Eye on the Street
Decatur Metro | September 12, 2013
Willow Lane, Decatur GA (Aug 19th pic submitted by Heather)
Willow Lane, Decatur GA (Aug 19th pic submitted by Heather)
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Here snakey snakey!
I will feel much better as soon as another poster identifies this snake as something non-venomous, non-aggressive.
Hmm…The body markings make it look venomous, but the head shape on a snake that size looks non-venomous. No idea, but I also would love some reassurance from one of our amateur herpetologists.
That’s my pic and the friendly folks at Fernbank identified it as a non-venomous water snake. I still stomp my feet to give it fair warning that I’m coming through….and give it a chance to slither away!
Maybe a Northern Water Snake, based on markings?
. . . and its brusque manner.
Hahahahahaha! For the win.
Bless its heart!
I would disagree with Fernbank! I’ve handled many a red rat snake, also known as corn snake, and while there is much variation in their markings I’m sure that is what is in the photo. I don’t know of any water snakes in GA that are that bright orange, and it fits with the habitat, too.
But yes, definitely nonvenomous, usually very gentle (although I wouldn’t suggest picking one up unless you were familiar with handling snakes), and most important of all EATS rats and snakes. That is a great sign for our urban habitat!
I would totally agree with red rat. Also known as corn snake.
+1
This is a good resource for GA and SC snakes:
http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/
Snakes, like guns, are all loaded and deadly.*
*Not really but I give both a wide berth.
Venomous or non-venomous…a snake that big can still bite, and it will still hurt. I agree with AMB…a wide berth is a prudent choice.
I hope that’s the last photo before the guillotine.
Snakes in a drain
To paraphrase Samuel L. Jackson, I have HAD IT with these mother f’ing snakes in this mother f’in Decatur!
I have a snake question for those of you who know snakes. Given that we have both venomous and non-venomous snakes in the Georgia woods, if the venomous snakes got killed off, would there be a potential ecological issue, or would the non-venomous snakes simply fill in for the lost venomous snakes?
“To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.” A. Leopold
Not sure if that particular situation has ever happened, but certainly the introduction of nonvenomous snakes have proven devastating to an ecosystem (e.g., brown snake and Guam, other Pacific islands). Also, some venomous snakes make up a not insignificant part of some nonvenomous snake’s diet.
Usually, when you remove a top predator from a system, it ain’t good.
Whatever its species, it’s gorgeous. I like snakes because they eat RATS!!! So, GO, girl–have at all these Decatur rodentials! (Yes, I made that last word up.)
Fernbank says the water snakes eats other water creatures like frogs, minnows and smaller snakes. So not a rat killer, unfortunately.
Ah, but according to our own herpetologists, it’s not a water snake…so, I’m counting on Miss Prissy Scales to consume some land vermin!
To those feeling queasy about the thought of snakes slithering around our beloved burgh, take heart. At least you do not live here: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/snake-island-ilha-de-queimada-grande
FYI I think I saw a coyote crossing DeKalb Ave this morning. It ran from the railroad tracks, across the street and through the Friends meeting parking lot (at Adair) into the woods. It was BIG!