Saturday, July 16, 2016

Woodland Life - Reptiles

You've already read how much rain this part of Seaford received the other day and there is still standing water at the back of the yard toward and into the wooded area.  

Some of you are terrified of snakes and I am not.  Matter of fact look forward to seeing the first snake of the spring and they are usually black or brown snakes.  Yesterday while near my shed saw some movement in a shallow water puddle and went to investigate.  
This is what I saw.  Naturally I didn't have my camera with me and wasn't sure the snake would still be there when returning with it ~ but it was.  If you tap the photos it will enlarge to see the bands around the snake.
I took two photos from the left side.  The snake is sunning in the warm sun and shallow water.
And two photos from the right side.  Was hoping to at least get one of the photos turned out so that I could identify the snake. 
Must admit that I was taken aback with the markings all the while wondering if it was a Copperhead.  Supposedly we don't have Water Moccasins in Delaware and since Copperheads ARE poisonous that was my concern with its markings.  No I did not kill the snake, never do as they have a purpose in the cycle of life.

If you would like to learn the identity of northeastern turtles, snakes, frogs, click on this link HERE.

Once I was riding my bike in the neighborhood and saw a snake slithering across the roadway so stopped my bike to look at the first snake of the season.  At a standstill by my bike the snake lifted it's head and flattened.  Now that scared the bejesus out of me even tho I knew full well this is not a Cobra snake state.  Nonetheless I hightailed it out of there and left the snake alone.

Come to find out it was a Hog Nose Snake which has a first line defense of that behavior and if that doesn't send the visitor away it will roll over on it's back and stick out its tongue as if it were dead.  That is its second line of defense.

Oh I'm sure neither Kim nor Lauren have managed to get this far to read this post.  Bet they both were gone when they got a look at the first photo.

Have a great Saturday night.

Saundra





11 comments:

  1. well, I AM a fan of 'good' snakes...black, green & garden. They are here, as 'we' are to do a god job of keeping the poisonous & not-so-good at bay.
    so, there... I guess!
    L

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  2. Did you figure out what it was? We get garter snakes and once I saw a huge black water snake, never knew we had them that big.

    Debbie

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  3. Poor Kim has probably gone in to cardiac arrest! I am not afraid of snakes. I posted snake pics many years ago and I remember Kim not liking them...not one little bit. It was a momma with a baby on its back, soaking up the sun.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  4. Well, I'll be darn, my first visit in a very long while and you are making friend with a snake and a Copperhead at that.... All we have around is your friendly garden snake variety and I'm totally not friend with it either. To be frightened by a Copperhead is just playing smart. Now you have Copperheads in your area. Better play it safe at a distance. I really don't like snakes just like our Lady Kim... Have a safe summer. Mine is extra busy this time around. No moss is growing on this chick. Wishing I was still enough to have moss growing on me, haha.
    Julia

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  5. I'm okay with snakes online...though I didn't do more than glance at your photos...hilarious that the hog nose snake will roll over and play dead...in real life I've seen very few in the "wild" and will happily keep it that way...my sister in NC has a heavily planted yard with huge black snakes as frequent visitors...she tells them she will leave them alone if the do the same for her...ugh...

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  6. Wow! Thats a big one! We have small snakes here,, dont like them, but dont see them too often,,,, thank goodness, thsnks for pics,,,,,

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  7. Oh my... Way too close for comfort !
    Great job with the pics ;)
    Rose

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  8. Oh I am with Kim oh how I hate them! They eat all the little frogs in the gardens that eat bugs. sorry just awful.
    cathy

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  9. Hi Saundra,
    Oh my goodness!!! You are one brave lady, my friend!!! After reading Julia's comment, I am so glad you are safe!! I did laugh when you shared about the Hog Nose Snake rolling on it's back and sticking out it's tongue!! I certainly would have "high tailed it" out of there, too!!!
    Take care and stay safe!!
    Heart Hugs~
    Julie

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  10. Ok Saundra , I hate snakes they just freak me out. I had two this year.
    You took great pics but I think if I had seen that snake I would have been scared to death. Be careful! Cheri

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Thanks for taking the time to visit and I always welcome comments.