Snakes in Boise area? (Eagle, Horseshoe Bend: house, living in, garden)

[Wurzig]

What kinds of snakes are in the Boise/Eagle/Horseshoe Bend area? I really don't want to be referred to web sites. I want to know if natives have seen any.

[boi2socal]

I think very small "garden" snakes are common. One of the family dogs did find a baby "brown" snake in the house...I guess it was about a foot and a half long and was lunging at the dog. A few days later the dog was barking outside and they found a much larger snake about 3-4 feet long along the side of the house. I think this is VERY uncommon but I'm not sure.

[boisefan88]

Rattlesnacks are extremely common in the foothills and other desert areas. I've seen two rattlers this spring already.

Other than that, bullsnakes, garden snakes, and the occasional python (not kidding, though I'm not going to pretend those are indigenous - they're not. Just some idiots that didn't know how to keep their snakes in their home).

[Wurzig]

Boi2socal, I always get confused when I see your posts......are you currently living in the Boise area?

Boisefan88, do you mean the foothills around the Horseshoe Bend area or the desert areas S. of Boise? (Where did you actually see the rattlers?) My husband has his eye on a house along the water in H.B, (the setting is pretty), but I have a snake phobia and don't want to end up being afraid to step outside the house.... (but first, we have to sell in S. Cal, so it may not come to pass anyway)....

I know snakes are good, keep vermin under control, yadda, yadda, but to me, ALL snakes are rattle snakes....

I guess, if I ever get there, I will only hike in the high altitudes.....eek!

To both of you, thanks for your input.

[Hesster]

I've seen a couple of bull snakes, but those weren't around the city.

[jfbd6805]

Wurzig - I have to agree with you that 'ALL snakes are rattle snakes' - I hope I don't ever see one.

Once, when I lived in NYC, my husband and I were in the Cloisters uptown and walking along a rock wall. I thought someone had left an interesting necklace or belt in the cracks, so I reach for it and it slittered away!!! It was a tiny snake!!! OMG!!!! Heart attack!

Never again.

I haven't moved to Boise yet (we leave tomorrow) but I will be watching this thread with interest to see if you get more specifics about locations.

[boisefan88]

I've seen rattlers in quite a few places around Boise - mostly in the foothills, the desert, but at times at a bit higher elevation - but never in the city.

I think I've seen maybe a few bullsnakes and garden snakes in the city itself, but not often. You do see quite a few snakes by the river, though.

[jfbd6805]

When you refer to the foothills do you mean along the actual trails or in the developments in the foothills (Highlands, East, Warm Springs Mesa, Harris Ranch, etc.)? Thanks.

[boisefan88]

Mostly in the trails and undeveloped areas, but come on - most of the developments up there are in and amongst the grassland that these snakes are or used to be. I'd imagine an occasional snake finds its way into a yard (most of them are xeriscaped anyway) or garage. Probably not often, though.

I do have a friend that lives off of Shaw Mtn. Road that has mentioned snakes before.

I'm not saying this to scare anyone. I don't think snakes should be a make or break deal. But we are in the high desert / intermountain West, and snakes are found here.

[boi2socal]

Originally Posted by Wurzig

Boi2socal, I always get confused when I see your posts......are you currently living in the Boise area?

I live in Hollywood. But visit Boise regularly as this is where my family is and where I grew up. My most sincere apologies for the confusion.