Please familiarize yourself with snakes native to your area so you aren’t surprised when you see them hanging out in your garden. This cool Western rat snake had, apparently, been hanging out in my empty hanging baskets. It was relocated to a safe spot in my yard and released to go about its business of eating rodents.
Edit: corrected from Eastern to Western Rat snake (multitasking is dangerous folks)
by StressedNurseMom
24 Comments
I wouldn’t mind a rat snake hanging around but I’d be pretty concerned for its safety if my neighbors came across it.
Excellent message. Snakes play a vital role in our environment
That’s a gorgeous snake. I love how chill it looks. I so wish to come a cross one here in the PNW. [edit: no rattles, thanks!]
I haven’t familiarized myself with all the snakes in my area. I have researched which ones are venomous though. That way when I do come across a no touchy one I know to give it plenty of space.
Just being pedantic but if you’re in OK it would be a Western ratsnake (*P. obsoletus*)
I love my little DeKay’s snakes! I encourage everyone to visit r/whatsthissnake to learn about snake id!
https://preview.redd.it/kfganl2rghsg1.jpeg?width=4650&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7695b4de992bba1116bfed62bc69a68c85ff8edc
I love seeing our native snakes, I’ve had two garter snakes and a DeKay’s visit since I started gardening! The DeKay’s was pretty much the cutest thing ever.
Hilarious that you found the rat snake in your hanging baskets, that’s super typical of them. There’s a saying that if you’re asking how it got there, it’s probably a rat snake.
So many people are scared of snakes but the majority of them aren’t dangerous in the slightest, and the few that can be want absolutely nothing to do with you and will not hurt you as long as you’re respecting their space. Most snake bites are provoked, usually by someone accidentally stepping on them or someone trying to kill them.
>familiarize yourself with snakes native to your area
This is important, because if you’re in, say, Florida, there are plenty of non-native, invasive snakes to watch out for.
Snakes *can* be native. Just look into it.
I presented to my neighborhood about native plants and the very next thing people started talking about was “there are snakes out on that new trail through the wetlands!” 🙄
I wish they’d hold up their part of the deal and hang out in the garden and not my basement 🙃
What a big, handsome boy! I’m glad he ended up in a friendly yard. I love snakes, I’m always wishing to see them in my yard but I appear to be snake free 🙁
Looks like a Tattered Water Haven
This! We’ve got venomous snakes out here like rattlesnakes and I will not mess with those (if they need to be moved, I’m calling a specialist), but garter snakes, rat snakes, and any other I’m sure isn’t venomous? We’re buddies and they can stay.
The Garter Snakes are waking up here in N. Illinois.
https://preview.redd.it/rwqxlp0nlhsg1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e36296168167033473e5e0630a835fecb026be82
Darn right! I have at least one that lives under my wood pile in the backyard. I spotted it a few times last year when out in the yard.
The day I saw a California Red Sided Garter Snake in my yard was a banner day for me. Unforgettable. Gorgeous!
Absolutely essential to life on earth, beautiful creatures.
Closest I’ve gotten to a snake on my urban 0.1 acre property is a foot long worm 😂 finding a snake would be a treat! Two of my three adjacent neighbors have pristine grass, so I’m not holding my breath
Aw, it’s so cute! I love snakes, but most of the species in my state are venomous and I’d rather not find those on my front veranda.
Some of this publication is specific to NC, but it has some great guidance on making your yard herp friendly.
I live in the country on acreage. I often see rat snakes and have seen Dekays and eastern king snakes, along with many many carolina anoles, skinks, and box turtles.
I have no doubt I have copperheads in the wooded areas of my yard, but I’ve never seen one. My only precautions are to keep dog potty trips short and in the inner yard at night, and to pay attention to where I’m putting my hands and feet.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/reptiles-and-amphibians-in-your-backyard
r/itsaratsnake
Seriously misunderstood creatures.
It is against the Tennessee State Law. You may not kill any snake
I saw so many garter snakes in my yard last summer! I hope they’re eating the rodents! And I hope I see them again this year.