Posted by:
chrish
at Tue Jul 15 10:37:40 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by chrish ]
Jennifer,
I suspect the snake was more likely a species of Gartersnake or a Striped Racer (Masticophis taeniatus). There are a few species of gartersnake in your area that have light stripes along their body and the Racer is grayish blue with lighter stripes as well.
I think the light stripes simply reflected the blue LED of your headlights making the stripes appear bluish. None of these snakes would truly fluoresce under LED light.
As for the snake's size, most people overestimate the length of snakes. Even experienced snake people will overestimate the size of a snake seen quickly in the field. Something about the linear nature of their body makes us do this. Inexperienced people (who only see a snake or two a year, for example) can often mistake the size by as much as 200-300%. It is very difficult to judge the length of a snake, particularly if it is moving. So I wouldn't immediately ignore any species possibility as long as it gets over about 3 feet.
In regard to the snake's behavior, I can assure you the perception that it was "lunging" towards you was more about your emotions toward the snake than vice versa. The snake simply was moving to try and get away. Perhaps your light was blinding/distracting it and it couldn't see you or your bicycle. And a snake doesn't "know" what a human is any more than it knows what a bicycle or the space shuttle is. Their brains simply don't function that way. It knew it was being "attacked" and that it had to get away - nothing more sinister or cognizant than that.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas
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RE: Snake Colors at Night - chrish, Tue Jul 15 10:37:40 2008