So glad that Hissy has found a good temporary home. I've always loved snakes and have had them as pets since I was a child. Later, when I was in grad school and living in an apartment just off campus, my much younger brother brought a rat snake home from scout camp. Unfortunately, my father, who was terrified of snakes, announced that either the snake went or he would go, so naturally I took him off my brother's hands and installed him in a nice herpetarium in my apartment (at which point I discovered just who my friends were and weren't!) Kaa (as I named him, from Kipling of course) stayed with me until I had to move to another location, at which point I found a new home for him.I would love to have a snake pet again, but now I'm in a New York City apartment and haven't the room it would need. I'm hoping that Hissy will find a wonderful new home. Thanks to you for being so kind in rescuing him even though you weren't familiar with snakes!

Thanks Jean. You are always so good at answering my ID questions. I did hand pick it off the plant and found a few more a bit smaller on the same plant. I will continue to keep an eye out for more. Liisa

Thank you both SSSSOOOO much for your help!! Oh, and thanks for giving my drawing a second look instead of blowing it off as a joke. ;) I did look at the snake in the link you sent, FHFchrish, which prompted me to investigate further. I came across a photo that is VERY similar to the one we saw that fateful day and have included a link in case either of you is interested. (Without my bifocals on, I couldn't tell there were bands running the entire length of the snake.) I did some further research and discovered it was probably a good thing I didn't try to get that photo after all because apparently they are very mean tempered! Mystery solved. Thank you! Here is a link that might be useful: Red Racer compliments of Ron's Log

This picture was taken in the Andes of Ecuador in an elevation of close to 3k. I was told it was harmless and by someone else that it was a bushmaster. Does anyone recognize it?