Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in Alabama and ran over this snake with the lawn mower. Just wondering what kind it is. Not the first time i've seen one like it.

That's too bad it was killed. That "was" a harmless Eastern Garter Snake(Thamnophis s. sirtalis).

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Thanks Doug, Yea my wife and I hate that it died. I just spotted another one at the end of my back yard. I would like to catch one and add it to my collection, which would make my third snake. They look like they are pretty young still maybe 12" long. What would you suggest on how to catch it without harm to the snake?

"What would you suggest on how to catch it without harm to the snake?"

Just reach down and pick it up with your hand (even if it bites you will hardly feel a thing).

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

Sorry, probable not going to do that. I was thinking of something that would not involve using my hands. Like a box or trap. I have an idea on how to build a snake trap, just not sure what to bate it with.. Might use one of my live mice.

Davy

Well, if you are that afraid to touch it with your hands, how are you going to even keep and maintain the snake as a pet?. That requires some definite handling.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Those two are two totally different situations. After it is captured, I am in control to an extent, in a controlled environment. Outside in the grass and bushes is there turf, not so controlled by me.

Once I have him/her, I have a pretty good technique for taming the savage beast.

DAVY

Really, just reaching down and grabbing it is the easiest and safest. If you are concerned with being bit, you could wear gloves. Be prepared to get stinky, garters readily musk.

"Be prepared to get stinky, garters readily musk"

LOL!,....very accurately said!..

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Well, Let me explain. Getting bite by a non poisonous snake is not the issue. I have a pond on one side of my house, a big creek though the back yard, a small stream going down the other side of the house into the bigger creek in the back. I am not that good at identifying snakes at a glance, especially when I walk up on one and have a split second to identify and reach down and pick it up before it gets away. We have rattlesnakes, cotton mouth's, water moccasin's and I have walked up on those at one time or another. So, when I walk up on a juvenile snake, with my lack of experience, its really not smart to just reach down and pick it up. Hope y'all understand that.

DAVY