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I spent parts of Friday and Saturday up in a West Virginia Holler looking for snakes - nothing.

While leaving WV for Kentucky yesterday, I came across this Black Rat on the highway in Fort Gay, WV. I thought: "Great - some SOB's killed another one! How many does this make today?"

So I stopped to get it off the road and take a pic, just for documentation's sake. Thought: "My, it really doesn't look that bad - what a shame." So I picked up the DOR to set it on the shoulder for a pic. Its tail curled around my finger? Ahhh - probably just a reflex.

Put it down stretched out with my cigarette box for scale (3 5/8 inches). !!!What is this? A tounge flick!? Maybe its not so DOR after all!!! Oh-oh, coughed up a little blood - its hurt! But...its ALIVE!!!

Well now this is a different story - can't just leave it here to die. Break out the emergency t-shirt snake bag! Now its a Rescue!

185 miles and 32 hours later, its still alive, showing signs of alertness and moving about. No more blood. No obvious signs of injury. Sort of groggy, but watches me move about, and even gives a tail buzz!

So, if its still alive tomorrow, its off to the vet!

Wish us luck!

John D

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

Cool looking snake. Hope he makes it.

reako45

Good thing it wasnt a venomous snake?

>>Good thing it wasnt a venomous snake?

-there are only 2 venomous snakes native to WV, the Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake, neither of which remotely resemble the Black Ratsnake. Timbers are very rare, extirpated throughtout most of their range, and would definitely deserve rescue. Even a Copperhead wouldn't have deserved a gruesome death on a hot WV highway.

Regards,

John D.
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

Good job: What's the snakes status ?

>>Good job: What's the snakes status ?

Alive but guarded - she defecated and drank water Saturday, but refuses food. Shows attention to activity, basks, and tracks food but will only defensive strike. A rather placid snake, maybe almost sluggish? Easy to handle and not at all hostile - almost acts like a CB & raised. However, refusal of food and possible sluggishness are worrisome.

More will be revealed.

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"