Okay so I am in Charlotte North Carolina. I have been trying to do more native plants over the last 6ish years. I've been doing my yard in sections so some parts are still weedy lawn, and some parts are pretty much completely native plants. Some parts are more open like my ironweed and aster bed that is more open than I would like, some parts are very densely packed like I had common milkweed and tall goldenrod volunteer in this one spot and I looked them up and I was like you were both important plants I will let you grow in this one spot but I'm going to mow around the entire outside because otherwise you will be my whole yard. They took that permission and ran with it and that is the densest part of my yard over the last like 3 years they have grown up together and gotten more and more dense.
I have been leaving the leaves for years I don't remember how many years. Last year I gathered up some of the leaves and used them as mulch in other areas, so some areas of my yard have very thick layers of red and silver maple leaves those are the major trees in my yard.
So suffice is to say I logically knew there were snakes in my yard. I knew that. They are part of the native ecosystem, it is impossible to have a native ecosystem without having snakes. I knew 100% that they were there. But the only snake that I ever saw was a teeny tiny little brown snake in the ironweed and aster bed and somehow my brain took that and convinced myself that there were not actually other snakes. If I had actually like thought this thought the rest of my brain would have been like yeah, no, thats stupid. But I didn't actually think the thought It was like one of those like deep thoughts that you don't actually realize you have.
Anyway so yesterday me and My dog (Lacie) are outside and we're doing some yard work. And I go to grab a couple more pavers to continue working on my terraces, which are coming along beautifully! And the copperhead in the picture is guarding my pavers. I like stumbled back and made like this noise I have no idea how Lacie did not freak out cuz she usually very much so reacts to my emotions. But I immediately gathered up my stuff and was like Lacie we are going inside.
So the entire time I was in the house after this almost encounter I was like pacing the house with so much nervous energy. I was also laughing at myself hysterically cuz I was like girl you a 100% knew snakes were out there. And later in the day He finished his sunning and we were able to go outside and work some more on the terraces but I spent the entire time I was outside staring at my feet to make sure I didn't step on him. At one point I was walking forward and Lacie stepped on the back of my shoe and I about flipped out. She stared at me like I was insane.
Anyway this whole post is to say that it is really weird the thoughts your brain can have that you don't even notice are there until they are broken and then you're staring at your feet every step you take and wondering if really you're thick rubber garden shoes are enough or maybe you should invest in some garden shoes that come up halfway up your calf. 🤣. Brains are so weird.
I have a pic of the copperhead, the terraces, and the dog. The terraces are still a work in progress. Eventually I will have diamonds going all the way up this hill overflowing with native plants. But this is what I have for now and I'm excited because it's the first time I really kind of see my eventual vision and what it will look like.
So everybody wherever you are know what snakes and other wildlife are native to your area and expect them to be in your yard. Because they will be.
by Safe-Essay4128
12 Comments
I just spray a jet of water near them (not directly at them) with the hose if they’re in a part of the yard I don’t want them or on something I need to use. If you do that a few times they’ll get annoyed and slither away. Some people use long (5ft+ sticks) to prod them.
You made the right call to put the dog away after seeing the copperhead. It’s okay to have them out later, but they will freak out a lot of times if they see the snake moving.
Also, hello fellow North Carolinian!
Hugs to you! Such an awesome and freaking nervous encounter
She’s a beauty. Looks like it’s eating well (you probably have a few less rodents running around). And good on you for having a reasonable reaction without moving into the ‘hurt the snake’ territory. I love snakes, but I’d be a bit shook getting surprised by that one too.
I mean, you basically made the snakes pattern with your pavers, it’s only normal they’re going to pop in for a look.
You sent out the ~~bat~~ snake signal!
I live in Pennsylvania and have only seen a copperhead once in my life. I really like snakes, but we mostly see garter snakes and northern water snakes. The one time I saw a copperhead I was almost right on top of it because we were hiking. I was freaking out in my head but somehow managed to stay calm and back away from it. I put my arm up to stop my cousin and just calmly told her not to panic and to back away. But of course as soon as she saw it she started screaming and ran away. I was like girl, I almost died because you panicked. 😂
Do you live near a water source by chance?
uggggh that is a beautiful snake
i almost got bit by a baby copperhead once but my Levi’s Sherpa-lined Trucker Jacket saved me
Very relatable post. Great job with all of your native gardening work. I’m really thankful my region only has tiny snakes without venom (currently).
It was a little hard to fully enjoy your post, though, because some of your sentences had upwards of 70 words. If you read it back to yourself from the perspective of your audience before you post, it will help you add natural punctuation.
With snakes, definitely you had the right approach. Stay calm–pretend that the camouflage is working–and walk away. I’ve yet to meet a snake that doesn’t either want to hide or run away from me. Young males are most at risk for being bit by snakes because they tend to mess with them or pick them up.
If you’re worried about bites, there are snake guard gaiters. It’s a bit overkill for gardening IMO but you do you. Cleaning up cover (such as that pile of pavers) or being hyperaware when near cover is also a good idea.
My Jack Russell terrier mix found this baby in my yard yesterday and I had to pick it up and move it to an area outside the fence so she wouldn’t kill it.
https://preview.redd.it/tjnsl3i4lp0h1.jpeg?width=2256&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c5db4312e0e49593481bb3fdcc30a64e620ac87
Diamond snake for your diamond terrace *chef’s kiss*
Reading this post gave me anxiety
Omg I would have screamed like a little girl – mostly worried for my dog. we are in middle TN with our fair share of copperheads too – I’ve seen them and timber rattlesnakes. According to the kid who mows for me, watch out they will fall from trees. 😬