How common are snakes in backyards?

[RunninJT]

In Austin proper I have never seen a venomous snake in 40 years, or scorpion for that matter. But get into newer developed areas around Austin or actual rural Texas and you will, just a matter of time. In the suburbs you will have to use a long handled garden implement to dispatch them since there are laws against firing a gun. However out in the country....FIRE AWAY!!!! Which we do quite frequently.

In rural Texas remember the 3-s's.

Shoot, Shovel, Shuddup.

[DashRiprock]

Originally Posted by mingna

I think a rat snake was the large one I saw lying in the road. It quickly slithered away to a ditch before I got any closer.

Might have been due to the blood-curdling scream I let out. LOL

fwiw, snakes don't have ears so they won't "hear" your scream although they can sense vibrations through their bodies under the right circumstances.

[mingna]

Originally Posted by DashRiprock

fwiw, snakes don't have ears so they won't "hear" your scream although they can sense vibrations through their bodies under the right circumstances.

Understand, I was joking (about the screaming, not the snake). I believe snakes sense their environment through their forked tongues, as well.

Also, the house I mentioned (in North Austin) noticed a dramatic drop in snake sightings after they removed the bird bath. It was probably attracting nearby snakes in search of water and/or prey, especially during the recent drought years.

[DCtoTejas]

Originally Posted by JT-3

There will be more if you backup to the woods, just let it go next time so you don't put yourself at risk. They are not aggressive.

I have small dogs, and it was living in my yard. No way I was letting it go. It was only about a foot long, and I used a 6 foot shovel, then let it sit for hours to make sure it still couldn't reflex bite before picking it up with other tools, triple sacking it and disposing of it. I wasn't at risk.

[RunninJT]

Originally Posted by DCtoTejas

I have small dogs, and it was living in my yard. No way I was letting it go. It was only about a foot long, and I used a 6 foot shovel, then let it sit for hours to make sure it still couldn't reflex bite before picking it up with other tools, triple sacking it and disposing of it. I wasn't at risk.

With a 6 foot shovel, yea that will do the trick.

[RooCeleste]

We live in a suburb in Cedar Park and we've had several snakes in our backyard, and one in our house (brought in by one of the cats). Thankfully, they've all been nonvenomous snakes, and we simply relocate them. My husband has saved two of them from the cats' wrath. The most reassuring thing is that we've had both of our dogs go through snake avoidance training, so hopefully if they encounter one of the big three snakes, they'll run from it and we will know something is remiss.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by RooCeleste

so hopefully if they encounter one of the big three snakes, they'll run from it and we will know something is remiss.

Which of the four local venomous snakes are they allowed to confront? .

[texan2yankee]

the only snakes I've seen in our yard are the good, harmless, welcomed kind that eat bugs and mice, commonly known as garden snakes. however, since heavy woods are located in the backyard it wouldn't be prudent to go poking around in rock outcroppings as surely a few not so harmless snakes live there and wouldn't appreciate being disturbed!