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kristin31
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 Posted: 08/12/06 - 17:16 Post subject: A totally black snake...
lives in one of our garden areas. I have never seen a totally all black snake before, with no other coloring. I've seen him/her twice, including today, when he/she was sunning on the stones on the patio.
I looked it up on line but I can't find anything that is about 2/12 - 3 feet long and all black that lives in northern Florida.
Anyone know anything about snakes? I don't think it's a poisonous snake, but I'd like to find out because of Sierra.
FB? PH? Froggie?
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MechEngDropout
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Posted: 08/12/06 - 17:21 Post subject:
I just know them as black snakes. They can grow pretty big - 6ft or so, but aren't poisonous. But they do still bite if given no option. Eats small rodents, the usual snake fare.
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robp
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Posted: 08/12/06 - 18:54 Post subject:
Most likely it's a King snake or possibly a Hognose snake. Both fit the description you provided, both are non-venomous and they are good to have around because like Mech said, they are rodent eaters. Hognose's will act all radical in attempt to ward off perceived enemies, King snakes are somewhat docile but will bite when cornered. And the Kings have a mouthful of needlelike teeth.... and they'll stick in a person's thumb when bitten... and they'll draw a lot of blood... not that I'd know much about that type of situation or anything...
I'd leave it alone, they are beneficial to the environment and don't pose a threat to humans or pets.
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kristin31
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Posted: 08/12/06 - 21:47 Post subject:
Oh, trust me, I don't want to hurt it. I actually LIKE snakes, but wanted ascertain whether or not it was toxic. Anything that eats rodents is fine with me.
It startled me the first time I saw it. I was sitting on the little stone wall around our patio, and this snake just came slinking up the wall with it's tongue out. I got up and left it alone and it went back to the ferns by the patio.
Today, it looked like it was just enjoying the sun.
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Floridaboiler
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Posted: 08/12/06 - 23:30 Post subject:
Kristin,
Relax, It is probably just the common black snake, The eat moles, squirrels etc. They are one of the good snakes. If you leave them alone they will leave you alone.
Good Luck with getting used to the snakes, Rob had it pretty much right.
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crazyfrog
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Posted: 08/12/06 - 23:42 Post subject:
i agree with what everyone else said. its safe and non venomous.
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kristin31
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 00:05 Post subject:
This is all good. I'm cool withe the snake. Anything that eats rodents is just fine with me. Same thing with geckos/lizards. They eat bugs, they are good.
(I had to warn Larry. He does not care much for snakes, but now we both know to leave it alone)
I was more worried about Sierra (my dog) frightening it by accident and it biting her and being toxic than anything else.
Thanks so much for the advice, mech, rob, FB, and crazyfroggie.
This is sweet! Our house came with a built-in pest removal system! 
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Floridaboiler
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 08:25 Post subject:
| kristin31 wrote: | This is all good. I'm cool withe the snake. Anything that eats rodents is just fine with me. Same thing with geckos/lizards. They eat bugs, they are good.
(I had to warn Larry. He does not care much for snakes, but now we both know to leave it alone)
I was more worried about Sierra (my dog) frightening it by accident and it biting her and being toxic than anything else.
Thanks so much for the advice, mech, rob, FB, and crazyfroggie.
This is sweet! Our house came with a built-in pest removal system! |
Now I just need to find an anteater to get rid of the fire ants!
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kristin31
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 09:24 Post subject:
| Floridaboiler wrote: | | kristin31 wrote: | This is all good. I'm cool withe the snake. Anything that eats rodents is just fine with me. Same thing with geckos/lizards. They eat bugs, they are good.
(I had to warn Larry. He does not care much for snakes, but now we both know to leave it alone)
I was more worried about Sierra (my dog) frightening it by accident and it biting her and being toxic than anything else.
Thanks so much for the advice, mech, rob, FB, and crazyfroggie.
This is sweet! Our house came with a built-in pest removal system! |
Now I just need to find an anteater to get rid of the fire ants! |
You and I both. We have a big fire ant hill in the front yard. I think that the property management company is sending someone out this week.
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RangerG
Bounty Hunter
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 10:23 Post subject:
Armadillos and phorid flies are much more effective than an anteater. Besides the Armadillo is a cousin to the anteater and survives the cold months where the anteater would not.
I.R.SMRT
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genie
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 10:56 Post subject:
| Floridaboiler wrote: |
Now I just need to find an anteater to get rid of the fire ants! |
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Cappy
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 11:20 Post subject:
| kristin31 wrote: | | Floridaboiler wrote: | | kristin31 wrote: | This is all good. I'm cool withe the snake. Anything that eats rodents is just fine with me. Same thing with geckos/lizards. They eat bugs, they are good.
(I had to warn Larry. He does not care much for snakes, but now we both know to leave it alone)
I was more worried about Sierra (my dog) frightening it by accident and it biting her and being toxic than anything else.
Thanks so much for the advice, mech, rob, FB, and crazyfroggie.
This is sweet! Our house came with a built-in pest removal system! |
Now I just need to find an anteater to get rid of the fire ants! |
You and I both. We have a big fire ant hill in the front yard. I think that the property management company is sending someone out this week. |
Gasoline+Match=Problem Solved 
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robp
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 11:31 Post subject:
Uh... you might want to wait till Kimba chimes in with her snake stories before you get too happy about having them around.... 
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kristin31
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Posted: 08/13/06 - 14:12 Post subject:
| robp wrote: | | Uh... you might want to wait till Kimba chimes in with her snake stories before you get too happy about having them around.... |
Well, I hope it does not get into the garage (where my washer and dryer are located) and I surpise it or accidentally corner it one day! The garage has those old doors on a track that slide (it's a big fricking garage, or would be if the owners would get the rest of their crap out of it).
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