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[A HERETIC I AM]

This message was self-deleted by its author (A HERETIC I AM) on Wed Jan 9, 2013, 04:11 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Call Wildlife Control and have them come and get whatever the thing is.

[MADem]

4. +1,000 nt

[OneGrassRoot]

2. No ideas, just....

HOLY CRAP!



I mean, I know you're not in grave danger, but I hope I never, ever have to wonder if I have a python in my backyard. Honestly, I'm terrified of snakes.

*gulp*

[2theleft]

3. No idea, and I would NOT want to get close enough to find out...

I HATE SNAKES. They give me the creepies. I would be freaking out! Good luck to you.

[pinboy3niner]

5. Thank God it's not a dingo!

[PoliticAverse]

6. "Any ideas?" - Move ? n/t

[HappyMe]

7. Call everyone!

Neighbors - keep kids and pets inside, cops, animal control, fish & game people.

Good luck!

[Whovian]

8. I'd rather have pythons in my back yard than rats.

Pythons are really pretty cool animals and you can rest assured the rat population will be on the decline with this bad boy in your yard.

[jody]

9. I believe FL requires you to have a permit to kill it. Alternate is a nuisance wildlife trapper. nt

[Jenoch]

66. Pythons are invasive species in Florida.

They are causing big problems in the Everglades. There is no permit or other permission needed to kill the snake. Personally, I think it's pretty cool to have a snake like that around. Of course you need to keep your small dogs and cats indoors. I don't know enough about them to know if they will strike at a person, but I don't think they will. I would either call animal control or get a long rake, pin it's head to the ground and cut its head off with a cleaver. What you don't want to do is to let the thing go and breed to make more non-native snakes.

Edit to add:

I see down thread that it might be a native species of snake in Florida. If that's the case, don't kill it. I don't have an aversion to snakes, however, the only snake species I've ever seen in the wild and handled are garter snakes.

[Fla Dem]

73. +1000 Please call Wildlife Control

You DO NOT want it to breed. If it is a Ball Python it was most likely a pet that escaped, or when the owners got tired of it let it loose.

[jody]

76. I believe a permit was needed a few years ago. Do you have a link to FFWCC allowing killing without

permit?

I'm curious.

http://myfwc.com/license/wildlife/nonnative-species/python-permit-program/

[FarCenter]

10. 4 Foot? Wish it well and let it go on its way.

And if you can't positively identify it, stay out of reach.

[MineralMan]

11. If it's really only 4' long, pick it up and put it in a pillowcase, then

tie off the top of the pillowcase and call your local animal control.

A 4' long ball python or other constrictor-type snake isn't particularly anything to get worked up about. Just grab it behind the head and put it in a sack.

Edit to add: if you're not sure it's a constrictor-type snake, leave it alone. If it has a tail that comes to a point, and that head shape and general coloration, though, it is a constrictor and not venomous.

[Scuba]

14. +1

[MineralMan]

23. What is needed is a 12-year-old boy. Have him take the snake

somewhere out of the yard. I used to do that in my old neighborhood in California when I was a kid. The neighbors would call me, and I'd come and get their snake and take it somewhere else.

Now, I didn't mess with rattlesnakes. I killed those with a hoe if they were in someone's yard. But all the other snakes, I just picked up and took somewhere and let them go. 12-year-old boys know about snakes, or they did when I was 12.

[DocMac]

40. I grew up in SW PA

near an old brick company. We used to go and search for copperheads. You could tell when you got close because you could smell onions.

[OneGrassRoot]

59. I'm so glad I never knew there were copperheads in SW PA...

when I was growing up there. I was really surprised when, as an adult, I learned that little tidbit.

I'm terrified of snakes and (yes, ignorantly), assumed only nonvenomous snakes were in that area. I frequently visited southern Alabama and knew there were many poisonous snakes there; encountered quite a few, leading to my fear.

Onions...no kidding? I never heard that mentioned before.

[Politicalboi]

46. Not just boys ya know

When I was 7 or 8 we used to go lizard hunting for lizard races we would have. Frog hunting, and of course gopher snakes were cool too. We would just let them go after playing with them. My brother brought home a rattle snake once. I remember them putting a frog into the glass tank it was kept in, but it wouldn't eat the frog. I know it died, I don't remember how, but my parents were happy. We had tarantula's too.

[MineralMan]

50. You're right, of course. I had friends who were girls who would grab

a snake just as quick as I would. Thanks!

[madokie]

12. It could be a bull snake

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullsnake
at any rate snakes scare the bejebus out of me.

[GoCubsGo]

15. Nope, not a bull snake.

Definitely a python of some sort. Hard to tell what kind because the lighting is not great, but I think HERETIC I AM is probably correct about the ID.

[madokie]

19. I think HERETIC I AM was using the picture in the OP to say it looks kinda like this snake

whose picture was shown. That picture is not a bull snake but I'm not sure that is a picture of the snake in question. At any rate I'm just throwing this out there just in case it is a bull snake.

[GoCubsGo]

39. It's still not a bullsnake.

This is a bullsnake. Note the shape of the head, and compare it with the one in the OP.

[A HERETIC I AM]

38. The first pic in the OP is from a web search.

The two at the bottom are of the animal itself.

I am going to edit the OP to remove the first pic

[backscatter712]

20. No, bull snakes have completely different markings.

They've evolved to mimic rattlers.

[marions ghost]

13. Not a Burmese python?

since you're in FL I have to ask...

[GoCubsGo]

17. Unfortunately...

There are dozens of introduced reptile species in Florida, including 4 species of pythons, one of which is ball pythons.

[randome]

16. Buy a gun and shoot anything that moves!

Sorry. Thought this was a gun thread.

[FarCenter]

24. Preferably .22 birdshot

http://www.cabelas.com/rimfire-ammunition-winchester-super-x-22lr-birdhot-ammunition-dry-box.shtml

[snooper2]

18. They are easy to grill

[backscatter712]

21. Catch it and keep it as a pet! Edit: Actually, don't!

Last edited Wed Jan 9, 2013, 04:24 PM - Edit history (1)

I wonder how many pinkies you'll have to feed it to keep it healthy.

Edit: Cottonmouths don't make good pets.

[dixiegrrrrl]

22. If it were me, first thing I would do

is google
"copperhead"
and
"rattlesnake"

just to make sure.
copperheads tails end in a thin line, makes ID pretty certain if you can see the tail.

We have both around here, plus 2 colors of King snakes ( also called rat snakes)
and I am amazed at how much variety there is in the coloration of snakes.

2nd thing..
let animal control fetch it.

I am not afraid of snakes, but I still call Animal control when one gets too close to the house.
We have lost cats to the venomous snakes here.

[arthritisR_US]

25. If you have pets keep them inside and ring up

animal control. Snakes scare the crap out of me, take care

[MineralMan]

26. Yah, that's one of the constrictors, and not a very big one, either.

It won't do anyone any harm. Catch it or just let it go on its way.

[A HERETIC I AM]

31. The problem is, too many non native snakes have been released in this state.

I'm fine with the native species. I have a real problem with imported snakes that were "pets" having been let go into the wild.

This state has enough problems as it is.

[MineralMan]

35. That's why I suggested catching it, bagging it, and calling

whoever's in charge of such things.

It's not a dangerous snake in any way. You can just pick it up, preferably behind the head, since they will bite. It's just not a big deal.

Edit to add: I checked, and there are no native boa constrictors in Florida, so this isn't a native species. We had a couple of small boas that were native in California, but apparently there aren't in FL.

[A HERETIC I AM]

44. I have handled plenty of snakes in the past....

And I am not afraid of it, I just respect its ability to strike quickly.

As I said below.....it's gone now.

[siouxsiecreamcheese]

27. I just read about this..

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/florida-everglades-to-host-python-killing-contest. Personally, I think it's barbaric, but if you do call the authorities they may just kill it anyway if this story is correct.

[A HERETIC I AM]

36. It isn't barbaric. It is necessary.

The number of large constrictors living in the Everglades is enormous. They don't belong here, yet they find Florida - at least south FL - a very hospitable place.

I am 250 miles north of the Glades, BTW

[warrior1]

28. looks like one of these Python sebae

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bsmity13/5358199022/lightbox/

[kestrel91316]

29. Pythons are not native to FL and are a dangerous and invasive species.

Call the wildlife people STAT. Get it OUT of the natural environment. They are preying on native species and wreaking absolute havoc.

[Baitball Blogger]

30. boa constrictor?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IfwPXxXKCA/UKoefoFWgHI/AAAAAAAAAgM/P5tQKSBXh4M/s1600/Boa+Constrictor.jpg

[A HERETIC I AM]

32. Perhaps. Short little bugger. n/t

[GoCubsGo]

33. There's a general color pattern for each species.

However, there there are individual variations within a species. Just go to Google Images and search for "ball python", and you'll see what I'm talking about. Sometimes there is hybridization, which can really confuse things, as can selective breeding by collectors.

That is definitely a python. I assume you have given your local animal control a call by now?

[A HERETIC I AM]

37. It hauled ass.

I got those two shots and it headed for the water.

I live on a creek that flows into the St. Johns.

It has a lot of area to disappear into.

[MineralMan]

45. Problem solved for now.

That one's small enough to be gator food, for sure.

[GoCubsGo]

52. I just saw your photos.

From what I can tell from them, and given that you said you live on a creek, it was probably a brown water snake. They are native to your area. They are often confused with cottonmouths. They can be fairly aggressive, although most of them would rather be left alone, as would cottonmouths.

[A HERETIC I AM]

64. Thanks.

As I said in another post, I really have no problem with native species. They keep the rodent populations down, among other things. It's the invasive species I don't want around.

[GoCubsGo]

70. I don't want the invasives around, either.

And, I have no problem with them being humanely dispatched, especially the pythons.

[LeftyMom]

34. Call somebody. Reptile bites get infected and they suck.

The ER visit and the high test antibiotics will set you back more than calling out some 'neck to drive over in his fancy truck and figure it out for you.

[1-Old-Man]

41. looks a good bit like a Black Snake in the lower photos

We get a lot of them in the summer, 4 to 5 feet is about right for the size for an adult in my experience. When they find their way into the house I just catch them and carry them down the road a few hundred yards and release them in the woods. Just hold them behind the head with just enough pressure to contain them, there is no good reason to harm the snake.

By the way, I am no snake lover and only grab one at the call of my dear wife's shreeks. She is terrified of them, but would never allow that one be harmed.

[RebelOne]

42. I have owned boa constrictors, so it is definitely not a boa.

Yes, put it into a pillowcase or any other container and let it go.

[Solly Mack]

43. Kinda looks like a brown water snake to me. Non-venomous

Well, except for the very tail end. Maybe it got nicked off though.

ETA:

[GoCubsGo]

54. Yep.

I concur.

[Solly Mack]

63. Could be a Moccasin though.

With the tail, especially.

Best to 'beware' if not definitive.

[GoCubsGo]

65. No, the head is the wrong shape.

I've spent several summers in cottonmouth-infested swamps. Cottomouths have wider, more diamond-shaped heads.

[Solly Mack]

69. I agree. The head is wrong. That's what I based my earlier post on.

The tail gives me pause but it could have been nicked off. The heads are different between the two even though they resemble each other.

[GoCubsGo]

77. Yeah, the tail threw me off, too.

Then it dawned on me that I it was hard to tell which end was the head. No such problems with a cottonmouth.

[Solly Mack]

79. lol! True that!

[Botany]

47. I think it is a burmese python >30% chance 100% it is a python

either way it needs to be dead ASAP. Pythons rock, burmese, or ball along with
boa constrictors are invasive and have no business in Florida.

I was going from the picture of the snake in cardboard box. the 2 pictures you
still post still make me think python ..... 100% chance it is a constrictor ...
from you friendly Ohio ecologist ..... if it is non native kill it ..... if it is a native
snake leave it only. Ask Florida Fish and Wildlife ... http://myfwc.com/contact/
get a good ID first.

It is not a cottonmouth 4 sure!

[thelordofhell]

48. It's a Python

Just be thankful it's not a rabbit...........

[A HERETIC I AM]

58. LOL

"I soiled my armor, I was so scared"

[ellie]

49. Good lord!

I have a snake story or more of a snake sighting. I was walking on a trail near my home in Colorado and ran into a rattlesnake. Scared the crap out of me. And he/she wouldn't move so I couldn't go around. Note: don't throw stones at a rattlesnake. They don't like it.

[A HERETIC I AM]

75. My oldest brother lives in Eastern Lee county, near Ft. Myers....

out in the country.

For a while they had a rabbit hutch in their garden.

One day my sis-in-law (who passed away 18 months ago from cancer - RIP, Lynne) was out feeding the rabbits.

She looked down and under the hutch, coiled up and 18 inches from her feet was a Southern Diamondback.

We've got plenty of snakes here in Florida!

[Gato Moteado]

85. Actually, it would have been an Eastern Diamondback

details, details.

[A HERETIC I AM]

86. Well, I googled....

so there you go! You are correct.

I never saw it, just heard the story.

[Gato Moteado]

51. definitely not a ball python

the color and markings make it look like one of the common water snakes in FL, but the head in the lower photo really does suggest that it is some type of Boid. Hard to believe a tropical snake like a boa or python would be able to survive the winters in Jacksonville, but anything is possible.

if it comes back, please try to get some closer shots of the snake, especially the head, and post them.

[A HERETIC I AM]

61. It has been VERY mild around here.

The coldest it's been has been in the high 30's at night, and that lasted only a couple days. It is a balmy 72 outside.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

53. Jeb Bush and Ball Pythons

Two reasons I'm glad I don't live in Florida.

[Tallulah]

55. It looks like a cottonmouth

water moccasin

[A HERETIC I AM]

56. Just now showed the pics to my neighbor. That's what he said.

He's been living here for 30 years. First thing he said.

"That looks like a cottonmouth"

He and his wife have a sweet little Pomeranian. He was glad I gave him the heads up

[GoCubsGo]

62. Nope. Not a cottonmouth.

I have seen thousands of them. It's a brown water snake, which look a lot like a cottonmouth. The head is not shaped like a pit viper's head.

[A HERETIC I AM]

67. Fair enough

I think you're right.

Brown water snake;



My snake;

[GoCubsGo]

78. Looks like something got a hold of its tail.

An alligator, perhaps? Oh well. It will grow back.

[Gato Moteado]

81. actually, snake tails won't grow back.....

....he'll have a stub tail the rest of his life, but it won't cause him any problems.

many types of lizards will regenerate lost tails, though.

[GoCubsGo]

83. You're correct.

My bad.

[Gato Moteado]

80. that was my initial feeling as well...

...as i'm a backyard herpetologist that lived in south florida for 4 years. that said, the head in the second of the two original photos doesn't appear to have the shape of a water snake and actually resembles some sort of boid or possibly a viper. i'm still leaning toward brown water snake but i would say we can't make a positive ID until we have clearer photos.

[freethought]

57. It's no python.

I'm thinking brown water snake or possibly(most likely) or a cottonmouth water moccasin. Either way don't get too close to find out.

[A HERETIC I AM]

60. Agreed. See my post above. n/t

[Fumesucker]

68. I brightened and enlarged the pic

The head shape looks poisonous to me, I'd definitely stay clear.

[KharmaTrain]

71. What This Thread Needs Is Some...

Live Action!!!

[A HERETIC I AM]

72. LOL

That guy kills me.

I can only take that show in 4 minute increments though.

I like his rotund buddy though. The voice of reason.

[TheCowsCameHome]

74. Make a call to

a good realtor and sell the place, pronto .

[rightsideout]

82. Looks like a healthy Brown Water Snake

I agree with those who say it's a Brown Water Snake. It has the markings.

The head and tail don't look like a Water Moccasin because it would have a pit viper shaped head and the tail would be thinner at the end. It doesn't look like a python. It's probably back in the creek again. They like to sun themselves on rocks which may account for it being on the patio. They are also pretty quick from what you said.

I keep lizards (iguana, gecko, chameleon) although I used to have a pet Boa Constrictor so the snake people may know more. My first thought was a Boa Constrictor since they often get released if they get too big. But it looks more like a Brown Water Snake.

[A HERETIC I AM]

84. It's definetly back in the water again, as I watched it go in!

The pic of it headed away from the camera was it headed back to the water.

Thanks for the ID

OK...no worries. Gone now.