Herpetology 101--Snakes of Northeastern Illinois (Warning--snake discussion)

[ksmith]

Massasauga (pygmy) rattlesnakes were at one time common in northern Illinois, but due to destruction of their native habitat are now considered endangered in this state. Adults are not large, ranging from 45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 inches) in length. Its color pattern consists of a grey or tan groundcolor with a row of large rounded brown/black blotches or spots down the centre of the back and three smaller rows of alternating spots down each side.

The Western Foxsnake is common in northern Illinois. A young western fox snake is grayish-white with blackish blotches. As it matures and ages, it becomes tan with reddish-brown blotches. The male is larger than the female. The fox snake ranges from 36-60 inches in length.

Interesting fact: When a western fox snake is disturbed, it rapidly vibrates the tip of its tail. The vibration of the tail against the leaf litter can sometimes resemble the sound of a rattlesnake's rattle. Because of this, people sometimes confuse this gentle snake with a rattlesnake; however, it is not dangerous. It can, however, coil, raise its head, and possibly strike when cornered.

When one's feisty terrier-husky mix is barking and hopping around a small, coiled snake, light-colored with dark splotches, head raised to strike, one concentrates on getting said dog out of the way. One then calls the local animal control office, which is actually the local police department. The conservation officer then comes to your house, asks you what you saw, and assures you that he gets these calls all the time and the pygmy rattlesnakes he is asked to examine turn out to be Western foxsnakes.

The terrier-husky mix is resting comfortably. Dogmom is feeling much calmer than she was about eight hours ago.

Comments

[torrilin.livejournal.com]

In most areas of the US, if you think you saw a rattler... you didn't. They have a bad reputation all outta proportion, and a lotta harmless snakes will pull the same trick your fox snake did. Copperheads are a lot more likely because most people don't peg them as poisonous at first glance. Or second. Or third.

Thanks for not killing it in a panic :). I love snakes because they eat mice and other small animals that want to eat my veggies.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

If I'd had something in my hand...I would have had a hard time keeping myself from hurting it because I swore it was a young rattler. But my first priority was getting the pups away from it. Gaby was trying to get it and King didn't see it and walked right over it. By the time I got them in the house and went back outside, the snake was gone.

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Spot had one of those freakouts yesterday. Baby gopher snake. It could have been a rattler, so I wore tall boots and was careful, but gopher snakes gooood. I gently used the pooper scooper to get the baby out of the yard.

It fared better than the one in Pandora's stall last week. She stepped on it before I could get there. :(

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Actually, Massasauga rattlers are kinda cute. From an adequate distance. Encountered a couple in Michigan, years ago. Much less aggressive than diamondbacks.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I read that their bite isn't as lethal, either, although you still require treatment.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The only other snakes I've seen in my yard are garters, and garter snakes gooood also. But Gaby has shown herself to be a killer. I haven't found any ex-snakes around the backyard so far--I hope that's a good sign. But given that herself is killing mice right and left--5 so far this summer--maybe there's no reason for snakes to stick around anymore.

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

Sympathy on that one! My Springer pup caught a slow-worm (harmless) recently. Very nasty few moments when I saw him running around the garden with it wiggling in his mouth, until I managed to identify it.

[e-moon60.livejournal.com]

The snake you see in an exciting context (at night with one of your chickens halfway down its gullet, near your dogs, near your child) is always bigger, more aggressive, and looks more like a rattlesnake than the same snake seen in less exciting contexts.

I'm glad it was almost certainly a harmless young snake, and that the pups are OK.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Now I'm more concerned about the snakes than the pups. Because of Gaby.

[e-moon60.livejournal.com]

Well...the fox snakes aren't endangered, are they?

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

No, they're not. But it seems as though another addition to the job description is "Dispose of Gaby's victims."