I heard Banjo barking his alarm. So for the next 20 minutes I kept watch in the yard; same familiar place near the a/c unit. Then Banjo would not stop barking and was now near a large mesquite. I noticed all the scrub jays and other wild birds having a right old-fashioned conniption. I went to get my binoculars and kept watching because Banjo was just incensed; I now know his snake bark.
And through my binoculars on the second story; I found the familiar spade shaped head poking up from a divet in our ground and it was making its way to the middle of our front yard. Mind you, it was only 3 feet long but, fat and healthy with 7 rattles; bent on hunting right off our front porch. So I kept watched until it curled up under another tree right next to tomato garden.
During this time; all the birds would take turns landing just outside of the snakes' range and making as much noise as possible. I called my hubby and told him in no way shape or form was I going outside. I could have tried to shoot from the upstairs window but, I would not been accurate. After hanging up with hubby and telling him about the 7 rattle monster in the yard; I lost it in the grass.
Hubby came home as usual, ate dinner, took a nap. and just on whim picked up his weapon of choice to see what he could find.
I really think this year with the extreme drought we are having this will not be the last venomous snake we see. As this is the fourth one in less than a month we have found in the same area.
I am also going to do a suggestion another friend made about making a small pond just away from our yard. Then snakes will be happy to hunt and our yard will return to being a safer haven; maybe I can rest in peace somewhat. What is your thoughts; kill or not to kill?
17 comments:
Well............. I don't like poisonous snakes, the other ones are alright. Best possible solution would be to find a trap that would keep both of you safe and transport him, far, far away and release. I imagine one would have to be a snake handler to do that one! :-) Wouldn't they breed if they had a pond and safe haven? Just sayin.....
Our motto is poison ones get chopped and not poison live except for the chicken snakes that get in my hen house. I just feel like conserving the few poison snakes that get around out home are not worth the risk to my family or animals and me killing a few a year makes no impact on them and even if it did,my families safety is more important.
ewwwwww... I am glad you guys got him! You know I hate snakes as much as you do! and given that guy was poison well his fate was certain in my book!
I'm totally okay with exterminating unwelcome poisonous visitors, though I think in the long run a watering hole to keep them distracted would probably work out better.
That's a good size rattle snake! I was born and raised in Arizona and we had them around all the time. Had a cousin almost lose her life because of one, and a dog that did lose his life. Most people think they warn you by rattling, but most of the time they don't! Very dangerous! Glad you got rid of him for the safety of your family and the pets.
"I know his snake bark"
bloody hell...I would freak!!!!
I MEAN FREAK!!!!!!
I hate snakes!
My only suggestion is get a few Black Snakes in the yard, Black snakes are an enemy of Rattlers and will kill them. The Venom of the rattler does not hurt the Black Snake and a rattler will leave the area knowing a Black Snake is present. Having a pond may invite Water Moccasins/Cotton Mouths which is a very aggressive snake. Good luck on ridding your yard of poisonous snakes.
Hey Tali, I don't mind snakes but, I am leery of the venomous variety. I can give them wide berth to live their lives. However, if they are too close to the house and our boys.
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! LOL
Sharon, I just want them out of our snake free zone.
Melodie, There is nothing more frightening that funning up on a snake in a cornered area like your hen house. Scares the mess right out of me.
Texan, I can say I was able to sleep that night. When the others got by unharmed I couldn't sleep.
T.L., I just need a place far enough away from my house. Say 100 feet or more.....
John, Trust me those fanged ones really do scare me to pieces.
Neurotic, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. :O)
Art, Do you have any black snakes for sale? LOL I will take a few hundred of those compared to say NONE of the rattlers. Thanks for commenting.
Take care all!
Happy Fourth of July to all who pass this way.
Mal
I don't blame you. I would never kill a non-venomous snake but with the dogs and goats (who are animals often too curious for their own good and can end up bitten on the nose, which is NOT good for sure)I would have taken no pleasure in it but would have done the same thing. I think especially with a snake so determined to stay close to the house for so long, geez! Not sure how to keep them out of your yard though. Have you thought about a pet mongoose? ;-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdg9gkmWsEA&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Can't imagine having to live with this fear. I guess one would learn though.....fast enough.
Like a lot of animals trying to cope with human infringement of their territory, makes one wonder what is the right thing to do. Guess it depends on the situation.....
I say off with his head. And, I totally can relate to Banjo having a snake bark. Where I few up in New England, my German short-haired pointer had a snake bark that was distinct from his other barks, no question about it. In our neck of the woods we did not see many timber rattlers, but definitely copper heads.
wow, I killed one while back packing once....not a fan of rattlers
Jen, Can mongooses be trained to stay within a particular terriority? HUMMMMS....
Jim, I can honestly say; I am glad the varment was dispatched. Zephyr would have normally been running through the yard playing. We have stopped him from doing what comes natural this year. :O)
Kiki, Copperheads are snippy little snakes. So dangerous; we have even seen a coral snake in this area. Way too close for comfort.
Greg, Neither am I a huge fan of rattlers. I will not kill them on purpose. I have seen people in cars run over one now, that I can understand. But, one staking out our front yard......?
Take care Ya'll!
K I L L - non venomous snakes are okay, I guess, cuz they'll eat the rats and mice. Anything else is TOAST on our property.
It's dry and crackly here, too. I'm hoping our few big trees don't die. We have one huge oak that is at least 150 years old and some catalpa trees that are losing leaves and have some dead branches in them.
We're praying for rain like everybody else.
Vicki, I think it is so sad and a testament to how dry it is when I watch the weather report and look for a tropical weather system. Hope you like taking care of chickens. Glad to help girlie, Mal
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