To kill or not to kill?

CThunder-blue · July 5th, 2011, 10:53 AM

I parked my car in front of my house this past weekend and when I opened the door, there was a small snake in front of my door. It was probably 1.5' in length, brownish color, and no real indication that it was harmful. Although I'm not expert on poisonous reptiles. I live in a residential suburb, but we're close to a lot of parks and maybe 5 miles directly off the bay.

My wife was getting ready to take our dog for a walk and I told her to stay away from the driver side of my car. She's really squeamish and scared of just about everything. My dog might have wanted to eat it. LOL. So she asks why and I told her. We walked over and the snake had crawled next to my tire. The wife freaks out and tells me to kill it, but I told her I felt sorry for it. The only concern I had was that it might crawl into my yard where my dog plays.

What would you do?

"A" · July 5th, 2011, 10:56 AM

Snakes eat rodents, probably will eliminate house pests such as mouses, rats...

Once it gets bigger, even possum or skunk..

Live2ride · July 5th, 2011, 10:58 AM

Can u take a picture of it? If not, can you describe it in more detail than just the brown color?

CThunder-blue · July 5th, 2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "A"

Snakes eat rodents, probably will eliminate house pests such as mouses, rats...

Once it gets bigger, even possum or skunk..

Rodents haven't been an issue for us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live2ride

Can u take a picture of it? If not, can you describe it in more detail than just the brown color?

Not really, I didn't get too close too look. It was tan colored with a black stripe or two. It was small. Maybe the size of an adult garter snake.

Live2ride · July 5th, 2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Not really, I didn't get too close too look. It was tan colored with a black stripe or two. It was small. Maybe the size of an adult garter snake.

I don't believe there are any poisonous / dangerous snakes with that description in your area. The majority of the dangerous snakes have a fancy design mostly including diamonds or a camo style color scheme and an arrowhead or triangular shaped head. Of course if it rattles, it's dangerous as well. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it's in your driveway or under your car it's most likely just basking in the heat and will leave you alone. I'd let it be unless you find it to be a dangerous snake; it will probably leave soon.

"A" · July 5th, 2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Rodents haven't been an issue for us.

Not yet, because the scent of snakes are around the house.. once the snake is killed, you never know.. but you can also adopt a couple of house cats that hunt for you.

bluepoof · July 5th, 2011, 11:27 AM

I'd leave it alone, but I refuse to vacuum up spiders too (much to the chagrin of my squeamish hubby

).

ducducgooseit · July 5th, 2011, 11:35 AM

As long as the snake stays outdoors, fine - it will consume undesirable vermin. BUT it will want to winter somewhere and a human shed or basement entry makes a very fine over-winter shelter. Food for thought.

CynicalC · July 5th, 2011, 11:37 AM

"A" nailed it. Most snakes are harmless, and control pests. You say you don't have pests but there wouldn't be any snakes around if there was nothing for them to eat.

would you kill a lizard for no reason? Oh and is your wife 9?

CThunder-blue · July 5th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepoof

I'd leave it alone, but I refuse to vacuum up spiders too (much to the chagrin of my squeamish hubby

).

LOL. I can't imagine your hubby being squeamish.

LoneRonin · July 5th, 2011, 11:44 AM

It was probably just a little Garter Snake...catch em and relocate em. Preferably in a forested bushy area...

bluepoof · July 5th, 2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

LOL. I can't imagine your hubby being squeamish.

He really, really, really hates spiders.

ally99 · July 5th, 2011, 01:06 PM

Most snakes are harmless and quite helpful! I hate when people kill them just because they were born as snakes. Venomous ones, particularly moccasins that tend to be quite aggressive, are a different story.

sombo · July 5th, 2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Not really, I didn't get too close too look. It was tan colored with a black stripe or two. It was small. Maybe the size of an adult garter snake.

Ah, that sounds like a rat snake. If I'm correct then it is truly harmless and will usually only come out at night. Sounds like the baby version of the snake I almost stepped on here in Orlando while walking the dog a few weeks back. It too was tan with black stripes down it's side. Although this one was more like 2' long and it didn't even flinch at me being within a foot of it. I think it was hoping it's camo would keep me from noticing it and it could go on it's way after I passed. They like small rodents, bugs, and if they can get them, eggs.

money · July 5th, 2011, 02:25 PM

As several other people have said, chances are it is non-poisonous, no danger to people or pets and will eat vermin so it's a positive to have them around.

Identifying whether a snake is poisonous is pretty easy in the US if you know what are common in your area and what to look for. One quick and easy indicator is head shape: many venomous snakes have a triangular-shaped head due to their poison glands and the difference can be pronounced. (see pic)

That being said, even if you're sure it's not poisonous, don't go handling it - they are still a wild animal. If you need to shoo it away use a stick or something.

CC Cowboy · July 5th, 2011, 02:43 PM

Snakes are good!

CThunder-blue · July 5th, 2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by money

As several other people have said, chances are it is non-poisonous, no danger to people or pets and will eat vermin so it's a positive to have them around.

Identifying whether a snake is poisonous is pretty easy in the US if you know what are common in your area and what to look for. One quick and easy indicator is head shape: many venomous snakes have a triangular-shaped head due to their poison glands and the difference can be pronounced. (see pic)

That being said, even if you're sure it's not poisonous, don't go handling it - they are still a wild animal. If you need to shoo it away use a stick or something.

Thanks Jason. I used a shovel to scoop it up

Snake · July 5th, 2011, 05:16 PM

As long as any creature is not a threat to myself, my pets or my house I leave them alone. Live and let live I say.

zilaniz · July 5th, 2011, 05:39 PM

I would leave it personally

SSR · July 6th, 2011, 07:12 PM

I have a corn snake and it's more afraid of people than anything. Although it has gotten used to my scent, if I stick my hand into the tank suddenly he will try to burrow to escape.

Just shoo it out of the way with a broom.

Now spiders *shudders*. That's a different story!

oroboros · July 7th, 2011, 05:33 AM

This copperhead was in my driveway recently... I let him go. We have Timber rattlesnakes too. I have yet to see one.

Jesse8931 · July 8th, 2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oroboros

This copperhead was in my driveway recently... I let him go. We have Timber rattlesnakes too. I have yet to see one.

he would have seen this

csmith12 · July 8th, 2011, 08:58 AM

I live in the middle of a large forest. These are on my NO-KILL list.

1. snakes
2. spiders
3. wasps
4. bees
5. owls
6. coyotes
7. stray cats

These animals keep my home in the woods beside a 180 acre lake a nice place to live in and to be outside.

FYI, my wife is deathly afraid of snakes too.

headshrink · July 8th, 2011, 10:55 AM

Kill. Snakes are satan.

headshrink · July 8th, 2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse8931

he would have seen this

almost40 · July 8th, 2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headshrink

Kill. Snakes are satan.

+1 lol

almost40 · July 8th, 2011, 11:02 AM

Burn the witch.................KILL IT, KILL IT...... LOL oops thought this was the Casey Anthony thread.

money · July 8th, 2011, 11:06 AM

If I see a poisonous snake around my house I would kill it, but only because I live in a populated area and there's too big a chance that it'd roam into the neighborhood and bite someone's pet or kid.

alex.s · July 8th, 2011, 12:03 PM

one time my brother found a dead rattler that was being eaten by wasps... one of the wasps stung him and apparently he got the venom. almost lost his arm it was so black and swollen.

now whenever i see a rattler or any venomous snake for that matter, kill the bastard and bury the head. we get rattlers about once or twice a year around the house... don't get any other venomous snakes though

money · July 8th, 2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

one time my brother found a dead rattler that was being eaten by wasps... one of the wasps stung him and apparently he got the venom. almost lost his arm it was so black and swollen.

I am confused.

headshrink · July 8th, 2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by money

I am confused.

I'm not sure, but I think he meant got the snake venom from the wasp..... but that can't be right. Maybe it was just an allergic reaction to wasp venom.

headshrink · July 8th, 2011, 03:42 PM

Making fun of myself here, and just to show how irrational my fear of snakes is... Once I was mountain biking and was just about to crest a hill, looked up and saw a snake (my head must have been down while I was climbing). I don't know what kind of snake it was, but it very likely a rattler. It has been a decade, but I think I remember it being coiled, possibly had a rattle, but just chillin' there (I know they are in the area - Pudding Stone park in San Dimas - I think that is what it is called). It wasn't very far from me, but it wasn't supper close to me either. My heart jumped out of my chest, and and I hauled ar$e down the hill at ~15mph. The whole way down I KNEW I was safe, but still pictured it right behind me, heart still pounding.

Don't know why... no real childhood snake trauma, just prefer we don't meet at all. Fortunately this fear doesn't prevent me from enjoying the outdoors, but I am cautious in certain areas... but I think that is just wise.

bettysmith · July 8th, 2011, 03:58 PM

Snakes are awesome! A buddy had a few Boa's and let me tell you, they give great neck massages! Friendliest creatures too.

Now mind you, this is not always the case. As Money said, be weary of handling it. Don't kill it. Live and let live.

n4mwd · July 8th, 2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oroboros

This copperhead was in my driveway recently... I let him go. We have Timber rattlesnakes too. I have yet to see one.

Most snakes should just be left alone. Copperheads, rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes should be killed on sight. Doing so makes it safer for everyone.

bettysmith · July 8th, 2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4mwd

Most snakes should just be left alone. Copperheads, rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes should be killed on sight. Doing so makes it safer for everyone.

Disagree. They are vital elements in their ecosystem. To F with something so vital to such a degree as killing on sight would be foolish.

Not to mention that we do far more harm to them than they do to us.

"Humans are undoubtedly the most dominant species the Earth has ever known. In just a few thousand years we have swallowed up more than a third of the planet's land for our cities, farmland and pastures. By some estimates, we now commandeer 40 per cent of all its productivity. And we're leaving quite a mess behind: ploughed-up prairies, razed forests, drained aquifers, nuclear waste, chemical pollution, invasive species, mass extinctions and now the looming spectre of climate change. If they could, the other species we share Earth with would surely vote us off the planet." (New Scientist)

n4mwd · July 8th, 2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettysmith

Not to mention that we do far more harm to them than they do to us.

You're welcome.

headshrink · July 8th, 2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4mwd

Most snakes should just be left alone.

.......as soon as they are killed.

akima · July 9th, 2011, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Rodents haven't been an issue for us.

Maybe they haven't been an issue to you because that snake has been hard at work eating them.

I wish there were lizards and more snakes here. Maybe I'm weird, but I think they're really beautiful creatures. Especially the tiny lizards - so cute!

KJohnson21 · July 9th, 2011, 07:21 AM

The only venomous snakes native to California are rattlers. Any others are part of the pest control.

mrlmd · July 9th, 2011, 07:51 AM

Like money posted, poisonous snakes have a triangular shaped head because of the venom sacs, nonpoisonous snakes have a head that is the same diameter as the body that just merges with the body in one smooth line, like a rope. Also poisonous snakes have slits for pupils in their eyes, non poisonous snakes have round pupils. Not that you would necessarily stop and look closely to analyze this if you suddenly came upon a big snake. Just watch out when walking in the woods that you don't disturb something lying quietly on the forest floor. Nobody including snakes likes surprises like that.

July 5th, 2011, 10:53 AM	#1
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	To kill or not to kill? I parked my car in front of my house this past weekend and when I opened the door, there was a small snake in front of my door. It was probably 1.5' in length, brownish color, and no real indication that it was harmful. Although I'm not expert on poisonous reptiles. I live in a residential suburb, but we're close to a lot of parks and maybe 5 miles directly off the bay. My wife was getting ready to take our dog for a walk and I told her to stay away from the driver side of my car. She's really squeamish and scared of just about everything. My dog might have wanted to eat it. LOL. So she asks why and I told her. We walked over and the snake had crawled next to my tire. The wife freaks out and tells me to kill it, but I told her I felt sorry for it. The only concern I had was that it might crawl into my yard where my dog plays. What would you do? __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

July 5th, 2011, 10:58 AM	#3
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	Can u take a picture of it? If not, can you describe it in more detail than just the brown color? __________________________________________________

July 5th, 2011, 11:27 AM	#7
bluepoof ninjette.org sage Name: Carolyn Location: San Carlos, CA Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250, 2002 Yamaha XT225 Posts: 597	I'd leave it alone, but I refuse to vacuum up spiders too (much to the chagrin of my squeamish hubby ). __________________________________________________ www.bluepoof.com

July 5th, 2011, 01:06 PM	#13
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	Most snakes are harmless and quite helpful! I hate when people kill them just because they were born as snakes. Venomous ones, particularly moccasins that tend to be quite aggressive, are a different story. __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

July 5th, 2011, 02:43 PM	#16
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Snakes are good! __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

July 5th, 2011, 10:56 AM	#2
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Snakes eat rodents, probably will eliminate house pests such as mouses, rats... Once it gets bigger, even possum or skunk..

July 5th, 2011, 11:35 AM	#8
ducducgooseit Name: ... Location: ... Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): ... Posts: 999	As long as the snake stays outdoors, fine - it will consume undesirable vermin. BUT it will want to winter somewhere and a human shed or basement entry makes a very fine over-winter shelter. Food for thought.

July 5th, 2011, 11:37 AM	#9
CynicalC ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Colin Location: Bay Area Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.	"A" nailed it. Most snakes are harmless, and control pests. You say you don't have pests but there wouldn't be any snakes around if there was nothing for them to eat. would you kill a lizard for no reason? Oh and is your wife 9?

July 5th, 2011, 11:44 AM	#11
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	It was probably just a little Garter Snake...catch em and relocate em. Preferably in a forested bushy area...

July 5th, 2011, 05:16 PM	#18
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	As long as any creature is not a threat to myself, my pets or my house I leave them alone. Live and let live I say.

July 5th, 2011, 05:39 PM	#19
zilaniz ninjette.org member Name: Jeff Location: PA Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 R6 Posts: 224	I would leave it personally

July 6th, 2011, 07:12 PM	#20
SSR ninjette.org guru Name: Jonathan Location: Ottawa, Ontario Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 398	I have a corn snake and it's more afraid of people than anything. Although it has gotten used to my scent, if I stick my hand into the tank suddenly he will try to burrow to escape. Just shoo it out of the way with a broom. Now spiders shudders. That's a different story! __________________________________________________ From here...to everywhere!

July 7th, 2011, 05:33 AM	#21
oroboros GDTRFB Name: Drew Location: SE PA Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - sold 2005 EX500R project Posts: 496	This copperhead was in my driveway recently... I let him go. We have Timber rattlesnakes too. I have yet to see one. __________________________________________________ I don't want a pickle Just want to ride on my motorsickle -Arlo Guthrie

July 8th, 2011, 08:58 AM	#23
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I live in the middle of a large forest. These are on my NO-KILL list. 1. snakes 2. spiders 3. wasps 4. bees 5. owls 6. coyotes 7. stray cats These animals keep my home in the woods beside a 180 acre lake a nice place to live in and to be outside. FYI, my wife is deathly afraid of snakes too. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 8th, 2011, 10:55 AM	#24
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Kill. Snakes are satan. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

July 8th, 2011, 11:02 AM	#27
almost40 ninjette.org Monkey Spank Name: Kevin Location: Illinois Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Track-Bike Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets FZ-6 track bike Posts: A lot.	Burn the witch.................KILL IT, KILL IT...... LOL oops thought this was the Casey Anthony thread. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

July 8th, 2011, 11:06 AM	#28
money ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Alabama Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 91	If I see a poisonous snake around my house I would kill it, but only because I live in a populated area and there's too big a chance that it'd roam into the neighborhood and bite someone's pet or kid. __________________________________________________ MTGATT

July 8th, 2011, 12:03 PM	#29
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	one time my brother found a dead rattler that was being eaten by wasps... one of the wasps stung him and apparently he got the venom. almost lost his arm it was so black and swollen. now whenever i see a rattler or any venomous snake for that matter, kill the bastard and bury the head. we get rattlers about once or twice a year around the house... don't get any other venomous snakes though __________________________________________________

July 8th, 2011, 03:42 PM	#32
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Making fun of myself here, and just to show how irrational my fear of snakes is... Once I was mountain biking and was just about to crest a hill, looked up and saw a snake (my head must have been down while I was climbing). I don't know what kind of snake it was, but it very likely a rattler. It has been a decade, but I think I remember it being coiled, possibly had a rattle, but just chillin' there (I know they are in the area - Pudding Stone park in San Dimas - I think that is what it is called). It wasn't very far from me, but it wasn't supper close to me either. My heart jumped out of my chest, and and I hauled ar$e down the hill at ~15mph. The whole way down I KNEW I was safe, but still pictured it right behind me, heart still pounding. Don't know why... no real childhood snake trauma, just prefer we don't meet at all. Fortunately this fear doesn't prevent me from enjoying the outdoors, but I am cautious in certain areas... but I think that is just wise. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

July 8th, 2011, 03:58 PM	#33
bettysmith ninjette.org member Name: Tim Location: philly Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 ex250 (Blue) Posts: 63	Snakes are awesome! A buddy had a few Boa's and let me tell you, they give great neck massages! Friendliest creatures too. Now mind you, this is not always the case. As Money said, be weary of handling it. Don't kill it. Live and let live.

July 9th, 2011, 07:21 AM	#39
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	The only venomous snakes native to California are rattlers. Any others are part of the pest control. __________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

July 9th, 2011, 07:51 AM	#40
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Like money posted, poisonous snakes have a triangular shaped head because of the venom sacs, nonpoisonous snakes have a head that is the same diameter as the body that just merges with the body in one smooth line, like a rope. Also poisonous snakes have slits for pupils in their eyes, non poisonous snakes have round pupils. Not that you would necessarily stop and look closely to analyze this if you suddenly came upon a big snake. Just watch out when walking in the woods that you don't disturb something lying quietly on the forest floor. Nobody including snakes likes surprises like that.

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