[Paul_Guraedy]

Hey, I don't remember carving that one.

[Dylan]

Good one.

This that a king snake?

Dylan

[Paul_Guraedy]

Dylan, this is actually a black snake. They are constrictors, as is the king snake, feeding on rodents and, I assume, other snakes. I have forbidden the killing of these snakes by the hunters who lease the ranch, by the cattleman who leases the grazing rights and by the neighbors who fish the ponds. I no longer have the large number of rodents around the house and have not seen a copperhead or rattlesnake around the house in years. This one was apparently hoping for a hummingbird meal on my porch (I keep about 8 feeders and have 60-100 hummers feeding here).

[AlArchie]

He, he,he......cool snake, Paul. I wouldn't mind them taking care of some of our pesky critters, but if Karen saw one of those in the yard, we'd have to move even Farther North!

We did have a pair (2) of hummers show up right after the snow storm last week though! There's hope for spring yet.

Al

[woodtrapper]

Originally Posted by AlArchie

He, he,he......cool snake, Paul. I wouldn't mind them taking care of some of our pesky critters, but if Karen saw one of those in the yard, we'd have to move even Farther North!

We did have a pair (2) of hummers show up right after the snow storm last week though! There's hope for spring yet.

Al

Paul, I am happy to hear your consideration for this snake.They are so important to keeping down the rodent population.I have seen people purposly running them over in the middle of the road.If they only knew.

[Clifford_Parker]

WOW!! That is a splendid example of the Black Rat Snake!! Great pictures too!

This species is officially the largest snake in North America, sometimes reaching over 8 feet in length.

[Tom H]

Paul, I spent one summer in 1952 on a dairy farm, that had 2 black snakes in the old farmhouse to keep the rodents out. I was "farmed-out" to the place because the two sons were still in the army. No one bothered to tell me about the black snakes in the house. On the second or third night I woke up with both of them in bed with me. I tolerate snakes yet today, but I'll never forget that night in the farmhouse. They do, however look real nice carved on a walking staff. Tom H

[Callynne]

Those are great pictures, Paul, bet that was a surprise!

When I was a kid we lived in a house with lots of black snakes around. My Dad explained how useful they are and why we don't kill them, I haven't been afraid of snakes since.....however.....Tom, I think I'd have had a heart attack if one (or two!) ended up in bed with me! Deborah

[Thor]

That snake is huge! After seeing the photo you posted earlier of your snake party on what looked like the same porch, I guess they don't surprise you. I do agree that they are worth respecting, but climbing into my bed is beyond reasonably tolerant to me too. I would definitely find a different place to sleep.
Thor

[Paul_Guraedy]

Friends (off-list) have asked me for an estimate of the length of this snake (there was another on the porch earlier in the day that I would think is a foot or so longer). I took a tape and did straight line measurements of the areas where the snake was draped and came up with 5'6" and I am sure that another 6" would be found it the twists were straightened out. This would put this one in the 6 foot range.

A few weeks ago I had a reunion of Peace Corps Volunteers and Missionaries here at the ranch. We were walking a road between buildings when we found a large black snake. Usually they will start to crawl away when appoached (they seem to have excellent eyesight); but, this one did not want to move. When I got close, I found out why. He had about 8 huge lumps down his body. Too large for mice; other rodents of that size would not stand by to be eaten so he would not have caught more than one, my guess is that he found a wild turkey nest and made a dinner of eggs.

It's things like this that keep me carving critters instead of people. They are just a lot more fun.