WrightwoodCalif.com Forum

Public Forums => San Gabriel Mtns Flora - Fauna => Topic started by: Wrightwood on Oct 07, 03, 06:23:51 PM

Title: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Oct 07, 03, 06:23:51 PM
While walking on a dirt road this afternoon I ran across this little guy crossing the road.

I carefully photographed the baby King Snake, then let all the neighbor kids take a look before placing him or her in a nice rock pile.  10-7-03 .....

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/BabyKing1.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/BabyKing2.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/BabyKing3.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/BabyKing4.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/BabyKing4b.JPG)
 
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: artology on Oct 09, 03, 03:58:46 AM
Great shots! Snakes are so cool looking!
Until the shot next to the ruler I thought it was a much larger snake. What a great close up lens you have.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Oct 09, 03, 05:01:50 AM
The baby king was about 12" long and does appear much larger with the lens combination I used.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Jun 01, 13, 07:04:58 PM
Went under the house this afternoon and discovered this baby Wrightwood Mountain King Snake. Took pictures and relocated him in a rock pile near the guzzler .

Mountain King Snakes are beautiful snakes, and will eat other reptiles, including rattlesnakes!  They are immune to their venom.  Mountain King Snakes are very beneficial snakes to have around as well as beautiful!  Occasionally people get confused and will kill a King snake, mistaking it for a Coral Snake, but we don't have Coral Snakes in Wrightwood.

But it would be easier to remember that the only colorful snake with black, red and "yellow" we have here is the Mountain King Snake, so leave it alone!

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/6.1.13.KingSnake2.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/6.1.13.KingSnake1.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/6.1.13.KingSnake3.JPG)
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: ForestGal on Jun 01, 13, 08:06:19 PM
Great pics, Wrightwood!  I don't like snakes and don't think I could pick one up like that, but I do agree that king snakes are beautiful creatures.

I remember several years ago, a friend and I were hiking down the trail to Dawson Saddle, we were about 1/4 mile up from the highway, and a small one of these slithered across the trail in front of me.  My friend was walking behind me so she couldn't see the trail in front of me.  From my rather unladylike reaction, she thought at first that I had seen a grizzly bear or something.  It slithered under a bush but she was able to see a little bit of the snake.  We still laugh about that to this day!
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Jun 01, 13, 08:56:12 PM
More on Wrightwood California Mountain Kingsnakes:

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake.htm
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: ChrisLynnet on Jun 02, 13, 07:24:02 AM
Quote from: ForestGal on Jun 01, 13, 08:06:19 PM
I remember several years ago, a friend and I were hiking down the trail to Dawson Saddle, we were about 1/4 mile up from the highway, and a small one of these slithered across the trail in front of me.  My friend was walking behind me so she couldn't see the trail in front of me.  From my rather unladylike reaction, she thought at first that I had seen a grizzly bear or something.  It slithered under a bush but she was able to see a little bit of the snake.  We still laugh about that to this day!

That's hilarious! That is so me. I was hiking with Sunny off Blue Ridge trail and a snake slithered in front of me. My actual brain assured me that it wasn't a rattler but my body assured me that we were going to DIE. I laughed at myself, but boy did that startle me!
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: jadensdad on Jun 03, 13, 11:34:34 AM
A little phrase that can help identify King Snakes versus Coral Snakes goes something like this..."Red next to black, friend to Jack; Red next to yellow, kill a fellow."  While we have no Coral Snakes here, it's still a reassuring little phrase that's easy to remember!
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Sandyz on Jun 05, 13, 08:37:09 AM
wow, cool photos!  Glad for the education also! 
Title: Wrightwood Snakes - California Striped Racer
Post by: Wrightwood on Jun 16, 13, 08:49:17 AM
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: tcaarabians on Jun 16, 13, 10:13:13 AM
I've had what the locals here call "Red Racers." They don't look like the same snake. The ones here have been what I'd call a very dull red.. but red none the less... no visible stripes.  And, they are faster than fast. And, supposedly harmless to all except mice and rats.  I hope. cheryl o7o
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Jun 16, 13, 11:21:05 AM
Commonly Encountered California Snakes

http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/common.html (http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/common.html)
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Joe Schmoe on Jun 16, 13, 01:42:17 PM
Quote
California Striped Racer: This snake is common along most of the coast and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Often mistaken for a gartersnake

Got a movie of one of these at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden...I fell for the Garter Snake misidentification as well.  It let us get very close (a couple feet) while it was going about it's business.  I wanted to pick it up for a show and tell but we were close enough and I knew it would get me bitten.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: ChrisLynnet on Jun 16, 13, 04:47:32 PM
Dollars to donuts this is the snake that startled me on a side branch off the PCT, it moved across the trail so fast.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Nolena on Jun 16, 13, 08:30:54 PM
I think I dated him once.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Chuck on Jun 16, 13, 09:04:16 PM
Quote from: Nolena on Jun 16, 13, 08:30:54 PM
I think I dated him once.

But you said he was a weasel?
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Nolena on Jun 17, 13, 07:43:44 AM
He changed up a lot.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: tcaarabians on Jun 17, 13, 10:13:51 AM
Ok..none of the photos look like the 'red racers' I've had here. They are a dull red.. no visible stripes.. course they move so fast how would you know if they have stripes?  I have those snakes.. gophers.. and luckily no rattlers so far.

Nolena.. some day we'll get together and discuss 'snakes and weasels.'  cheryl o7o
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: twinkie on Jun 17, 13, 03:26:32 PM
I think I just saw a California Striped Racer in my front yard. Moved very fast.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Jun 17, 13, 03:34:30 PM
There appears to be an abundance of rodents this year (ground squirrels, mice, chipmunks) with snake sightings most likely to increase.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: twinkie on Jun 17, 13, 03:40:30 PM
As long as they are harmless, I'm ok with that.  A little scared of snakes because I don't know what's harmless and what isn't.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Calindy on Jun 17, 13, 04:43:39 PM
WW, can I share your photo on the High Desert Wildlife Facebook page? There are people on there that really know their snakes, plus it is a great picture that will be appreciated!
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Jun 17, 13, 05:01:49 PM
Yes that would be fine  ;)
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Calindy on Jun 17, 13, 05:15:09 PM
Thanks WW! Red Racer is DIFFERENT from the California Striped Racer!
Red Racer, (Red Coachwhip): http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/m.f.piceus.html
California Striped Racer: http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/m.l.lateralis.html

Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: tcaarabians on Jun 18, 13, 08:11:31 AM
Thanks. The ones I see here resemble the ones on the far right of the photos. But, they move too fast for me to see if they have the faint stripes. cheryl o7o
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Nov 22, 16, 12:21:55 PM
This past weekend while winterizing some water valves I discovered a King Snake 3 feet underground with no escape. The snake had been there a while as it had shed a skin.

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/MD_KingSnake11.16.a.JPG)

Once the approximately 36" snake was rescued it was placed on the ground near the guzzler

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/MD_KingSnake11.16.b.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/MD_KingSnake11.16.c.JPG)

A 1/2 hour later the snake was seen near the waters edge

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake/MD_KingSnake11.16.d.JPG)
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: AvocadoFlyer on Nov 22, 16, 01:31:00 PM
beautiful snake!  Nice rescue!
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: ForestGal on Nov 22, 16, 02:40:52 PM
Beautiful animal!  Thanks for sharing. 
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: ForestGal on Nov 22, 16, 03:22:56 PM
Just curious John, how did you get the snake out of that hole?  I personally am very snake-phobic, so I would have had to post about the situation and hope someone responded to help.  Even though I know it isn't harmful, I could not have touched it.  It truly is beautiful. 

I remember one, several years ago, that crossed our path coming down the trail to Dawson Saddle, after hiking to Baden-Powell.  We were about 15 minutes from the highway, and a small one, maybe 12", crossed the trail in front of me.  My friend, who was hiking behind me, thought I had seen a cougar or something, from my reaction.  We still laugh about that. 
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Wrightwood on Nov 22, 16, 03:42:40 PM
I have snake tongs but wasn't sure they'd open inside the small diameter of the metal tube so I took a piece of heavy copper wire and was able to bend a hook on one end. Then inserted into the hole and was able to hook the snakes body and pull it out.

Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: jek134 on Nov 22, 16, 04:31:13 PM
This isn't a snake story, but the last time we were at our cabin was 5 weeks ago. We saw a lizard in the entryway/foyer/mudroom and could not catch it. It seemed to disappear.  We were there over the weekend, and we caught him! Five weeks without food or water? We were amazed. How is that possible?
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Nolena on Apr 01, 17, 06:30:50 AM
I found this hanging out in Swarthout Creek. Is it native?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/Nolena/anaconda-water_1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Nolena/media/anaconda-water_1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: lynnc on Apr 01, 17, 06:59:55 AM
I'm guessing it is an April Fool's joke - right Kathy?
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Chuck on Apr 01, 17, 07:43:36 AM
We saw one at Devils Punchbowl yesterday down by the river.  I don't think they are dangerous.  Kathy let the grandkids pet it.

 
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: Nolena on Apr 01, 17, 08:25:47 AM
Sure! And there's a lot to pet! It's about 12 feet long.
Title: Re: Wrightwood Snakes
Post by: tcaarabians on Apr 01, 17, 09:26:49 AM
It seems to be curled up on what looks like tin foil.  On another note, Jeff, got his rattle snake booster this week. Just a reminder.
cheryl o7o