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Chair snake

susiesusie Member Posts: 7,694 ✭✭✭✭

Had to snatch another egg out of the mouth of the resident black snake. Not sure of the exact type of black snake. Just know it is welcome to continue its life in the barn to keep the rodent population down. Wish it didn't like free range eggs.


Comments

  • Ditch-RunnerDitch-Runner Member Posts: 25,406 ✭✭✭✭
     looks like a good old snake to have around 
    if my wife happen to sit in  that chair and the snake catch her off guard she would be in the next county before slowing down , 
     she is OK with snakes  will do no harm to one and as long as she is aware of them not afraid  but  when caught by surprise is a different story 

  • spasmcreeksrunspasmcreeksrun Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭
    excellent mouser........like our bull snake here
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited August 2020
    Black rat snake.  Get He Dog to give you the scientific taxonomy, because it changes with the wind.   :D
  • bustedkneebustedknee Member Posts: 2,001 ✭✭✭✭

    We have more snakes than I care to live around. People keep telling me they keep the rodent population down.

    Well, they aren't doing their job!

    The snakes must be eating something else because the mice are taking over.

    Mice are in the cars, my hunting blind, in the air filter on the tractor, in the sheds and the cats stay busy keeping the house mouse-free.

    I have tried 2 of the electric repellers I learned about on this fourm. They did not work.

    I placed the first one in the trunk of a car and set a trap beside it. 2 days later I caught a mouse. I sent the thing back for a refund and the company sent me another unit to test.

    Having reached my tolerance limit with the mice, I put it in the trunk then placed a paper plate beside it with a chunk of rodent poison on it. 2 days later the poison is covered with chew marks and the plate is covered with mouse turds. The repeller was happily flashing its lights.

    I'm declaring war on mice and snakes.

    Anyone that feels snakes should be protected, please post your mailing address then watch for the arrival of cardboard boxes with little holes in the top. You are welcome.

    I can't believe they misspelled "Pork and Beans!"
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,510 ✭✭✭✭
    bknee, let me see if I understand this...You are overrun with mice, and you want to get rid of one of the two control animals? No logic there that I can see. BTW, you have snakes BECAUSE you have mice.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • notnownotnow Member Posts: 1,860 ✭✭✭
    I'm so tired of cleaning flywheel fans on my mowers and other similar things, that I'm trying sloshing a little bit of waste kerosene down over and through the engine. I do wish I had more or hungrier snakes.
  • bustedkneebustedknee Member Posts: 2,001 ✭✭✭✭

    I figure if the control animal isnt controlling the mouse population it now falls to me to control the mouse problem (they built a nest in my hunting hat!).

    Once the mice pop is reduced it will be interesting to see if the snake population reduces as well.

    I suspect not. I think they will survive just fine on birds, eggs, baby rabbits, frogs, etc.

    Its my belief that when most people say, "snakes keep down the rodent population" they are simply repeating something they have heard, when in reality mice are a small segment of their diet.

    I can't believe they misspelled "Pork and Beans!"
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,510 ✭✭✭✭
    The difference is that a snake only needs to eat once every few days - or weeks. Your resident snakes may all be busy digesting in their cold-blooded way. Cats, however, can eat several times a day - and often kill just for the heck of it besides. Cats may be much more efficient, but don't count those snakes out altogether. Every mouse down counts, after all!
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 14,116 ✭✭✭✭
    Good on you Suzie for realizing not all snakes need to be killed. Many are beneficial and good to have around. 
    Rat snakes (Elaphe) are great mousers.
  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,740 ✭✭✭✭
    Crikey, she's a beauty
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
  • RTBrentRTBrent Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2020
    bustedknee said: Anyone that feels snakes should be protected, please post your mailing address then watch for the arrival of cardboard boxes with little holes in the top. You are welcome.
    We have snakes but most are rattlers or cottonmouths.  If you are wanting to do a trade I would do box for box even trade.
  • bustedkneebustedknee Member Posts: 2,001 ✭✭✭✭

    Rattler is supposed to be good eating.

    With the price of meat going up and up....and I have a can sealer???

    This may work out.

    I can't believe they misspelled "Pork and Beans!"
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,510 ✭✭✭✭
    Rattler is okay. It has the flaky texture of fish, but is less flavorful - and very bony. Battered and deep fried is how most places make it when they're getting people to try it, but that way just tastes like (surprise!) fried batter. All reptiles have a faint metallic aftertaste to them, are dry, and low in nutrients.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • mohawk600mohawk600 Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭✭✭
    I ate a killed rattlesnake one time, on a camping trip, spit cooked over a wood fire. It was okay but not great. I'm sure if us 15 year old kids knew how to cook it, it would have been better.
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,170 ✭✭✭✭
    I picked up a rat snake about the size of the one pictured a couple weeks ago.  Those things are strong and quick. After several seconds it managed to whip itself out of my grasp and headed into some tall grass.  We'd been appraising some timber and the two loggers with me ran like school girls at the sight of the 4'+ snake. They thought I was crazy or maybe just confirmed the "wild man" image .
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    The Timber Rattlesnake is protected in Texas.  If you kill one, best not post pictures on the net.
  • susiesusie Member Posts: 7,694 ✭✭✭✭

    I've always respected snakes and even let the copperhead, rattlers and water moccasins go on their way if they weren't in the yard. Poisinous in the yard meant it was a goner. Little kids and their curiosity are not a good combination in that regard.

  • susiesusie Member Posts: 7,694 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2020

    The chair is an old one sitting on an old TV in the barn. The chickens believe it to be a nesting box.

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