Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this in the ratsnake forum also.

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?

BTW, I am in Georgia (North Atlanta)

Thanks in advance.

Brian

i dunno what it might be, but if you are able to confirm it's not venomous, i think a pair of garden/work gloves (and a long sleeve shirt) would serve your interests much more than a snake hook.

Lots of north american colubrids will run right off a snakehook, hooks really are only useful for bulky-bodied, slow-moving snakes like rattlers, moccasins, maybe big water snakes (and for turning stuff to look for harmless snakes beneath). and i guess a hook can fend off a black rat or something that is standing its ground, with a defensive kposture.

But with nice heavy gloves on you can just grab the animal anywhere and not have to worry if it turns on you. that's my 2 cents. let us know what it turns out to be.

terry