Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been looking for a large prairie king male for for my female for some time now and I would have had one last night except for some one got to it before I did.My family and I went night fishing last night in hopes of finding road snakes on the way home.Well the fishing went great and the frog catching to feed some of our snakes, but on the the way home my luck ran out.We didn't see any snakes until we got about a half mile from the highway when I spotted a large 5ft snake laying in the road.I stopped the car abruptly with know one else on the road and jumped out with snake hook and pillow case in hand.I thought it was a blck rat but when I looked closer it was a male prairie king,I think and it had just recently been hit by a car. It was a perfect 5ish ft specimum and it would of been great to have.I was deeply sadden and [bleep]ed all the way home.I know some snakes get ran over truly by accident of a night,but I live in a rural area and I know people who do it on purpose simply because they are afraid of what they dont understand.I try to educate the people I know about snakes but some still think they are slimy and they will bite you the first chance they get.Good thing there is still alot of us that still care about them.Oh well enough of my grieving and good luck to all today with your endeavors.John

My grandparents lived on the edge of a deep ravine and so did the surrounding homes.Everyone used to throw there brush and compost down the ravine.This was prime habitat for chipmunks,
rats,mice,voles,moles etc.There was also a running creek, spring fed.You couldnt ask for a better place to herp or a worse place for people who are scared of snakes.My grandpa and the neighbors would run out with there shotguns,rakes,dandelion cutters,you name it to kill a snake.My first close up view of a snake was the one my grandpa shot climbing on his fence.I was fascinated and appalled at the same time.I was 5 years old and remember it plain as day.At 91 years of age and still living in the same house he has a harder time hunting them now.Thank God.
They would all look like the gang from King of the Hill drinking beer and admiring there kills.In all these years my gramps still wont come into my home because I own reptiles.I
will never make him a convert but I have some of his neighbors..
Paul