same look from pet stores when I would go in to get rats for her.

I have to say that snakes are cool. I wish I would have been able to keep the one I had.

[bmorechop]

Who cares if they are venomous?:eek: They are all terrifying evil things!!!!:(
I dont know why Dipper has not moved.He lives in a horror movie!
Snakes make me mad!:mad:

Oh Cindy, not you too! :( They are not evil, terrifying things. They just want to live a happy life full of sunshine and love...and prey. :D But so do dogs and cats and many other predators that we've bred to be our pets!

[bmorechop]

My wife insists that *all* snakes are "copper-headed water-rattlers"... some are just wearing disguises...

You live in Alabama...I've lived there and I can confirm that everyone in the south thinks every snake is a water moccason/cottonmouth or a copper head (including my parents!). They are both abundant in the south, but the most common snake encountered is the rat snake.

[bmorechop]

Oh great! Now when I'm driving to work tomorrow morning, I'm gonna look down between my feet and see a venomous snake. I'll then swerve the car off the road, jump out, exasperated but safe, only to get struck by lightening. Then, as I slowly regain consciousness, I'll look up and get bit by the snake right between the eyes! I am never leaving my house!:D

Good one!!

[cindyluvsbrady]

Oh Cindy, not you too! :( They are not evil, terrifying things. They just want to live a happy life full of sunshine and love...and prey. :D But so do dogs and cats and many other predators that we've bred to be our pets!

My cat is very sweet and cuddily.It will not kill me or give me a heart attack!!!:eek:
Back Me up Dipper!!!!:002_ssmile:

[RShack]

You live in Alabama...I've lived there and I can confirm that everyone in the south thinks every snake is a water moccason/cottonmouth or a copper head (including my parents!). They are both abundant in the south, but the most common snake encountered is the rat snake. My wife has a B&B at the beach. We're near a Nat'l Wildlife Refuge. Which people like a lot. Except for the "wildlife" part. That makes some people nervous. They say there are rattlers in there, but I've never seen one. Plenty of foxes and rabbits though, and tons of birds.

Sometimes, a plain ole black snake will be slithering across the sandy/gravel road, and the ladies will freak. So I'll get the 12-gauge and go outside, aim it in the general direction of the empty field across the street, and make it go "boom". Then, I'll swagger back into the house and say, "'Got him", with manly decisiveness.

It makes everybody feel better ;-)

[cindyluvsbrady]

My wife has a B&B at the beach. We're near a Nat'l Wildlife Refuge. Which people like a lot. Except for the "wildlife" part. They say there are rattlers in there, but I've never seen one. Plenty of foxes and rabbits though, and tons of birds.

Sometimes, a plain ole black snake will be slithering across the sandy/gravel road, and the ladies will freak. So I'll get the 12-gauge and go outside, aim it in the general direction of the empty field across the street, and make it go "boom". Then, I swagger back into the house and say, "'Got him", with manly decisiveness.

It makes everybody feel better ;-)

If I come to your resort I will be using your shotgun myself!:D

[RShack]

If I come to your resort I will be using your shotgun myself!:D
Oh, hell, are you mad at me too?

[cindyluvsbrady]

Oh, hell, are you mad at me too?

Nope, just need to be sure the snakes are dead!!!!:002_scry:

[RShack]

Nope...
OK... good... ('just checking)



just need to be sure the snakes are dead!!!!:002_scry:
Even the plain ole black ones who don't hurt anybody?

[Dipper9]

My cat is very sweet and cuddily.It will not kill me or give me a heart attack!!!:eek:
Back Me up Dipper!!!!:002_ssmile:

Gotta side with Cindy on the snake issue. Maybe not a single other issue in life, but we're definitely on the same page when it comes to those slippery serpants! The only good snake is the one I never see! It doesn't have to be dead, it just needs to stay the (watch your mouth) away from me and my (watch your mouth)'n house!!!!!!! :D

On a side note, my lawnmower crapped out on me and so I gave it to a buddy to fix. He called today and said pick it up tomorrow. He said it was something stupid, but would not tell me what it was. I have a sneaky suspicion that one of the snakes from my yard got into my garage and curled up inside the engine of the lawnmower. I'll let you know if he tells me in the morning!

[bmorechop]

My cat is very sweet and cuddily.It will not kill me or give me a heart attack!!!:eek:
Back Me up Dipper!!!!:002_ssmile:

How many people do you know who've been killed by snakes? You probably know people that have been killed by cholesterol, cars, etc., but you're not afraid of those things. I think you need to spend time at square's house to get over this fear. Pretty soon you would be holding a kitten in one hand and a snake in the other! You would grow to love that cold, leathery skin sliding across your arm!! And the tickle of that snake tongue on your ear! :002_sbiggrin:

[Dipper9]

How many people do you know who've been killed by snakes? You probably know people that have been killed by cholesterol, cars, etc., but you're not afraid of those things. I think you need to spend time at square's house to get over this fear. Pretty soon you would be holding a kitten in one hand and a snake in the other! You would grow to love that cold, leathery skin sliding across your arm!! And the tickle of that snake tongue on your ear! :002_sbiggrin:

Actually, I don't know about Cindy, but I am 33 and ALREADY have been on Cholestorol medicine for 3 years now. I'll be on it until the day I die...from a snake induced heart attack, no doubt! So, truth be told...I DO fear cholestorol! :D

By the way...lawnmower has been fixed...no snake coiled up in the engine!

[CamdenChick]

Ok so did anyone catch the sun paper this past tuesday? that guy from severna park, barry brady or something like that is basically a mini steve irwin i guess. the story was about how he does a show, and went WILLINGLY (well... yeah i guess so ha, i'm not smart...anyway...) into a cave called "The Snake Palace". They were studying why the snakes live there, and he was walking up to his stomach in bat crap and whatever else, when a python wrapped around his legs and bit him!! OUCH. ok, nice little cute harmless snakes, they're fun. but seriously, going into a cave KNOWN as the snake palace.... not in this lifetime pal!

[scOtt]

Kill 'em all. I don't care if they're venomous or harmless or if they help keep the mice population down or if their venom has the cure for cancer. KILL. THEM. ALL!!!





*shudder*

[cindyluvsbrady]

Kill 'em all. I don't care if they're venomous or harmless or if they help keep the mice population down or if their venom has the cure for cancer. KILL. THEM. ALL!!!





*shudder*

A voice of reason!:)

[cindyluvsbrady]

Ok so did anyone catch the sun paper this past tuesday? that guy from severna park, barry brady or something like that is basically a mini steve irwin i guess. the story was about how he does a show, and went WILLINGLY (well... yeah i guess so ha, i'm not smart...anyway...) into a cave called "The Snake Palace". They were studying why the snakes live there, and he was walking up to his stomach in bat crap and whatever else, when a python wrapped around his legs and bit him!! OUCH. ok, nice little cute harmless snakes, they're fun. but seriously, going into a cave KNOWN as the snake palace.... not in this lifetime pal!

I saw this too.I dont feel bad for this guy.He is crazy!!:eek:

[Dipper9]

Kill 'em all. I don't care if they're venomous or harmless or if they help keep the mice population down or if their venom has the cure for cancer. KILL. THEM. ALL!!!





*shudder*

A-Freaking-MEN!

By the way...we spent the entire day in the garden today with no signs of snakes, except for holes everywhere! I'll give all the snake lovers $5 each to come over and stick their finger in any of the holes!!!!

[cindyluvsbrady]

A-Freaking-MEN!

By the way...we spent the entire day in the garden today with no signs of snakes, except for holes everywhere! I'll give all the snake lovers $5 each to come over and stick their finger in any of the holes!!!!

There has got to some kind of posion you could pour into the holes and kill them all.:eek:

[The Wedge]

Some of you scare me far more than snakes do.

[bmorechop]

A-Freaking-MEN!

By the way...we spent the entire day in the garden today with no signs of snakes, except for holes everywhere! I'll give all the snake lovers $5 each to come over and stick their finger in any of the holes!!!!

If I didn't live thousands of miles from you then I would take you up on the offer! That's easy, easy money. :)

I know this is a waste of our time, but snakes don't live in holes in your yard. Seriously. A snake may forage in a mouse tunnel or something similar, but unless you live in an area with Gopher Tortoises (which live in long leaf pine savannahs on the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico), then there are no snakes in your area that live in holes in your yard.

I grew up in the deep south and am well versed in snake hatin', but it's irrational hate...unlike say hating the MFY's!! :D

[Dipper9]

If I didn't live thousands of miles from you then I would take you up on the offer! That's easy, easy money. :)

I know this is a waste of our time, but snakes don't live in holes in your yard. Seriously. A snake may forage in a mouse tunnel or something similar, but unless you live in an area with Gopher Tortoises (which live in long leaf pine savannahs on the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico), then there are no snakes in your area that live in holes in your yard.

I grew up in the deep south and am well versed in snake hatin', but it's irrational hate...unlike say hating the MFY's!! :D

So if the snakes aren't in the holes, where are they living? I don't mind the chipmunks and squirrels. They can dig all the holes they want, but I swear there are at least 20 holes in our garden that look like havens for snakes.

[Witchy Chick]

So if the snakes aren't in the holes, where are they living? I don't mind the chipmunks and squirrels. They can dig all the holes they want, but I swear there are at least 20 holes in our garden that look like havens for snakes.

I'm no snake apologist :D, but those holes are probably from 'munks and squirrels storing stuff away for the winter. The other day, I noticed about 1/3 of the dirt from a hanging basket on my deck was knocked out of the basket and all over the deck. Seems Mr. Squirrel was trying to store some food for the winter in said hanging basket.

Stupid squirrels makin me mad!!! :mad: :mad: ;)


Witchy

[RShack]

So if the snakes aren't in the holes, where are they living?
Under your bed.
In your closet.
Under your car seat.
In your desk drawer.
Lotsa places... just look around... whatever place you think is safe, *that* is where they are, just waiting...
;-)

ps: Pretend you're a snake, just for a sec... you've got no arms or legs, you've got no teeth to speak of, and you can't call up roto-rooter... the only single thing you can do is slither, that's it... so, exactly *how* are you gonna make a tunnel in the ground?

[bmorechop]

So if the snakes aren't in the holes, where are they living? I don't mind the chipmunks and squirrels. They can dig all the holes they want, but I swear there are at least 20 holes in our garden that look like havens for snakes.

On the ground for the most part. Snakes definitely will crawl into holes, but not the kind you find in your yard. Things like rat snakes also spend a decent amount of time in trees. Same for garter snakes.

[Dipper9]

Under your bed.
In your closet.
Under your car seat.
In your desk drawer.
Lotsa places... just look around... whatever place you think is safe, *that* is where they are, just waiting...
;-)

ps: Pretend you're a snake, just for a sec... you've got no arms or legs, you've got no teeth to speak of, and you can't call up roto-rooter... the only single thing you can do is slither, that's it... so, exactly *how* are you gonna make a tunnel in the ground?

OK Shackles...

a) Not funny about under the car seat! Every time I have an itch on my leg while driving, I think its said serpant!

2) Even I gotta admit...That WAS pretty funny!

c) I know the snakes didn't "dig" the holes, but they most certainly can be living in them.

iv) If a snake has no teeth...exactly how does it bite me?

and finally...

5) I have a college degree. My mind knows that a garter snake cannot hurt me. But for some reason, if I was in a hallway with a snake on one end, and Jason Vorhees on the other, it would be a difficult decision on which way to run! :eek:

[RShack]

iv) If a snake has no teeth...exactly how does it bite me?
Well, I said "no teeth to speak of"... some of them have little itty-bitty teeth... but that wouldn't work for digging a tunnel... it'd be like the POW's in "The Great Escape" if all they had to dig with was one little itty-bitty, kid-size table-fork... they'd still be digging...



5) I have a college degree. My mind knows that a garter snake cannot hurt me. But for some reason, if I was in a hallway with a snake on one end, and Jason Vorhees on the other, it would be a difficult decision on which way to run! :eek:
Oh, I understand completely. They give me the heebie-jeebies too. But I'd never admit that in public.

(Ooops.)

[Dipper9]

On the ground for the most part. Snakes definitely will crawl into holes, but not the kind you find in your yard. Things like rat snakes also spend a decent amount of time in trees. Same for garter snakes.

Oh great...another place to avoid. So, just to summarize...

Stay away from holes, my car, under cabinets, sitting on toilet seats, bed sheets, pillow cases, the yard in general, the air conditioner, and now trees.

When they throw me in the looney bin, at least my friends at the OH will know why I'm there! I'll be like the kid in the Sixth Sense..."I see snakes. They're everywhere!"

[RShack]

Oh great...another place to avoid. So, just to summarize...

Stay away from holes, my car, under cabinets, sitting on toilet seats, bed sheets, pillow cases, the yard in general, the air conditioner, and now trees.
How about behind your computer? There's prolly lots of wires back there... but are *all* of them wires?

Maybe all of them are wires today. But what about tomorrow? And the next day?

[The Wedge]

You're cruel. Funny. But cruel.

[bmorechop]

Oh great...another place to avoid. So, just to summarize...

Stay away from holes, my car, under cabinets, sitting on toilet seats, bed sheets, pillow cases, the yard in general, the air conditioner, and now trees.

When they throw me in the looney bin, at least my friends at the OH will know why I'm there! I'll be like the kid in the Sixth Sense..."I see snakes. They're everywhere!"

Now the toilet thing is real. I didn't want to mention this before, but toilets are the major breeding site of all venomous snakes in eastern North America. They become very territorial during the breeding frenzy and attack anything that looks remotely like another snake.

[Dipper9]

Now the toilet thing is real. I didn't want to mention this before, but toilets are the major breeding site of all venomous snakes in eastern North America. They become very territorial during the breeding frenzy and attack anything that looks remotely like another snake.

Good thing I only carry an earthworm. :D

[cindyluvsbrady]

How about behind your computer? There's prolly lots of wires back there... but are *all* of them wires?

Maybe all of them are wires today. But what about tomorrow? And the next day?

I dont think your funny!:eek:
Thats why I have a laptop with wireless:D

[cindyluvsbrady]

Oh great...another place to avoid. So, just to summarize...

Stay away from holes, my car, under cabinets, sitting on toilet seats, bed sheets, pillow cases, the yard in general, the air conditioner, and now trees.

When they throw me in the looney bin, at least my friends at the OH will know why I'm there! I'll be like the kid in the Sixth Sense..."I see snakes. They're everywhere!"

I know excactly how you feel:( The hanging from trees things totally flips me out.:002_scry:

[CamdenChick]

How about the rats in the city that jump from back porch to back porch, leap from flower pots, knock over trash cans. Yeah they scare me way more than a snake around here will I think. There was a time when the rat outbreak was worse then it is now, and we'd sit in the back window and try getting them with a bb gun. Didn't break the skin of those little crappers.