Posted on 10/23/2015 1:51:43 PM PDT by w1n1
I’ve always been fascinated with snakes.
I will admit that as a youth they absolutely terrified me. While I ran around catching lots of lizards and frogs, whenever I bumped into a snake, I did less catching and more running.
As I got older and learned more about them, I began actually seeking snakes out in the hopes of seeing them up close and capturing them. I’d carefully handle the nonvenomous ones, take a few photos and then release them. I did get bit a handful of times, but for the most part the encounters were interesting and educational.
Every spring, as soon as it starts to warm up, I begin to see many of Southern California’s snake species out and about again. And as temperatures start to rise, usually during late April to early May, I start slowly searching the backroads for snakes.
Southern California has almost 20 different species of snakes, some of which are very comfortable living near suburban areas. Gopher snakes and king snakes are common species in many residential areas, where they find plenty of prey in the form of mice and other rodents. Those living in more rural areas will see coach whips, patch nose and rattlesnakes, all of which find their required habitat and forage near these less-developed areas.
Over the years, I have been lucky enough to find almost all the species indigenous to the Southland. It may seem a little odd, but my favorite snakes to encounter are rattlers. Their diamond-shaped heads, thick bodies and telltale rattles seem to signify authority and an animal that means business. Whenever I come across a rattlesnake, the first thing I grab is my camera. And I never get tired of seeing any of the species of rattlesnake that occur in Southern California.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC RATTLESNAKE The southern Pacific rattlesnake can be found close to urban areas anywhere small rodents and ground-dwelling birds exist. This is a very common species and is usually the one encountered by hikers and anyone spending time outdoors. Often referred to as a diamondback for the dark diamond shapes on its back, the southern Pacific comes in a variety of different color schemes. I’ve seen this species from a cinnamon brown to a dark gray in color. Read the rest of the story here.
'Ol Yarddog has a great pic of an eastern diamondback for runs 6+ ft he nabbed in those palmetto bushes!
Herpetologists are just like other people, except they're herpetologists.
I know that's a strange thing to remember.
Here is my dog with a smaller one.
he’s so proud, too
Salamander ping
Snake hunting 101?
1. Find snake.
2. Kill snake.
3. Repeat as needed.
Yes he was proud. Every few steps he would look back to see if I was watching.
The very BEST thing about a rattlesnake is that they taste really good....
Three summers or so ago, I'd just finished one off in the front yard when wifey came out and said there was an angry rattler all coiled and hissing in the back....given it's location under a dwarf citrus, I couldn't get a good whack, so ended up calling Animal Control.
The guy showed up and as I was showing him the filleted snake in the front, he started in with the "rattlesnakes are our friends" PC crap......then we got out back, and he took one look and said, "Shit! That's a Mojave! If you ever see another, kill it!!"
Mojaves are reportedly 20 times more venemous than Diamondbacks, and are very aggressive -- and the scary thing is they're known to NOT rattle before striking.)
Part Great Dane, part Lab, or both?
Part Great Dane, part Lab, or both?
Carry a 12 gauge shotgun!!!
An easier way to experience California Slitherers is to go to Sacramento or to Hollyweird where they are on display.
I got snake stories galore from SEA. The only one I’ll mention here is during an ambush, I pushed back a bush and saw a snake and quickly had it in my hand. We had a Kit Carson Scout with us and I showed it to him and he scrambled backwards with his eyes bulging out of his head. It was what was known as a ‘step-and -half’. The ARVN’s quickly dispatched it and observed me to see if I was gonna die in the next minute.
Not a fan. Will kill the timber rattlers and copperheads (NYS ya see). Leave the other slitherers to take care of the rodentia. Actually havent seen many of the venomous ones here. out west while camping across AZ in ‘75 I saw my fill.
Diamondbacks are just like Mojaves, except they're not as poisonous or aggressive.
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