A few snakes
Apr 10, 2019 09:27:54 #
One day in LA. my sister-in-law was going out the door of the house and a water snake that somehow had gotten above the door dropped on her head. Now as you all know LA. is West of the Mississippi River but the scream she emitted was heard in Naches which is across the river in MS. Snake is shown in picture #1 Picture number two is a banded Water snake on my rail fence at my pond and is special because of the beetle on its head. The third picture is of a ring necked snake by my pond. These snakes are always there but we never see them and it is special when we find one. The under belly is usually orange. If snakes can be considered beautiful this one would be at the top of the list. Finding one of these just makes your day.
Apr 10, 2019 09:33:32 #
Apr 10, 2019 09:49:19 #
#2 is a beauty Spike and kind of comical. I like snakes but I can sympathize with your sister-in-law.
Apr 10, 2019 10:03:35 #
Apr 10, 2019 10:07:40 #
👍
Beautiful snakes. They do so much good for the world (keeping small vermin and pests under control), and it’s great to see them hanging out in people’s yards without fear... on either side!
Beautiful snakes. They do so much good for the world (keeping small vermin and pests under control), and it’s great to see them hanging out in people’s yards without fear... on either side!
Apr 10, 2019 11:45:01 #
I know many snakes are useful predators but I prefer to be far from them. I don't just kill them on sight but I don't fondle them either.
Apr 10, 2019 15:09:46 #
I should have recognized the corn snake. I have only seen them a couple of times and because I was on the edge of the lake and out of my normal surroundings I guessed. I also came across a small king snake that was really different and had a hard time looking it up on goggle. In our area every snake is a copperhead at least in the eye of the beholder therefore there are more copperheads killed than exist here. A ringneck snake snake is a rare find as is the green vine snake. Both are here but rarely seen.
Apr 10, 2019 16:47:30 #
Apr 11, 2019 07:03:29 #
Apr 11, 2019 08:24:47 #
Is the banded water snake the same as the northern water snake? Very similar and people have told me they are the same. Thanks.
Apr 11, 2019 12:47:09 #
The head pattern and back blotches don't match a corn snake, but definitely (I think) an Elaphe, a rat snake. There is one in Baja Calif. (rosaliae?), but I think more colorful. Maybe a gray rat? Too far west? Possibly an escapee?
Apr 11, 2019 14:05:07 #
Great series. Snakes are wonderful creatures. The second shot would be great even without the beetle but it sure adds to the image. As I'm sure you know, you have one venomous species in that set. 
Apr 11, 2019 14:50:53 #
Could be this Elaphe. Maybe escaped; mostly further east, south. A lot of snake fanciers in LA region.
https://www.discoverlife.org/IM/I_TQBH/0123/320/Elaphe_obsoleta,_quadrivittata,I_TQBH12361.jpg
https://www.discoverlife.org/IM/I_TQBH/0123/320/Elaphe_obsoleta,_quadrivittata,I_TQBH12361.jpg
Apr 11, 2019 19:46:40 #
Very nice and they are easy to handle usually. Make interesting pets for some . Had a few when I was a kid back in the day along with frogs and turtles and salamanders.......crazy childhood.
Apr 11, 2019 19:48:01 #
SWFeral
Loc: SWNM
I actually heard the scream all the way out here in NM. I was glad for the photos to explain the source of the unearthly sound. Nice snake pics.
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