Snake in backyard...more questions & another possibility....

cadillac · #1 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 04:00 AM

Thanks SO much for answers to my previous post, they were are very helpful. I checked the web page, Snakes of PA, and didn't recognize this snake, but you know it just happened so fast & I was kinda frozen in my tracks. I've been here (with the kennels) for 14 years, and have only seen maybe 2 black snakes in my yard ever, so this one really shocked me.
One possibility, my neighbor who lives behind my house (we are seperated by woods) owns a pet store which carrys alot of snakes & reptiles. And this snake just struck me as looking like a pet shop snake. So I called his store & asked if he was missing a snake from his home, and the employee said...Probably, he doesn't keep good track of his stuff.
I said well if he is, it's in my kennel, and she said he probably wouldn't be worried about it. But she said the snake sounded weird so I should be careful.
So, this snake may very well have been one of his & not neccesarily a PA snake (I've seen domestic rabbits (black & white spotted) in my backyard before, which I assumed came from his house, so I guess it isn't a longshot that this snake came from there too...
And I'm thinking it was about 3 foot, but like I said, I was so shocked I may be off.
I've only seen this snake once, 2 days ago, but I will start carrying a camera so I can post a photo, hopefully I'll get the chance.
Okay...some questions...since many are suggesting it probably is a copperhead:
1) My husband says my chance of getting bitten is extremely slim...he says they normally run from humans unless cornered. Is this true?
2) Where do these snakes live? Underground? In overgrown kennels, like is it probable that he made that his home? When I saw him, he came from under an apple tree, into the kennel (appox. 10 feet away).
3) Do snakes usually live in numbers, like they say about mice...if you see 1, there's probably 10?
Thanks again, as you can see I'm kinda panic stricken here!

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Billybob · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 05:16 AM

Relax dont worry too much about it. Yes it is true that they will normally run from humans. They usually dont bite unless you are trying to catch them or kill them (dont do either) as far as where they live they usually live in wood piles, debris anywhere theres rodents about. No there probably wont be more snakes.
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Ed_r · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 05:37 AM

True the snakes dont hunt down humans unless cornered. But if it were hiding under a kennel and you happen to step close you could get tagged. Basically you wouldnt know you were there but would scare the snake. The kennels with the dropped food and all would attract rodents. I would be somewhat cautious, because that did sound like a copperhead that you described. Like it was stated in the other post. More than likely it would not be fatal to you. But You will never forget being bit by one. I've heard of dogs being bit, and not sure the severity of the bites but normally have come out with allot of swelling and distress but usually live. I wouldn't take this too lightly. if there are rodents around, and kennels seem to have them around. Not saying your not keeping them up but we all know food does hit the ground is all Im saying. And the snake regardles of species will stick around because it has found good hunting without traveling far. Please don't try to kill the snake if you see it again. call someone with some reptile knowledge to remove it for you. I know plenty of people that would come get a copperhead. They are one of the more passive species of vipers but not to be taken lightly.
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