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!

Even though Rat Snakes do dine on small mammals I have not heard of one attacking a cat which would be about four times as large as a chipmunk, or more. Also, contrary to some myths, these snakes do not wrap themselves around prey and squeeze as a constrictor would. While they do wrap themselves around tree branches that is to hold on and is not a means of obtaining prey. Here is a link that might be useful: About Rat Snakes

Nice Pictures! I can answer your question. That black snake is a black rat snake. Was that midland water snake (subspecies of the northern water snake) found at LaRue Road. I have never found a midland water there before. In fact I don't think I know anyone who has seen one there either. I'm sure they have a good population there, but it surprises me that you saw one. They generally inhabit lakes, creeks and rivers. One doesn't usually see a midland or northern water snake in cypress swamp. I have seen them up north in oxbow lakes. I did see a midland water snake at Mingo swamp in a ditch, but that is far as my northern water snake experience goes. Nice find. Ryan

During hot weather, I've caught the most Ratsnakes in the evening or dusk hours, or in the early morning just before daylight. At that time, they are more likely to be out crossing highways. It's the same with Cornsnakes. In cooler weather, you're more likely to find them out in the middle of the day. If you have anything flat lying around on the ground, like pieces of tin or plywood, check under it, since snakes like to hide under stuff like that during the day. Also, be alert to the behavior of wild birds in your yard, especially if you have Bluejays, Thrashers, or Mockingbirds, since they will raise an immense ruckus if they spot a snake! I've actually caught more snakes by going to where I heard a big commotion among the wild bird population than by any other means. Jays actually have a distinct alarm call for "SNAKE" that is different from their "CAT" or "HAWK" call, believe it or not. Sharon McKenzie