Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey gang...I am a huge snake lover and have always had snakes. Always captive born. Usually boas or pythons, but even had a canebreak for about 6 months (decided it was not in my best interest to keep this beast). Anyway, my buddy owns a landscaping company and has a job tomorrow. The homeowner has informed him that there seems to be a fairly large snake residing in the area they are planning on working, which is near the front porch. I have not seen it, but the homeowner said it was 4-5', mostly grey with red towards the tip of it's nose. Did noy mention anything about markings. I am very familiar with most boas, even many venemous species but know nothing about rat, king, bull or pine snakes. I feel pretty confident that it is probably not venemous, but will know for sure tomorrow. I will be able to recognize right away if it is venemous I assume. Here is my question...I have handled snakes many, many times and been popped many times as well, no biggie. I have not, however, tried to handle a snake in the wild. I usually leave them alone unless they are in the road, then I simply attempt to shoo them towards the side of the road. My friend said the homeowner wants to destroy the snake, but I said I would come get it and just relocate it to the woods. How difficult is it going to be to capture this snake assuming I can get it out in the open? I have a homemade snake hook about 4' long. Is this bugger probably going to try to bite the sh** out of me? I have no idea if in fact it is a ratsnake, kingsnake or whatever....does it sound like anything anyone has heard of? Was told it comes out frequently, likes to sunbathe and does not seem to bothered by the homeowner getting pretty close to check it out....any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Brian

I applaud your efforts. First things first: Make a positive ID. If it's 4-5' and mostly gray, it probably isn't venomous (unless it has a rattle!!) . But, my experience is that most casual observers considerably overestimate a snake's length, often by 50 percent or more. So it wouldn't surprise me if it's closer to 3 feet.

Where are you? General location (e.g., northeast Alabama) will help narrow down the possibilities.

Observe the area where the snake has been seen, and try to get a good look at it before trying to capture it. Assuming you can verify that it's nonvenomous, you should be able to proceed with little more than a good pair of work gloves. They'll keep you from getting tagged, as long as you catch him close enough to his head to prevent him from turning around and getting you on the forearm. You probably will need to watch and wait for the right opportunity to sneak in there while hes basking out in the open, and grab him before he heads for cover. In fact, setting up a cover might help trap him. If you can, lay down an old board or tarp that he can curl up under.

One last thing. When a snake sets up shop near a home like this, (s)he usually has a reason for staying around there. Like food. There may be mice around, or perhaps birds in the nearby shrubs. Watch for other small critters in the area.
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MichaelB

Michael, thanks for the response. Again, assuming it is non-venemous, will it be easier to go the slower, gentler route with my snake hook, getting his tail by hand and hooking him mid-way with the snake hook or using the work gloves and pretty much pinning him down and getting a good grip on him into get him into the sack?

BTW, I am in GA (North Atlanta)

Thanks again for the help....I doubt the snake will appreciate my relocation plan for him, but whatever keeps him from getting executed, right?

Brian

Now you have had the serious answer....

You could always arrange a herpetology meeting to look at the snake. Odds are you wont see it for dust !!!