Snakes are active in town

[Wrightwood]

Two rattlers were spotted in the past week near Oak & Blackbird.

Last week the Methodist Church Camp had a rattler in the middle of the camp and this morning another rattler was found near Oak & Blackbird.

Be extra alert!

[Bob C]

We had one in our driveway a few days ago.

[ChrisLynnet]

Oh, super. *shiver*

[Tomas]

Something is bringing them out. We caught two today near Jackson Lake. It had been a slow season until recently.

[Dave C]

Last week the Methodist Church Camp had a rattler in the middle of the camp and this morning another rattler was found near Oak & Blackbird.

Be extra alert!

About 3-4 weeks ago, I found a rattlesnake in the creek across the road from my house on Blackbird.  It was laying in the grass right off the walking trail up the wash.  This is on the north side of the water company property, several hundred yards away from the Oak and Blackbird intersection.  I have never seen a snake there, despite the occasional water in the creek.  I did not see it until the sound of its rattle, but I was on the lookout because I had some sort of premonition (a voice in my head said "this is a really great hiding spot for a snake") and several seconds later I heard it.  I threw a few pebbles to make it move and otherwise left it alone.

My dad (Chuck) brought over his weed whacker and trimmed the grass as a favor.  Unfortunately, I get a gnawing anxiety now when I walk there or up on the wash, especially at night. 

[ChrisLynnet]

That's what is scaring me, the snakes in the brush. The 1st snake that rattled at us at Grassy Hollow was on the road and I would have seen him if I'd been paying attention. But the 2nd snake was coiled just off the trail and I didn't see him until he rattled, even though I was scanning the trail. And the Lab that got bitten was struck by a snake that was also in the brush at the side of the trail.

I've stayed off all narrow trails since then and will just take streets and wide trails until the weather turns cooler. And I'm paying attention.

[Wrightwood]

Wildlife event of the day
Snake in our apple tree...........



California Striped Racer
http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/m.l.lateralis.html

[kew]

Wildlife event of the day
Snake in our apple tree...........



California Striped Racer
http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/m.l.lateralis.html

Are there 2 snakes in that picture? The racer and another (Black over Red) about an inch or so down the limb to the right of the racers head?

[Wrightwood]

All the same snake.

[gypsywolf]

Great photo! I have never seen a striped racer before. Thanks for sharing

[Wrightwood]

1st one that I can remember in Wrightwood.

[Wrightwood]

I wonder if Greg Mills from Ch9 would have stood under an apple tree that might have a snake in it?  (same apple tree)

[ChrisLynnet]

He (she?) is pretty. I don't have a fear of snakes per se, just rattlers that want to bite my dog's face off.

And that's a great photo as always, Wrightwood.

[budnett]

I saw in my yard?.....Black with long yellow stripe....skinny and FAST!

What do they eat?

Thanks for any info...sorry I couldn't get a picture of it!

[superMom]

Is it any of these? 

http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/snakes.id.html#striped

[Janie]

I saw in my yard?.....Black with long yellow stripe....skinny and FAST!

What do they eat?

Thanks for any info...sorry I couldn't get a picture of it!

My favorite snake: Masticophis lateralis lateralis - California Striped Racer

Nonvenomous. Considered harmless to humans.


Appearance
A fast-moving snake with a long thin body and tail, a broad elongated head, large eyes, a slender neck, and smooth scales. Dark brown to black with a pale yellow or cream solid stripe on each side which extends from the back of the eye to or beyond the vent. The stripes are relatively narrow - "2 half-scale rows wide." The underside is cream or pale yellow tapering to pink toward the tail.

Behavior
Dirunal, often seen actively foraging in the daytime with head and forward part of the body held up off the ground searching for prey with its acute vision. Climbs vegetation and seeks shelter in burrows, rocks, or woody debris. Very fast-moving and alert, quickly fleeing when threatened, this snake is difficult to get close to. Like most Masticophis this snake will strike repeatedly and bite viciously when threatened or handled.

Diet
Eats lizards, small rodents, small birds, frogs, salamanders, small snakes. Juveniles will consume large insects.


http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/m.l.lateralis.html

was writing this when the above message with link came in, decided to post anyway!

[budnett]

Yes, it was a Racer or Whipsnake

Thank you for the info....I have had 3 this week -different sizes and was getting scared!  lol's.

[RobertW]

While driving across Blue Ridge on Patrol this last Saturday near the Frost Peak access road, I came across a 4 foot Rattler that was stretched across the road.  Worrying for it's safety, I jumped out of the rig and got a broom.  I "encouraged" the rascal to move on off the road into the forest.

He was not a happy camper and I could hear him giving me "what for" even after 5 minutes of waiting for him to calm down.

What I like about Rattlers at that elevation is that they are very dark, almost black.  It was a beautiful specimen.  It was much darker than the Rattler I encountered at 3 levels this year.  The Rattler at 3 levels was more of a grey color.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture as I had used up my camera batteries taking pictures of 2 large Class III Bighorns at the top of Slover Canyon.

[smartpatrol]

I didn't see any snakes in August, but I saw one today.  He got chased with a hose, but he's probably lurking about still, unless he found something to eat already.

Only a couple more months of this until we get a break...

[ChrisLynnet]

Aargh! I can admire them from afar -- VERY afar -- but I'm sure spooked about them coming up close. Especially if one appears around your own house and is still hanging around! Yikes!