[kman42]

There was a snake in my front yard and I can't figure out what he was. Some sort of garter snake, I think. He was black or brown with a yellow line down his back. The line was interrupted periodically by 3-5 dots. He was about 3 feet long.

He's not on this page: http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/snakespics.html

I live in San Diego.

Any ideas what he might be? Sorry I didn't get a picture before he took off.

kman

[mindwaves]

Seems like a King Cobra to me.

Last time that I had a snake in my yard, I pelted it with rocks until it died. Not sure what kind of snake that it was though.

Before the hills here were populated with houses, I used to see long (6 feet) snakes cross the roads from time to time.

[Jawbone54]

I hate snakes!

While working at a retreat in Arkansas, I spent about 30 minutes romping around a trail by myself to take a few pictures. I took this shot...

...then turned around and started walking back down the path. I heard something go "kshh...kshhhh...ksssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

I stopped, looked around slowly, and saw a timber rattlesnake about 6 feet away from me, looking a lot like this...


I ran away as fast as I could. In retrospect, I could've backed up calmly and got a shot of the snake before I left, but my girly-man side came out and I outran my wanna-be photojournalistic instincts.

But yeah...I hate snakes. And I have no idea what kind was in your yard.

[iranfromthezoo]

sounds like it could be a king snake...they are black snakes with yellow lines and dots on their backs.....not always rings like the photo shows. Those snakes are good because they eat other snakes.

On the other hand it could be a a roundneck snake...

I wouldn't know without a picture...maybe bear grylls will know....

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by mindwaves 

Last time that I had a snake in my yard, I pelted it with rocks until it died.

you serious?

[Dakarʒ]

I got a snake man. One time I fed it some beer. It was slithering this way and that. It was all ****ed up.

[design219]

Originally Posted by mindwaves 

Last time that I had a snake in my yard, I pelted it with rocks until it died. Not sure what kind of snake that it was though.

Unless you or your family are in danger, you might want to find out what it is before you kill. Most snakes are beneficial and keep other pests like mice and rates in check.

I'm sure you didn't enjoy killing the snake, but your post sounds kind of indifferent.

[osiris]

Geez, and I've been thinking about moving to San Diego...

I've had more than my share of Copperheads in the east, rattlesnakes are a different story though.

[Jawbone54]

At least with a rattlesnake you get a better warning than a bite.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by iranfromthezoo 

I wouldn't know without a picture...maybe bear grylls will know....

Only because he would check Wikipedia when he got back to the hotel that night.

[design219]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

At least with a rattlesnake you get a better warning than a bite.

Copperheads are more aggressive, but their poison is less harmful than a rattlesnake. A rattlesnake is deadly business.

[kman42]

We get rattlers around our neighborhood as well. A few have made it inside houses when people aren't careful about closing their doors. One of the neighbors has a snake pole and catches them for everyone else: he puts them in a box and drives them out to the canyons and releases them. Animal control will also come out and take care of them.

Rattlesnakes are nice enough to give you a warning and I haven't heard about many people being bit in residential areas.

[finboy]

Originally Posted by iranfromthezoo 

sounds like it could be a king snake...they are black snakes with yellow lines and dots on their backs.....not always rings like the photo shows. Those snakes are good because they eat other snakes.

Probably a king snake. And they eat all kinds of household pests -- they're good to have around. Same with black snakes.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

At least with a rattlesnake you get a better warning than a bite.

True.

You have to be on the lookout for Copperheads...
I've run into quite a few in the Adirondack Mountains (babies are fun to hold, except if momma shows up),
+ couple near the Shokan Reservoir NY.

[irunat2am]

You win for best thread title

[design219]

Originally Posted by osiris 

...babies are fun to hold...

Just curious, what else do you do for fun?

[kman42]

I thought babies were more venomous. Is that an urban myth or does it only apple once they hit a certain size?