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This morning, when I was headed out for my morning walk, there was a large black, long, fat snake on our patio...OMG!!! He was just laying there.

MH went out to try and catch him with the Grabber thingy but he slithered away into our fountain (not waterfall) by the patio. NOW what do I do??? I know he's in there and its making me a nervous wreck

I sprinkled moth balls around the fountain leaving an 'exit' for him away from the patio/house. So here's my question....since he was startled/scared by the Grabber thingy and MH...will he not come back up on the patio? Please tell me yes

And then to make things even worse...on my walk, I saw TWO more snake...ACK!!!!

DS,

Sounds like your normal black snake - pretty harmless and more afraid of you than you are of it (well, probably ). He was probably just sunning himself on the patio, being cold blooded and all that. They aren't territorial, so I doubt you'll see a repeat performance. I'd give him a wide berth or he'll be afraid to come out - when he does, he'll go off somewhere else. I've never heard of mothballs affecting black snakes.

Thanks Tred!!

our patio is covered and this was at 6:45am so no sun was there yet.

Just thinking about it gives me the hibby jibbies

So you don't think the mothballs will work to push

him out from the fountain?

And what about Penny, my box turtle that comes up to the back door every morning for her strawberries?? Will he hurt her?? Why won't he leave?? He doesn't belong here!!!

I'm scared to go out there

The patio was still probably warm to the snake. I've never heard of a snake eating a box turtle - black snakes are constrictors, and unless he's strong enough to break open the carapace of the turtle, won't consider it food. Rodents and other smaller snakes are their diet. Basically anything larger than 3-4 times bigger than their head is about the upper limit if there is a lot food.

I doubt the mothballs will have any effect, but it's a novel idea . We see them a few times a year around our place, I don't think I've ever spotted the same one twice. If you are worried, there might be an animal control officer who can come get it, but I doubt it's worth the effort.

My uncle had a big black snake that hung out on and around his hunting and fishing camp house... We'd see it most times we went there...

My uncle loved having it around because it would keep the mice and small rat populations at bay...

They're harmless unless your a small rodent... They're like a good mouser cat except in a snakes body...

WB

...other smaller snakes are their diet

EWWWWWWWWWWW!! A snake eating a snake....now I'm going to be sick!!!

I really hope he goes away...I don't want him making this is home!!

Thanks Tred...I appreciate your insight

BTW...I love your sig line

WB...

Tell your Uncle to come get this one!!

King snakes eat rattlesnakes--maybe that will make you feel better.

I think your turtle is safe. Mice lizards, others snakes... not-so-much.

It has probably already gone away now that it knows there are humans in the area.

It's the year of the snake. Did you know that? It's considered a good omen for prosperity to have a snake in the house. I'd say a covered patio counts.

No Sad...that doesn't make me feel better

It's considered a good omen for prosperity to have a snake in the house.

if there was one in my house...well, it's safe to say I wouldn't be in it until it was caught! And then they would have to make sure it's wasn't a female that laid eggs.

OMG...I'm scaring myself even worse!!!!

And what about Penny, my box turtle that comes up to the back door every morning for her strawberries??

Awwwwww...that's so sweet

Will he hurt her??

Just tell Penny to go all Teenage Ninja turtle on his ass and she'll be okay

[This message edited by lieshurt at 12:45 PM, September 26th (Thursday)]

Whoops...hit Enter by mistake.

Penny is a tough girl...she's been with us for 21 years and comes to the back door every morning for her strawberries, crickets and sunflower seeds. I even made her her own little tray to eat off of

That snake better leave her alone!

Oh my god. I love Penny stories and I had NO idea how long you had been making her salads!!!

Sorry about your snake .

Rocks hold in warmth, so in the wee hours he just came out to get a little belly warming! Other than that if he's fat it's because he's eating a lot of rodents, and that's a great thing!! I would love it if a snake took up residence in my yard and kept the furry critters from getting in our shed. If I had a nice snake taking care of business, I would still have my nice patio umbrella that was eaten by mice, and DH's golf bag that was eaten by mice, and my Thyme patch, which was burrowed under relentlessly by moles until all the herbs died. I'd way rather have a nice friendly snake than destructive, fast breeding rodents in my yard.

I don't think he'll eat your turtle. He hasn't yet, and if he's fat then he's getting plenty of other stuff. Too many "soft targets" around to go for something tricky and hard.

In the end snakes really don't want to be around you as much as you don't want to be around them. Black snakes are just rat snakes and aren't that fussed, but black racers can be pretty aggressive if they're approached, but they are very speedy and usually will try hard to avoid you. They'd probably not stick around very long if they saw your patio used a lot.

Name the snake and keep him around. He will keep your rats and mice away.

Maybe he and Penny will become friends.

Meta...

For years Penny hung out under the bird feeder...she would eat any seeds that fell.

The one day a few years ago, I cut up some fruit for her and now, she practically knocks on the back door every morning

circe....

but black racers can be pretty aggressive if they're approached

well, it's safe to say...that will never, ever happen

How come you all know so much about such a hideous and scary creature

King snakes eat rattlesnakes

Witnessed this firsthand when I lived in California. One of the coolest thing I have ever seen.

That has to be one of the most disturbing and grossest things I don't ever want to see!!!

Not sure racers are that far west...most likely a common black snake. DS, if you can get a photo, we can confirm . An autographed photo is even better .

BTW - do you have any problem with rodents or amphibians? If not, then it looks like you might have a squatter pet...you can name him "OH MY GOD A SNAKE" or something like that.