Tag Archives: reptile

Snake of the week 2026-08-07

I was watching the dogs to my left.

Then I turned to my right, and about five feet away….

[Straight snake]
Straight snake

Not all that big, 3 or 4 feet, but a well fed Crotalus horridus, timber rattlesnake. Even with the strip down the center back like a canebrake rattlesnake.

I like ’em. They eat mice and rats, and I’m allergic to those.

-jsq

PS: Have I mentioned my snake-handling club?

Gutter Snakeskin 2023-01-08

Maybe I should clean out that gutter more frequently.

I’m assuming an oak snake left that skin, but of course I assumed that about the snake that turned out to be a rattlesnake.

[Gutter snakeskin on grapevine]
Gutter snakeskin on grapevine

Anyway, I also had to remove the grapevine, because it had grown roots into the gutter, completely blocking it up.

-jsq

Francine the softshell turtle laid some eggs 2018-05-30

Gretchen was working at the potting table under the end shelter when she noticed something odd right by the table. It was Francine, our friend the softshell tortoise, in from the woods, laying eggs in the same under the shelter.

Francine, Tortoise eggs

So we fenced the dogs out until she politely asked to be let out. Then I put Continue reading →

Cottonmouth moccasin v Yellow Dog and Brown Dog @ OPF 2016-11-29

At the far side of the pond, Yellow Dog spotted a moccasin before anybody else. The small but deadly Agkistrodon piscivorus didn’t stand a chance against the pair of experienced snake wranglers, Yellow Dog and Brown Dog.

Can you see the snake? (Tail, lower left)

Continue reading →