nearly stood on a black snake yesterday (Berwick: house, living)

[sausages]

with an orange circle around its neck anyone know about these snakes it was about 15 inches long and moved fast

[Magritte25]

OH god. I would have died! I am SO afraid of snakes. We were at the Riverlands near the Power Plant in Berwick yesterday. My husband saw a snake down by the creek. Thankfully, it was right when we were leaving. He even said, "I shouldn't have told you that, should I?" LOL

A few weeks ago, we were driving home from the same place on Route 11 and there was a big black racer snake right on the highway! Blech!

I looked up what you described and came up with a ringneck snake which is harmless. Thankfully there were no pictures! LOL

[KarenRice]

Most snakes in our area are totally harmless. I am still petrified of them though! The only dangerous ones we have are copperheads and rattlers. I saw a rattler last year on 402 just north of Pecks Pond. It was unmistakable.

I thought I saw a copperhead in someone's basement one time - it was a very old home. However, it was not a copperhead but a milk snake, which can look like a copperhead - but is totally harmless except for the fear factor

[sues1]

Originally Posted by KarenRice

Most snakes in our area are totally harmless. I am still petrified of them though! The only dangerous ones we have are copperheads and rattlers. I saw a rattler last year on 402 just north of Pecks Pond. It was unmistakable.

I thought I saw a copperhead in someone's basement one time - it was a very old home. However, it was not a copperhead but a milk snake, which can look like a copperhead - but is totally harmless except for the fear factor

Just the fear factor by itself would give me a heart attack and kill me. Especially big ugly spiders, i would die.

[KarenRice]

I screamed to high heaven when I saw it, handed the flashlight to the guy who was with me, and said "If you don't mind, I'll be outside!"

Spiders I can handle, mice I can handle (mice still make me scream, which is very silly because I'm NOT afraid of them, they just STARTLE me....) But snakes - NO WAY NO HOW.

My new rule is - if the house is over 40 years old, I will NOT be going into the basement.

[poconoproud]

Originally Posted by sausages

with an orange circle around its neck anyone know about these snakes it was about 15 inches long and moved fast

it was probably a northern ring neck.

I don't think they are poisonous...

[sues1]

I don't know why we need such disgusting things on the planet, they say it's to eat other bugs and what not, well if the other bugs weren't here then we wouldn't need them. Just my opinion.

[The Big Tuna]

Originally Posted by sues1

I don't know why we need such disgusting things on the planet, they say it's to eat other bugs and what not, well if the other bugs weren't here then we wouldn't need them. Just my opinion.

Human arrogance. People never fail to scare the living crap out of me.

[lialleycat]

You're probably right, Poconoproud! Ring Necks are not poisonous and are so very cute! They are not aggressive and can be gently handled without being bitten. Of course if you hurt the snake or don't support it so that it feels like it may fall, it may bite. I've never been bitten by a ringneck. The ring around the neck can be yellow, orange or even red. They color extends to their bellies too. They eat earthworms, salamanders and sadly, other snakes.

I don't quite get the fear of snakes. I think that whole Adam and Eve story gave them a very undeserved reputation. They don't 'hunt' humans or try to find us to bite - they are usually just protecting themselves when someone does get bitten. That's more than I can say for my neighbor's evil little jack russel terrier and pug. I'd rather come upon a snake in my yard than either of those dogs loose!

Info for those not afraid of snakes is here:

Ring-Necked Snake Fact Page- What's That Snake? - OPLIN

eNature: FieldGuides: Species Detail

[Summering]

There were THREE my hubby saw up in NY at the lake. One under my car! One by the woods and one on the dock of the lake.
The poodle kept looking around and then dug into some leaves ( later in the day)......all of a sudden he jumped four feet off the ground ( I mean his four feet were off the ground) I think the snake hiding in the leaves, went to bite his nose........( harmless kind though anyhow)
That was the end of his snake hunts!
My daughter saw one come from under the sandbox......she didn't blink.
Me, I hate the darn things and I am so happy I didn't have to see one!!