I just broke one of my personal rules

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So this little guy looks like an anaconda by comparison....

Nick (Not-Stig) Comstock wrote: In reply to captdownshift: I hope you realize I'm going to be awake all night now

Good policy. They only make snakes that small so they can wriggle up your nose while you sleep...

When people say 'garden' snake, they actually mean 'garter' snake, right?

Also, if we're keeping score, I love snakes and lizards. spiders though, not so much.

Never understood the fear of regular non poisonous snakes. I would be afraid of a coiled up rattlesnake, but a black racer? Leave the thing be. They all have their place in nature.

In reply to BoostedBrandon:

Or even rattlesnakes... I've come across a few while mtn biking in NE PA. Yes... there are rattlesnakes in the Poconos. Some can get fairly big: two I saw were over 6' long. We let them be, but it does make you think when you need to venture off trail for some reason.

Last time I broke one of my personal rules it was "Don't eat the whole pizza"

I'm a big fan of catch and release–mostly with lizards that sneak into my house.

My cat, however, has a different opinion. And he usually beats me to them.

My parents' old cat had an even worse policy- catch and psychologically torture the critter relentlessly until a human sees it and either releases it or puts it out of its misery. That final choice was made based on how many of its original limbs the critter had left...

Some local parks have gopher snakes that do a fair impersonation of rattle snakes. Rattlers are also around.

Nick (Not-Stig) Comstock wrote: In reply to stuart in mn: Pretty sure I've never seen a worm with a forked tongue

Then you have never met my ex-wife

In reply to stanger_missle:

This thread inspired me to determine if capturing a baby rattlesnake by hand was in fact, more dangerous than handling adult.

Short Answer: No.

But I'd still be careful with making sure you identify the snake before you grabbing it.

I've actually only killed snakes that my customers have asked me to that were living under their houses. Three of them over the years. Most times they didn't know they had snakes under there, I always let them know we found one, and if it wasn't poisonous, whether they wanted me to remove it or leave it alone. Most asked us to remove it and relocate it. I've had a couple customers tell me prior to starting work under the house that they knew they had a snake under there but just let it be as it keeps the mice away, first thing I did was find it, usually not too hard, and verify that it was just a rat snake and not a copperhead or some other kind of poisonous snake. If it was found to be poisonous we would have them call animal control prior to us starting work. Believe me, there is nothing worse than being under a house with only 18" of clearance with very limited mobility and very poor visibility and come face to face with a poisonous snake, I've been there. It's not fun.

I've ran across too many snakes to count out in the woods or even just in my yard. I just keep my distance, watch them for a bit, then move on and let them be.

I was just trying to put together a better story than "hey guys I just found a very small snake in my house and took it outside"

give me a bath in old used gear oil before........

I don't get along with nature.... carb cleaner/brake clean (in my shop) is bee/wasp/perceived stinging insect killer for me.

Snakes... my wife use to work for the Nature Conservancy, you'd think I'd have gotten use to it (nature).... anyway... snakes REALLY freak me the berkeley out... even those smaller then my finger

I really don't care for this topic, but I'll chime in. My mom woke up to a 3-foot snake coiled up in her house once. I was sleeping in the next room. My panic wouldn't have helped evict the horrible creature.

Another time, she came home to a 12-foot gator in her back yard. Authorities came to take him. And turn him into boots.

Did I mention, I really have no desire to move to Florida?

Gators don't bother me. They are less curious than bears and less likely spooked than a skunk. They remind me of a larger snapping turtle. Don't let our fingers get too close and you'll probably be alright. Oh, and keep pets indoors when they are around.

Fun fact - I enjoyed toying with gators while in the Everglades. I wasn't planning on trying to wrestle any or go swimming with them, but I did try to touch the tail of a 3 footer. Those guys move quick!

In reply to PHeller:

Just a FYI for you.

At 3 foot, they think they are food and they will run away from you.

At 13', they think you are food and they will run...the other way.