Zoomed in and took a screenshot. But you can see the second snake reight below the big one.

Mama, what you said was that if you ate a venomous snake and had an open wound in your mouth and/or stomach, you could be poisoned. Not true at all.

Mama Goose, most (not all) non venomous snakes lay clutches of eggs. For example, black snakes are egg layers but garter snakes bear live young.

Their back look at top of door and the other is to the left with its head out

Wish I knew how close I could get safely I just don't know what thst other snake is

Rhizo thank you for correcting me. So interesting this stuff. I know you know your stuff which is why I put your name in the thread title.

I'm going back out in a bit and try to get closer for a better picture of the smaller second snake. The slightest movement of these guys s and I'm running for my life. Lol

Looks like 'love is in the air'. ;)

I'm not going out again right now. One of these guys raised its head when I was getting close. I need to let them alone right now to regulate their temperatures. It was a chilly night here.

In that one pic that shows the snake's head up close, you can see the round pupil in it's eye.....a sign it is non poisonous....altho I know you have already figured that out. Raising it's head to look at you.....of course. Believe it or not, it is as afraid of you as you are of it. It was just trying to get a better look at you. It won't attack you, but as someone said, don't try to pick it up. It will get out of your way.

Someone brought me 2 "water snakes" to release. They weren't water snakes, they were rat snakes. I released them into one of my sheds.

About 3 weeks later, rats chewed all the wires under the hood of her truck. Cost a lot to fix it. She should have kept the snakes.

We used to get a lot of salvage pet food....many hundreds of pounds. A rat snake in that building kept everything under control. You couldn't even find a spider in there. Snakes do far more good than harm.

Marilyn. Its tongue was flicking in and out...was it smelling me? Doesn't surprise me you rehomed snakes on to your property. .your like Snow White. ..your **one** with all the critters. I can almost hear the critters saying***oh don't worry about her shes our human fairy..she's on our side**.

Mamapinky, I'm not sure where you live, but there are all kinds of black-colored snakes, and from what I can see, the black one in the photo isn't venomous. I tend to agree with Sherry, it looks like a black rat snake or black racer. The other also looks like a rat snake, but again, not positive.

They sure seem to be enjoying your shed. I know you're not enjoying them that much : ) As others have said, just give them room.

marilyn_c, nice photo! We had water moccasins, aka cotton mouths (Western) in Okla when I was a kid. Tenkiller lake. They tended to be somewhat aggressive, and were always crawling into the boat from the water. I remember once my Dad seeing a couple in the boat as we were docking and he was lifting me up to put me over the side while accidentally standing on my foot - took him a moment to figure out why I couldn't be lifted up!

I've run across (on foot) a few copperheads where I live now. They tend to be very skittish and frightened of people. It's nice that you and Ten Dogs get along, as it were. Used to have a 'pet' female black widow that lived in the sitting rocks at my koi pond. I didn't name her, but made sure I never sat on her : ) We have tons of black widows where I live now. I'm not as fond of them, though. Too darned many!

I wouldn't be comfortable at all with one crawling in a boat with me, however, I was in the greenhouse one time....had siphoned out a waterlily tank and I got in it to dip out the rest of the water. When I turned around, there was a good sized cotton mouth in there with me. It was trying to get out....I got out faster. I don't kill them....have no reason to, and actually don't see them as much as I used to. Mostly broad banded water snakes now. So many cats and dogs...they don't like the activity and pretty much stay away.

There are black widows in my flower pot stacks. They like clay pots. When I need one I check to see if it is occupied and if it is, I put it back and get another one. Have a lot of brown recluse spiders and I consider them more dangerous, because they are roaming spiders. I believe the black widows stay put. Hardly ever see spiders any more because we have so many geckos. I don't know where they came from....don't believe they are native to this area...maybe came in on plants from Florida??? We do have anoles and skinks....used to have horned toads but haven't seen any since I was a kid.

Mamapinky, I think flicking it's tongue in and out was just sensing motion. It doesn't mean it was going to bite you. (Well..........maybe just a little taste. :)) I'm kidding.)

When I move from here, once we have another place, I will pick up and take as many of the snakes as I can find. Not the cottonmouths. I am not going to pick them up, but the common water snakes, the rat snakes, the ribbon etc., I will take because I know most people kill every snake, no matter what kind it is. When I moved here I brought 6 diamond backed water snakes.

Mama, you guess right about the tongue flicking! They are smelling the air by "tasting" it and evaluating what they smell. Sort of like humans when we breathe in the scent molecules.....grandma's cinnamon rolls, yum, or spoiled chicken?

The snake was determining if you were a danger or a tasty mouse! Snakes have very poor vision and even worse hearing. That little tongue action gives a snake a great deal of information.

Snakes also detect vibrations with their bodies. The best way to avoid seeing a snake is to stomp around giving them plenty of advance warning that you're entering their territory.

Marilyn, I'm dying to know....how did Ten Dogs get its name? There's got to be a good story there.

"The best way to avoid seeing a snake is to stomp around giving them plenty of advance warning that you're entering their territory."

There's another way that I use - I try to avoid going where they may be. It's worked pretty well for me to this point.

Ten Dogs....because one good snake is better than Ten Dogs in keeping nosey people away. Actually, seldom does anyone ever come here, but that is what I always tell people when they ask....and that is why I named him that. We had a young man here helping us do some work one time....and he saw one of the snakes and screamed like a little girl. It was pretty funny. There was one that stayed in the sunflower hulls under the bird feeder, and his name was Mister Twister. He actually caught and ate a few birds when they flew down to eat on the ground.

Very funny. That reminds of when I lived in South Carolina, in a little bungalow nestled among Live Oaks, azaleas, and old camellias. An extremely large Eastern King snake took up permanent residence around the house, especially on my large broad cement front porch, which could be cool in the summer or warm in the winter.

It became totally accustomed to me and my comings and goings, not budging if it was sprawled in front of my door making me step over it.

I was actively dating at the time, and if King Louis was hanging around, the reactions were pretty hilarious.

I found Big Mama, a yellow bellied water snake in the house, one time. Like you said, cement floor and she came in to cool off, I suppose. I figured she found her way in, she could find her way out. They are a very dark, dusky, heavy bodied snake....if you didn't know better, you might think they are poisonous.

Do you remember Dave....I can't remember his last name? He used to post at KT a long time ago. He lived in Louisiana and was a wonderful photographer. He had a picture of a yellow bellied water snake that was totally covered in duck weed. It was one of my favorite pics ever. I had it on my old computer. Wish I still had it. I never see these around any more, but they were my favorites. I used to see two all the time....Big Mama and Nessie. They look like this.

mamapinky0, I do understand fear, squeamishness, and/or healthy respect of snakes - most people I know feel this way and keep a distance. I once had an irrational (but explainable) fear of cats - kittens too. I got over it, thank goodness and adore them again : )

marilyn_c, Love the story behind the name Ten Dogs! I think it's pretty wonderful you intend to move your non-venomous snakes with you. Most people wouldn't bother - and some kill them for no reason other than fear. Nature is a delicate balance. DH had a king snake living in his shed, and he wouldn't let anyone mess with him because he rid the shed of rodents. Just last week we were picking up lumber for a project when DH saw a large snake making it's way across the road. Not many cars, so DH casually said "there's a snake" and changed lanes to miss it. I turned around to look only to see the vehicle behind us gun his engine to speed up, change lanes to run over the snake. It was killed, I'm sure. Sad.

rhizo is spot on, snakes don't have good vision, and can be rendered blind during shedding, which often makes them more skittish or easily agitated. King Louis certainly would have made quite the conversation piece... or rather, companion : )

No sign of them yet today but its very darkish and raining. So they either slept in or they are out hunting.

I've named them. I'm assuming they are a male and female. Big black one is Duke and yellowish one is Duchess. I've been reading a lot about rat snakes. Right now in Pennsylvania its breeding season LOL. I can't say I'm thrilled about them but I do live in the woodlands so they are expected. My bigger problem is the huge coon now wondering around my back yard. Its HUGE and has been out there off and on for the past few days..He must be hungry to be there during daylight hours. My concern is can he get in my house thru the window screens? Perhaps smells food cooking and decides to come in. I know they can slash a screen with no effort. Marilyn what's the chances of this happening? I did yell out the window at him to go home...he didn't run. What a nightmare that would be to have a big coon indoors...he would feel trapped and I have kids and dogs. Its a scary thought.

I am more worried about raccoons and skunks than snakes. Especially if they are out during the day. Had a skunk with rabies in the neighborhood last year.

Zero chance, mamapinky. They aren't interested in what you are eating. They aren't raccoons. :-))

Mama raccoons will often come out during the day....sometimes bringing their babies with them. They do that because it is safer to do that than bring them at night, when more predators might be around.

Marilyn...I ment is there any chance the coons will come in my screened window?? Lol

No chance. However, they may tear a giant hole in the screen or remove it, and then come in through your formerly-screened window.

Bob yes that's what I ment..lol..I am nervous about this coon smelling my cooking, ripping open the screen and joining us for tacos. Lol

Is that your laundry shed? Oh please be careful folding your laundry and hanging on the line.

I say make a pair of shoes out of him!

Probably not. I mean, Bob is right. Coons could do that but probably not. Don't feed them, and they won't know you may be having tacos.

JeCrigler....I don't think that mamapinky has a "laundry shed", lol.

LOL No its not my laundry shed. Rhizo is right I don't have one. Its a very old shed in the back set in the woods. Cant even be seen. It houses our generator. I've wanted to tear it down for years but hasn't happened yet.

Thanks Marilyn. But since I'm assuming coons can smell I'm sure they will know its food inside. I need bars on my windows. ...LOL. just joking. ....kinda

I say make a pair of shoes out of him!

Your shoe pic has nice, long stiletto heels. You'll need those to help crush the rats and mice that will flourish once their predator is gone.

Mama could arrogate her yard with those heels too!

JeCrigler I will need a dress to go with those shoes.

Perfect outfit to go snake hunting. Lol

I was only joking about them tearing through the screen to come in. In fact I was going to delete that posting so as to not worry you unnecessarily, but along with not being able to create a new posting I'm also unable to delete messages I've made.

I have heard of raccoons coming in through a cat door or a dog door and helping themselves to pet food, but I really doubt that one would come in while you are there cooking.

Iris S makes a good point, stay away from any wild animals like raccoons, opossums, and skunks just in case of rabies - and if you must get close to release live trap, use safe methods, precautions - though I don't see you attempting to trap your coon mamapinky! Though rabies not common, it happens. We've seen a slight rise in rabid wild animals nearly every year in our state. Especially raccoons.

Coons can be rather nasty. We've had several dogs and cats killed by raccoons (typically the dogs instigate, the cats are more a victim). I'd worry more about small pets or larger dogs fighting the coon outside than food indoors (even through a screen window). Though a coon can slash a screen, as others have said, it's very unlikely. I believe you and your tacos are very safe on that : ) If you've pets, keep them inside for now. Knew someone a while back that had a beagle, curious about the coon, and the coon killed it, then turned on a child attempting to help the dog. Not pretty at all.

TRUST me I won't get near those critters. I had to go thru the rabies shots in the past. I had an attic at the time and went up rummaging thru boxes of stuff. I never felt a thing but pulled my hand out of a box and had blood on my finger and hand...I was on blood thinners. I thought maybe I touched a small piece of broken glass but felt nothing. So I looked into the box and there was a bat...yikes I'm petrified of bats but was not going thru rabies shots so I tried to grab the bat...it bit my other hand and flew off. Again I felt nothing but it was bleeding. I called my PCP who told me to go to the ER and not wait a week to do it. I had no insurance. I needed the shots. Ended up the CDC donated all my shots to me and the hospital never charged me a cent. These shots are super expensive so I was lucky. This was back in 2008. I can't remember how many shots I got I think 7 or it may have been 9 but not all at once. The injection wasn't pleasent but it was the reaction to them that was horrid. Within a short time an hour or so I had a raging fever and body aches from head to toe...really bad body aches. This continued until almost time for my next injection when it started all over again. No I'm not getting near these critters. Lol.

OMG mamapinky! You poor soul! First, what a story! Horror story. How awful! I've never had rabies shots (almost but I finally turned the owner in so they'd give up the rabies info on their dog, and it'd been vaccinated (they could've saved themselves some trouble). Those shots sound like a nightmare. Just the reaction from a tetanus was not much fun, but not like that. Yep, guess you will be staying away! Glad you got your shots without having to pay for them - especially without insurance at the time : )

Did I mention why I was in the attic going thru boxes....LOL...I was getting out our halloween decorations...it couldn't have happened at a better time. Hahahahaha

Mama, I've had to go through rabies shots due to a bat as well. Not fun and VERY expensive (took 2 years to get our health insurance to pay up).

But I do NOT do snakes. I don't like serpents. I've never felt quite the same about my decorative fish pond in my garden since I spotted a snake resting on a water lily pad. I don't care if they're not poisonous - I don't want one on my property. Yes, I do live in the suburbs, but a CLOSE-IN suburb that is much more "city" than "country". Did I mention I don't DO snakes?

Okay - so I'm a sissy. I still don't do snakes. Mama, I don't think I could live there, knowing these two were in my shed. And I wouldn't open that door and go inside if someone pointed a gun at my head!

I don't blsme you Anglo. Snakes make me think of the word evil.

Yesterday it rsined all day the snakes didn't come out at least that I seen. Today its in the 80's and plenty of sun but I haven't seen them.

One thing....as a Wildlife rehabber, I can tell you that....love 'em or hate 'em....possums do not carry rabies or distemper and their favorite foods are snakes, mice, roaches, and snails. I have raised literally hundreds of them.

Thank you for correcting me Marilyn, I now read it's possibly due to their lower body temperature that opossums rarely get rabies? I can add they do love dog food. I had a few that always ate my huskey's dinner... until the huskey got to the opossum before it could escape the fence.

Marilyn, since you've rehabbed a lot of possums, let me ask you something. What kind of personalities do they have, especially when raised from a young age? I expect that they are easier than racoons, right?

Mamapinky, just thought of you walking around the yard. Under my bathroom window.

Iris NICE!!!! It must be something in the air. Lol

Yikes!!! Love your monarda, though.

Mamapinky, still have your snakes around? My daughter just texted me this picture (taken with the phone, so not great), saying she felt very lucky. She was crawling around on the forest floor trying to take a picture of a butterfly
(Amazon in Peru), when she saw this snake not even a foot away under her camera hand. I swear this girl is giving me grey hair. Why doesn’t she want to be an accountant or something?