November 29, 2003
-
We were working in the garden today and under a rock Miranda found this scary looking snake. (She would like it known for the record that she was thrilled and not at all scared). Its intense black body, a red stripe under its belly by the tail, and a yellow one on the rest of its underbelly gave me a shock. The yellow collar around its neck seemed to indicate something poisonous. What wasn’t scary about it was its size. It looked like it could fit in the palm of my hand all curled up. Forget it!! No way was I going to pick up that snake. Instead, I picked up the camera, and the little thing stretched out and posed a bit before slipping off under a rock. I picked up our handy Field Guide to Florida book. It was easy to identify. The Ringed-Neck Snake! A simple descriptive name for a simple, non-poisonous snake. It still gives me the chills to be having snakes in my garden. I had just got used to having iguanas hanging out in the rubber tree above my head all day!
Comments (5)
I do not like snakes, small or non poisonious! I thought this one was going to be huge judging by the photo! Garden safely!
We have boa constrictors here! But they only grow to about 5′ and are so shy hardly anyone has ever seen them. They are ok looking, not beautiful like your little snake.
check your protected posting tab….
Snakes serve a purpose in this web of life we are a part of. For one they keep rodents under control – and maybe a rabbit that would be munching at your garden! . I’m glad you didn’t smash it with a shovel!
I didn’t realize you had iguanas there.
The other pics were great. I was surprised at the hotel story. What became of that? It would be difficult not to strike back at a person that was attacking!
Thanks for you visits lately. I hope all is well!
rr
I would have peed in my pants to find that! Unlike RR – I would have smashed it – or at least sprayed it with anything handy – hair spray, bug spray, weed killer, etc! I am terrified of snakes, lizards and bugs! I keep RR busy spraying our home to keep things out! LOL
Seasons greetings dear Dr Ellen. Time for an update???? I miss your blogs. I keep checking back