>>Should I perhaps have him relocated by SCDNR wildlife management? Or do kings not really bite, just strangle then eat?

Jim,

SCDNR would just move the snake somewhere else and data suggest that many transplanted snakes don't survive, so you might be killing it by moving it. Remember, that snake is there because there is food for it to eat. Right now that food (probably rodents) is being eaten by a kingsnake. If you remove the king, some other snake is likely to move in and take advantage of the unused food supply.

All snakes can bite (as can all dogs, cats, horses, people, etc), but the bite of a harmless snake is,..well, harmless! It is little more than a scratch. Having rosebushes in your yard is more dangerous to children than a kingsnake. Futhermore, this snake is not going to bite anyone unless they try and handle it.

I think relocating it would be a waste of time. In fact, using this snake to teach your kids not to touch snakes but to let them live alongside you may be a more important lesson. Maybe your kids will be the only kids in the neighborhood that will learn to appreciate snakes' role in suburban society and that we can live with them and not have to fear them? Sounds like an opportunity rather than a threat to their safety.

Chris
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

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