Scarlet Kingsnake (home, live, dangerous)

[StickyRice!]

beautiful!

[TRosa]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Noise behind the stove is almost always a mouse. Could be a harmless lizard, though. If it was a snake it would have cleared out by now. What any of this has to do with sharks is beyond me. I'm sure nothing to most reading this, but everything to my phobic mind when I read these eye cathing post that feed into my rather creatively active mind.Most critters are more afraid of you than you are of them. Really. National forest rangers say that most people that are bit by a snake are bit on their hands or arms. Why? Because people corner them and then mess with them. Have you ever watched the animal planet, some people were minding their own business when they were bitten. Besides, it's not even about being bit, I'm just squeemish and don't want to see one unless it's behind glass or on tv.Sarasota waters are nice and clear. Honestly, I must have some serious sight problem, (I do, but not that bad), the water isn't all that clear at Siesta Key. You'll see a shark coming. :. s. t.

Tell that to all those that have lost limbs.

I wasn't trying to derail the thread, I was just playfully saying that my reading about the various post on city-data of land and sea creatures were giving me anxieties. there were postings about sharks a week or so ago now snakes. Not a big deal, I was just jesting. From here on, I'll leave the humor out and stick to topic. Fingers crossed behind back.

PS, I'm going with lizard behind stove. haven't heard anything today, hope lizard, i'll have to move if it's a mouse.

[Debidew]

O.K. - I really don't like snakes and when we moved to DeBary, there were "tons" of snakes - racers, coral, corn, and rattler. I'd like to get in an area that isn't a haven for them. I applaude you guys that are not afraid of them and can handle them. I'm hoping the Sarasota area doesn't have a lot of snakes lurking.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Debidew

O.K. - I really don't like snakes and when we moved to DeBary, there were "tons" of snakes - racers, coral, corn, and rattler. I'd like to get in an area that isn't a haven for them. I applaude you guys that are not afraid of them and can handle them. I'm hoping the Sarasota area doesn't have a lot of snakes lurking.

If you don't go into the garden and the trim the bushes all the time you can go years without ever seeing one. Although they may be around (more in certain areas, and less in others) they will avoid you and hide so you won't see them if they know your are coming.

I understand that you wouldn't want to hold one, or play with it even momentarily. Most are gentle, have not teeth, even it they tried to bite you they cannot hurt you even slightly (only the poisonous ones can). That said, and the only reason I mentioned it is so that you really don't need to freak out and become hysterical just because you see one. Of course a 22' anaconda or python might make me grab my dog and run!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Debidew

O.K. - I really don't like snakes and when we moved to DeBary, there were "tons" of snakes - racers, coral, corn, and rattler. I'd like to get in an area that isn't a haven for them. I applaude you guys that are not afraid of them and can handle them. I'm hoping the Sarasota area doesn't have a lot of snakes lurking.

There are 45 different types of snakes in Florida with only 6 being venomous. Most won’t bother you and just eat things like small rodents, rabbits, rats, mice, and other types of small animals. The majority of snakes are good to have around the yard and control any over abundant rodent populations.

Many of the venomous snakes like to live in wooded areas under rocks or around swampy, marshy areas. Generally, they don’t want to be bothered when encountered, so if you leave them alone usually they’ll run the other way. Often times when people get bitten is when they try to handle a snake, not realizing that the snake is poisonous. If you kill a snake the snakes reflexes are still “live” for a short period after you have killed it, so don’t immediately handle it or you might get bitten.

The six snakes that are venomous are The Southern Copperhead, which is only found in the panhandle area and not in SW Florida. The Cottonmouth, commonly called a water moccasin, which is primarily found around brackish water and marsh areas. The Eastern Diamond Back, they like palmetto thickets, under brush and Gopher Tortoise holes and are found throughout Florida. Next is the Timber Rattlesnake which is only found in 9 counties in Florida and SW Florida is not included in it's range. Moving on to the Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake, which is found throughout Florida around ponds and in underbrush. And lastly we have the Eastern Coral Snake, which of my 37 years living here have never seen one. Supposedly they are found throughout Florida. If you absolutely hate snakes you could get this stuff called Snake-Away and I heard this keeps them away from your house or where ever you put it.

The latest news reports state that there is now an invasive species of Burmese Python known to inhabit the Everglades and they are large enough to eat goats. Although they are not poisonous they can be a danger to humans due to their large size. I have never seen this type of snake in SW FL.

[oddfellow]

I kill everyone I see. Just the way I was brought up. If it does not have arms it dies. I kill at least 5 or more every year. Even the rare ones have to go to the chair. LOL. Just like when we are on the boat with my buddy, if we see a shark we carry an AR15 and its bed time for bonzo. Fun dumping a mag of 223 at them anyway. I also run over snakes and just did a black racer in down town FT. Myers on the boarder of the historic section. If you cross the road and I can weave and take out anything with no arms its a goner.

[rainroosty]

Originally Posted by oddfellow

I kill everyone I see. Just the way I was brought up. If it does not have arms it dies. I kill at least 5 or more every year. Even the rare ones have to go to the chair. LOL. Just like when we are on the boat with my buddy, if we see a shark we carry an AR15 and its bed time for bonzo. Fun dumping a mag of 223 at them anyway. I also run over snakes and just did a black racer in down town FT. Myers on the boarder of the historic section. If you cross the road and I can weave and take out anything with no arms its a goner.

If I see waiting to cross the street I'll be real polite and wave to you to cross in front of me.

[PJSaturn]

Originally Posted by CBXBIKE

This Scarlet Kingsnake was on night patrol around the house. They are mostly nocturnal and its rare to see. About 20" long. What a beauty.

Gee, that IS a purty little fella! To my knowledge, we don't have any colorful snakes in NW Indiana. Oodles of garter snakes, some water moccasins in the swampy areas, and some nondescript small, brownish snakes whose names I don't know. Your little kingsnake is a beaut!

[PJSaturn]

Originally Posted by TRosa

Tell that to all those that have lost limbs.

I wasn't trying to derail the thread, I was just playfully saying that my reading about the various post on city-data of land and sea creatures were giving me anxieties. there were postings about sharks a week or so ago now snakes. Not a big deal, I was just jesting. From here on, I'll leave the humor out and stick to topic. Fingers crossed behind back.

PS, I'm going with lizard behind stove. haven't heard anything today, hope lizard, i'll have to move if it's a mouse.

Please don't leave the humor out, TRosa! I, for one, enjoy posts like yours. You humor may be lost on some, but not all, readers!

[PJSaturn]

Originally Posted by oddfellow

I kill everyone I see. Just the way I was brought up. If it does not have arms it dies. I kill at least 5 or more every year. Even the rare ones have to go to the chair. LOL. Just like when we are on the boat with my buddy, if we see a shark we carry an AR15 and its bed time for bonzo. Fun dumping a mag of 223 at them anyway. I also run over snakes and just did a black racer in down town FT. Myers on the boarder of the historic section. If you cross the road and I can weave and take out anything with no arms its a goner.

This makes me very sad.