Is this baby snake coiled up outside a gopher snake or a rattler?

D

Danny D.

Age of a snake is not determined by counting button rattlers.
Do not follow that notion for certainty.
Click to expand...
I know. They add buttons when they molt, which can be multiple times per
year; and, more importantly, they lose 'em from time to time.

Anyway, it wasn't all that big.

I didn't bother to measure it, but let's say it was only about 15 inches
to 20-something inches, and only about an inch thick or so (again, I
didn't even attempt to measure it).

I've seen muuuuch larger ones out here; so, I still *think* it was young;
but I really have no clue so I probably shouldn't have called it a 'baby'.

Juvenile might be more appropriate - or - a skinny short adult. :)
Let's hope it doesn't remember from whence it came!
 
D

DD_BobK

Just to be clear, I have no intention of 'playing' with a rattler.
My only goal was to identify it, capture it, and relocate it.
Safely.
Click to expand...
You & I have vastly different definations of "play around"

I'm meaning unnecessary proximity... high risk / low reward.

Take another look at the injury photos, couple that with probability
of getting bit and circumstances / behaviors that lead to bites.
 
D

Danny D

You & I have vastly different definations of "play around"
I'm meaning unnecessary proximity... high risk / low reward.
Click to expand...
Given the snake existed, essentially on the front steps:
What would your proposal have been?

a. Would you propose I simply leave it on my front steps?
b. Or I shoo it away onto the front lawn?
c. Or, maybe I chop the head off with a shovel?
d. Or perhaps I call the snake-be-gone guy to remove it?
e. Or that I capture it & relocate it?

Note: To be fair, I went back to all your posts in this thread,
to double check what you had suggested - and you did suggest being
careful - and you were one of the first to confirm the viper status;
and, you did provide that nice relocation URL of Dr. Steen who
has had a few conversations with me, and who asked for the photo
and who published it and answered some of my questions both
online and by phone.

Given all that, and given the snake existed, I'm not exactly sure
what *you* would have done had that snake been on your porch other
than you wouldn't "unnecessarily play around with it".
 
J

JoeBro

Danny D said:
Given the snake existed, essentially on the front steps:
What would your proposal have been?
Click to expand...
Just pick it up and bite it's head off. Be a man. Post a photo of it's
head in you mouth.
 
D

DD_BobK

I think the snake would get one chance to get into a bucket or trash
can laid on it's side (to get relocated). If it got a little cranky I
would give it a few loads of rat shot.
Click to expand...
+1
 
D

DD_BobK

Given the snake existed, essentially on the front steps:
What would your proposal have been?

a. Would you propose I simply leave it on my front steps?
b. Or I shoo it away onto the front lawn?
c. Or, maybe I chop the head off with a shovel?
d. Or perhaps I call the snake-be-gone guy to remove it?
e. Or that I capture it & relocate it?

Note: To be fair, I went back to all your posts in this thread,
to double check what you had suggested - and you did suggest being
careful - and you were one of the first to confirm the viper status;
and, you did provide that nice relocation URL of Dr. Steen who
has had a few conversations with me, and who asked for the photo
and who published it and answered some of my questions both
online and by phone.

Given all that, and given the snake existed, I'm not exactly sure
what *you* would have done had that snake been on your porch other
than you wouldn't "unnecessarily play around with it".
Click to expand...
Ya see DADD..... the details come out is dribs & drabs.
You're on scene, you have access to all the details available at any
point in time.

The NG readers must depend on you for information hence the propensity
for some to claim "hiding the football".

Based on your previous displays of "problem solving" ....
this current episode looked like the initial conditions for a major
disaster.

As much as I prefer not to harm wildlife .....sounds like the
suggestions for snake shot were more applicable than I'd first thought.
 
D

Danny D

Based on your previous displays of "problem solving" ....
this current episode looked like the initial conditions for a major
disaster.
Click to expand...
I understand. I'm no expert in snake relocation; but, the good news is
that I can learn, and, that I have learned.

First off, from the pictures you referenced, it can be an extremely
painful and expensive ($700K) experience getting bitten in the hand
(as that young boy's story showed that you pointed me to).

Also, you seemed to know right away that it was a rattler, although
at first, I wasn't at all sure (especially since I had caught a
gopher snake of similar colors in essentially the same spot last year).

Thirdly, I had none of the right equipment for handling snakes
(other than a lot of secure-topped plastic buckets and MIG-welding
gloves).

And certainly I don't have the experience of the snake catcher
who called me yesterday, and who gave me advice for relocating
the next one.

In addition, I had not learned the relocation advice which you
had pointed me to (Dr. David Steen) with whom I've had multiple
conversations over the past few days in terms of improving the
chances of a successful long-term relocation.

There are more lessons learned; which is the beauty, after all,
of learning from you more experienced guys.

As a side note, the snake-be-gone guy only charges $75 to remove
a snake; and he tries to relocate them within 500 yards in similar
terrain; and for $150 he does a snake inspection tour of the property.

My only wonder is how a snake sits and waits for the guy to arrive
because it has to take him time to get there - and - in my
experience, the snake isn't going to sit there exposed that whole
time.
 
O

Oren

+1
Click to expand...
I'll kill a snake that thinks he has the advantage.

30.06 works wonders in some places.

A former brother-in-law was struck by a eastern diamondback. The man
jumped so high from fright, but put ~7 round from a 10-22 Ruger. Then
he hit it again with the other remaining rounds. I had a bow an arrow,
no help fer snake killin' in a hurry.

Had one cottonmouth rest his head on my shoe. I backed out and walked.
 
O

Oren

My only wonder is how a snake sits and waits for the guy to arrive
because it has to take him time to get there - and - in my
experience, the snake isn't going to sit there exposed that whole
time.
Click to expand...
....the snake hides behind the clothes dryer until the snake police get
there. He is NOT able to open the door and escape.

Same with alligators in your swimming pool or one trying to eat your
dog.
 
D

DD_BobK

I understand. I'm no expert in snake relocation; but, the good news is
that I can learn, and, that I have learned.

First off, from the pictures you referenced, it can be an extremely
painful and expensive ($700K) experience getting bitten in the hand
(as that young boy's story showed that you pointed me to).

Also, you seemed to know right away that it was a rattler, although
at first, I wasn't at all sure (especially since I had caught a
gopher snake of similar colors in essentially the same spot last year).

Thirdly, I had none of the right equipment for handling snakes
(other than a lot of secure-topped plastic buckets and MIG-welding
gloves).

And certainly I don't have the experience of the snake catcher
who called me yesterday, and who gave me advice for relocating
the next one.

In addition, I had not learned the relocation advice which you
had pointed me to (Dr. David Steen) with whom I've had multiple
conversations over the past few days in terms of improving the
chances of a successful long-term relocation.

There are more lessons learned; which is the beauty, after all,
of learning from you more experienced guys.

As a side note, the snake-be-gone guy only charges $75 to remove
a snake; and he tries to relocate them within 500 yards in similar
terrain; and for $150 he does a snake inspection tour of the property.

My only wonder is how a snake sits and waits for the guy to arrive
because it has to take him time to get there - and - in my
experience, the snake isn't going to sit there exposed that whole
time.
Click to expand...
Even heard of the 7 P's?
Ever do any risk / reward ... cost / benefit analysis?

imo the potential cost for a bumbling rookie to handle a poisonous
snake? vs the benefit?

If you live in snake country and knew nothing about snakes maybe an
alternative plan was in order?

Next crisis? Brush fire? Got a fire plan? Equipment? Knowledge?
 
D

Danny D

I'm the last one to kill anything.
I typically grab spiders and toss
the outside rather than swat them.
Click to expand...
I find western black widow spiders outside all the time.
If you asked me to, I could snap a picture at will, in daylight, of
one, as they are *that* numerous out here.

And, their venom is reportedly 15x stronger than a rattlesnakes!
(http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/black-widow-spider)

Still ...

If I killed every one I found, I wouldn't, statistically, make a dent
in their numbers in my yard alone.

Birds, lizards, other spiders, even wasp predation has a greater impact
than anything my puny efforts could accomplish.

So, I don't kill them when I see them.
I consider them part of the "family".

But, I do warn the grandkids to stay away from those particular family
members. There's always one in every family ...
 
D

Danny D

Next crisis? Brush fire? Got a fire plan? Equipment? Knowledge?
Click to expand...
That's why I was clearing out and chipping the brush within 100 feet
of the house. It's all part of the fire safe plan (which you have in
your area also).

And, it's why I keep bolt cutters handy (to cut the chains on the fire
access roads), and fire extinguishers in handy locations.

And, why we all have wharf hydrants, by code, on our properties, since
we're all on well water.

And, why the town drops off those blue reflector things for us to
put in the driveway or roadway for the fire department to locate
our hydrants.

And, why the kids and grandkids know to assemble at the pool if/when
there is a fire.

What else would you suggest?
 
O

Oren

And, why the kids and grandkids know to assemble at the pool if/when
there is a fire.

What else would you suggest?
Click to expand...
Federal fire jumpers, from planes, may have a form or fire blanket in
the raging fire.

They can bundle in the blanket for safety. Maybe keep a couple in your
car.
 
D

Danny D

Federal fire jumpers, from planes, may have a form or fire blanket in
the raging fire.
Click to expand...
That wouldn't be a bad idea because we're in the highest fire hazard zone
they make.

I did toy with the idea of buying a pump for spraying the house from the
pool, but then I realized it would be about a thousand bucks in toto, and
would likely not be used because if the fire gets that close, I'm outta'
here anyway.

Plus, the fire department is only about 25 miles away, yet they still
made us pay that extra fire tax which isn't called a tax. It's called a
fee. So that way they could get around the laws that make voting in
California on tax raises harder. With a fee, it was easy because they
told everyone they wouldn't be paying that "fee" so everyone voted since
they want everyone else to pay their fee. I'm still burning up over it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

Baby gate 1
Anyone dismantled a Quinny baby carrier? 0
Church Uses Baby Monitor To Help Nab Suspected Copper Thieves 27
re varnishing baby cot 2
Baby Boomers Give New Hope To Remodeling Industry 4
Tomy baby monitor power adaptor (wall wart) 12
OT - Need Baby Bird Help 23
Baby gate and skirting board? 7

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 97 (members: 0, guests: 97)

Forum statistics

Threads
129,110
Messages
1,266,956
Members
10,787
Latest member
jagga009

Latest Threads

Top