Author Topic: Wrightwood Snakes (Read 56084 times)

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 .....

artology · « **Reply #1 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.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #2 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.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #3 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!

ForestGal · « **Reply #4 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!

Wrightwood · « **Reply #5 on:** Jun 01, 13, 08:56:12 PM »

More on Wrightwood California Mountain Kingsnakes:

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/kingsnake.htm

ChrisLynnet · « **Reply #6 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!

jadensdad · « **Reply #7 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!

Sandyz · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 05, 13, 08:37:09 AM »

wow, cool photos! Glad for the education also!

Wrightwood · « **Reply #9 on:** Jun 16, 13, 08:49:17 AM »

tcaarabians · « **Reply #10 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

Wrightwood · « **Reply #11 on:** Jun 16, 13, 11:21:05 AM »

Commonly Encountered California Snakes

http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/common.html

Joe Schmoe · « **Reply #12 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.

ChrisLynnet · « **Reply #13 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.

Nolena · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 16, 13, 08:30:54 PM »

I think I dated him once.

Chuck · « **Reply #15 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?

Nolena · « **Reply #16 on:** Jun 17, 13, 07:43:44 AM »

He changed up a lot.

tcaarabians · « **Reply #17 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

twinkie · « **Reply #18 on:** Jun 17, 13, 03:26:32 PM »

I think I just saw a California Striped Racer in my front yard. Moved very fast.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #19 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.

Author Topic: Wrightwood Snakes (Read 56084 times)

artology

jadensdad