Not 10 minutes ago I went out to the back pasture to get the boys to move them to their new pasturage, and I saw this handsome guy as I stepped through the gate:
Well helloooo there!Ok, I admit, the first words out of my mouth included several four-letter words and an accelerated heart rate, but once I realized he wasn't venomous, I ran for the camera.
Pretty sure this guy is a Texas Rat snake, and he was probably somewhere between 5 and 6 feet long.
Pretty sure this guy is a Texas Rat snake, and he was probably somewhere between 5 and 6 feet long.
On his way to the neighbor's pasture.I should mention that I used to keep a rat snake as a pet when I was younger, and I volunteered at the Louisiana Nature and Science Center in the herpetology department, so snakes are pretty familiar to me. However, if you come across one, it's always best to steer clear of them. A snake this size, while non-venomous, can inflict a good bite if you try to pick him up and don't get it right. And snakes are incredibly strong for their size and can be difficult to handle. There's absolutely no need to run for a shovel to try to do him in, either - not only is he harmless to humans, his main diet consists of rats and mice, so he's very beneficial in a place like this!
I sorta hope that he makes a home under the back shed or under the small house, but if not, maybe he'll at least come back for an occasional visit!
I sorta hope that he makes a home under the back shed or under the small house, but if not, maybe he'll at least come back for an occasional visit!
We had a HUGE rat snake taking up residency in the woodpile we used to have in the far corner of the backyard. We had zero mice and rats for quite some time... until it got so big (we measured almost 5 feet) and so agressive (trying to attack the dogs and showing up by the pool) that it just... wasn't safe. Felt bad, but I'd rather not end up on one of those "snake bite survivor" shows haha. Maybe it was a King snake... either way it was getting very aggressive!
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