Snakes

#52
#52
Freak said:
So I was cleaning up over on the wooded side of my house and ran into what I believe is a rat snake. I probably shouldn’t have killed it but my wife and daughter hate snakes and they saw it. So it had to be done. Killed it with an axe. Here are a couple of the pieces.

Does this look like a rat snake?
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That’s a harmless king snake. It’s a constrictor that eats rodents and other snakes - including poisonous snakes like the rattlers and copperheads. Contrary to most of the replies in this thread, you want these snakes around. They really clean up on rodents and other vermin and will kill and eat venomous snakes on your property.
 
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#53
#53
My wife and I were in the driveway of our new home last weekend and this huge black snake slithered across it. I mentioned it to my neighbor and he said the snake has been around a while. I've seen it since then in and out of the mangroves.

I hate snakes but I know those snakes keep bad things away. The good news is there is a warning of a snake being in the area...if you see the little lizards (which are everywhere) seek higher ground, you know there's a snake around.
 
#55
#55
Boca Vol said:
My wife and I were in the driveway of our new home last weekend and this huge black snake slithered across it. I mentioned it to my neighbor and he said the snake has been around a while. I've seen it since then in and out of the mangroves.

I hate snakes but I know those snakes keep bad things away. The good news is there is a warning of a snake being in the area...if you see the little lizards (which are everywhere) seek higher ground, you know there's a snake around.
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Large black snakes of North America include Indigo snakes, black racers, and Florida pine snakes. These are not venomous, harmless to humans, and beneficial in that their prey species include some which are pests to humans. Be happy that you share space with one. Live and let live.
 
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#56
#56
Tin Man said:
Large black snakes of North America include Indigo snakes, black racers, and Florida pine snakes. These are not venomous, harmless to humans, and beneficial in that their prey species include some which are pests to humans. Be happy that you share space with one. Live and let live.
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He's harmless. I'm getting used to seeing him. I just don't want him in my garage or lanai. LOL
 
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#57
#57
Our dogs were really interested in something in some honeysuckle vine in the back yard. Turned out to be a small copperhead. One of the dogs was bitten. Had some swelling, but didn't need anti venom.
 
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#59
#59
Killed this bad boy in my yard a few years ago while I was mowing.
 

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#60
#60
Snakes are a protected species in TN, illegal to kill them. Years ago some rural newspapers would print photos of citizens with the rattlesnakes they killed, TWRA game wardens issued citations to folks who had the photos in the paper. Evidence in print, like the photos posted on this site.
 
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#61
#61
LampVol said:
Snakes are a protected species in TN, illegal to kill them. Years ago some rural newspapers would print photos of citizens with the rattlesnakes they killed, TWRA game wardens issued citations to folks who had the photos in the paper. Evidence in print, like the photos posted on this site.
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You're right. I googled it yesterday after @BigOrangeMojo posted. I had no idea. Good to know moving forward as I plan to try to avoid this outcome in the future.
 
#63
#63
Freak said:
What kind? Large or small?

I've seen a few around my house over the years, but not too many. Once, when I lived at a different house, I walked into my garage and a huge one was hanging from the garage door rail on the ceiling. We almost had to move after that episode. lol.
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Friend of mine's wife sat down on the toilet looked down and there was a chicken snake wrapped around the bottom of the bowl....he had to replace the linen cabinet (she tore it off the wall trying to get out)
and I dont think she has been back in that bathroom since and that was 20 years ago!!
 
#64
#64
Professor Nono said:
That’s a harmless king snake. It’s a constrictor that eats rodents and other snakes - including poisonous snakes like the rattlers and copperheads. Contrary to most of the replies in this thread, you want these snakes around. They really clean up on rodents and other vermin and will kill and eat venomous snakes on your property.
Click to expand...
They kill and eat venomous snakes? Really? That's crazy. I admittedly don't know much about snakes, but I've learned a lot in this thread.
 
#65
#65
Freak said:
That's the fear for me. If one gets in my garage, porch, or my pool, I'm going to be forced to move. lol.
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Had one in my pool once, like to never got him out and glad the wife never saw it. Had one crawling up the basement steps that she did see, she didn't go to the basement for 6 months.
 
#66
#66
volmanjr said:
Friend of mine's wife sat down on the toilet looked down and there was a chicken snake wrapped around the bottom of the bowl....he had to replace the linen cabinet and i dont think she has been back in that bathroom since and that was 20 years ago!!
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My wife would be the same way. She'd lose her mind. lol. And my daughter is even worse.
 
#67
#67
hog88 said:
Had one in my pool once, like to never got him out and glad the wife never saw it. Had one crawling up the basement steps that she did see, she didn't go to the basement for 6 months.
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How did you finally get it out?
 
#68
#68
W.TN.Orange Blood said:
Has anyone ever eaten cooked snake meat. I hear it tastes like chicken. I wouldn't mind trying some.
Just don't tell me what it is. :cool:
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Lonesome Dove offers a delicious Rabbit-Rattlesnake Sausage appetizer. I've had it several times, including at Love's tailgate setup.
 
#71
#71
Freak said:
They kill and eat venomous snakes? Really? That's crazy. I admittedly don't know much about snakes, but I've learned a lot in this thread.
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yep. Black racers also kill rattle snakes and copperheads, they are good to have around, but will chase you if you come at them.
 
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#72
#72
Freak said:
You're right. I googled it yesterday after @BigOrangeMojo posted. I had no idea. Good to know moving forward as I plan to try to avoid this outcome in the future.
Click to expand...

Yeah, most enforcement will let incidents go if you can show it was self defense (i.e, you or family member was cornered, etc).
 
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#75
#75
BigOrangeMojo said:
Yeah, most enforcement will let incidents go if you can show it was self defense (i.e, you or family member was cornered, etc).
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My goodness... it's bad enough I have to worry about the cops, now we have to worry about TWRA putting you in jail...
 
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