While taking my dog, Smokey, outside, I sat on the front steps as usual. I looked down and saw this little fellow right below me.
I Googled him and discovered he is a Mississippi ringneck snake and is very rare to see; not because they are uncommon here, but because they are very secretive. I think he is actually quite fascinating and even beautiful. Now, I am aware that there are SOME people ( ok, MOST people) who have a viscerally negative reaction when presented with ANY kind of snake and would never agree with the appeal of slithering things. I must confess that I have little fear of these creatures. HOWEVER, I surely don't like being surprised by one! This one was only about 8 inches long and had a tiny head so I knew right away he wasn't poisonous. In East Tennessee we only have 2 kinds of poisonous snakes, and they are Timber Rattlesnakes and Copperheads. Many people think there are Water Mocossins, also known as Cotton Mouths, here as well, but the TWRA says they are NOT found anywhere in the eastern part of the state. They are found in Middle and West Tennessee.
When my son was 10 years old we got him a Ball Python and had him for about 4 years. They are the smallest member of the Python family and only reach about 4-5 feet. He had really beautiful markings and was a VERY low maintanance pet. I finally gave him away because of the disgusting RATS that he ate (we had to defrost frozen ones because I couldn't stand to see him kill them :-()) There was also some concern that the size of his food was about the same size as my 3 pound Yorkie!!! EEEK! We called our snake "snake" because let's face it, he didn't really need a name. One rule was that we would not get him out when company was over, because some people REALLY HATE SNAKES!!! - and that's ok and was to be respected. I hope I haven't freaked YOU out too much with this snakey post, and that you actually come back again for some pretty crochet or flowers.
I really love ALL God's creatures, except spiders-YUCK, and appreciate the role each of them plays in this amazing world He created. Even the CREEPY CRAWLY ones.
"Then God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kind, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."
Genesis 1:25
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| Yellow ring around his neck |
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| Bright yellow belly |
When my son was 10 years old we got him a Ball Python and had him for about 4 years. They are the smallest member of the Python family and only reach about 4-5 feet. He had really beautiful markings and was a VERY low maintanance pet. I finally gave him away because of the disgusting RATS that he ate (we had to defrost frozen ones because I couldn't stand to see him kill them :-()) There was also some concern that the size of his food was about the same size as my 3 pound Yorkie!!! EEEK! We called our snake "snake" because let's face it, he didn't really need a name. One rule was that we would not get him out when company was over, because some people REALLY HATE SNAKES!!! - and that's ok and was to be respected. I hope I haven't freaked YOU out too much with this snakey post, and that you actually come back again for some pretty crochet or flowers.
I really love ALL God's creatures, except spiders-YUCK, and appreciate the role each of them plays in this amazing world He created. Even the CREEPY CRAWLY ones.
"Then God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kind, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."
Genesis 1:25
WE have a pet garden spider that has shown up for the last two years. If she comes back this July, I'll call you up and you can blog about her. She is a very interesting spider to watch:)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Aunt Bet
Thanks Bet but I hate spiders. You'll have to take pictures for me! Lol!
DeleteI am very much like you and not too afraid ~ I would have been very excited by this snake.....so I'm happy you decided to share it! What a cool necklace he has!
ReplyDeleteThanks Audrey. I'm glad to know there are other "snakey" friends out there! Thanks for visiting.
DeleteI, too, love all of God's creatures. This is a pretty snake.
ReplyDeleteThe Southern girl in me just shudders at the sight of a snake but the English part of me looks at them in fascination. I have a split personality!
ReplyDeleteYou are brave to have had that big snake in your house as a pet. Frozen rats, now you ARE freaking me out!
:-0
I'm ok with snakes but spiders? Not so much. ha. And I have a cat named Smokey. :) Thanks for the visit today! So great to find you here!
ReplyDeleteThank you Betsy. We are in agreement! Thank yo for stopping by and I will be posting again after Christmas. My laptop died and my iPad doesn't work well with blogger.
DeleteWhat a beautiful yellow belly!
ReplyDeleteI thought so too. Thank you for stopping by Nicole! I hope to return after Christmas. Please come back for a visit!
DeleteI used to love snakes until I took I lunch break at work one day and the car park was full of small ones coming out of the sandy bank. It looked like a horror film! A bit weird when it was in England that this happened! Hope your Christmas went well and I look forward to reading more of your posts next year. x
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Chel! Seeing a lot of snakes together would definitely freak me out! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
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