Sorry for the double post. We are under a tornado watch, and there are serious storms. I did not realize it had posted since everything froze then went white. I went back to the forum, and the post did not show up, so I reposted. So sorry folks. Just feel free to ignore this one. EG

Marta8a that was a great link you posted. I took the link back to the main page and went throught all the snakes it listed. I bookmarked it for future use. It will come in handy the next time someone brings in a snake to be ID. I really enjoy reading everyone's comments about snakes. It is always amusing to hear what people think about snakes. Most people don't want to know they have snakes in their yards, but there are small snakes everywhere. Some of the smaller ones can pass for earth worms, if you don't pay close attention. I see a lot of snakes, people bring into my office to ask what they are. Almost all of them are harmless grass snakes and a lot are dead. It really excites people when I pick one up and look it over. I always take the live ones out back of my office and turn them loose in the flower beds. In the last 15 years, I have yet to see a poisonous snake brought into the office. Oh, and yes I take care of the beds so its not a problem that the snakes are there. I very rarely see one again.

Yeah, I can't think of any snake I have EVER killed! When I got married, my hubby and I had a huge fight about a snake that we found in the back yard. (actually it is the one in these pics) http://www.glimmeringgems.com/images/snake%201.jpg http://www.glimmeringgems.com/images/snake2.jpg I was livid at the thought of chopping it's head off! It did not have a triangle head, or the slits for eyes, so there would be NO killing that day! I caught and moved this one as well. Contacted our city office, and they came back telling me it was a yellow bellied water snake, but I am still not sure. Is this one a rat snake too? Found a baby one in my kitchen the other day, he/she is at the local creek as well. Having said that, yeah.. you all are right, there are tons of rats around here. You can see why by looking at the back yard next door in the images on my twitpic site here: http://www.twitpic.com/photos/glimmeringgems BTW- I have been a member here forever! I shattered my right foot so have been out of the garden for a few years, but I am slowly making a return! I have missed everyone here and also missed being in my garden! EG

If I were in that situation, I would fill the pumps container with water to flush him out. then immeadiatly apply a screen before he could get back in. Then set up some type of area in the yard to hold water for his use somewhere els if that is why he goes in there. If he is just looking for shelter then maybe a small wood pile in the back of the yard or something like that. I spotted my first snake her a few weeks ago. It was a black racer. Been here 5 years and that is all I have seen. I go looking for him every day now but no luck seeing him again. I hope to have better luck once I put in a frog pond!