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While you might see a "black" snake in Barrington, Roland, it will most likely be a dark phase of a Garter Snake, or one of our Northern Ring-necked Snakes. To the best of my knowledge an Eastern Black Racer has never been found naturally in Nova Scotia. Have you heard of any Paul? Perhaps John Gilhen will respond to this chain. . For more on the racers, see: http://www.wildlifenorthamerica.com/Reptile/Black-Racer/Coluber/constrictor-priapus.htmlhas The green snake you mentioned is an Eastern Smooth Green Snake - we used to call them grass snakes. Beautiful! Cheers, Joan Paul S. Boyer wrote: > Roland, > > I think that you refer to the Eastern Ring-Necked Snake, and they are > snakes — no doubt about it. They like to live under rocks or pieces > of bark and similar debris, and they eat earthworms, salamanders, and > insects. They are completely harmless to humans. I have handled > them, and they don't even seem to bite, but only wish to escape. They > are quite delicate and attractive. > > The large black snakes you see are entirely trustworthy: you can rely > on them to race away from you if disturbed. They eat mostly mammals, > so that makes them "good" snakes (depending how you feel about > rodents). I am sure that if you were fast enough to grab a black > racer, it would turn and strike at you; but that is surely justifiable > self-defense. > > —Paul > > On 23 May 2009, at 10:40 AM, Roland McCormick wrote: > >> Hello Paul - >> What about the small black snakes with a ring around the neck? >> I understand they are asps and not snakes, but what is the >> difference? I have found two or three dead ones in my driveway, and >> I once saw a live one when we moved some old wagon parts. >> I don't think I would trust any black snakes. I have seen a >> few big ones I would prefer to stay away from. In my present home I >> see mostly brown or green garter snakes. >> >> Roland. >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> *From:* Paul S. Boyer <mailto:psboyer@eastlink.ca> >> *To:* naturens@chebucto.ns.ca <mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> >> *Sent:* Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:55 AM >> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] Garter Snake >> >> I believe that there are no venomous snakes in Nova Scotia. >> However, even garter snakes can bite, and their tiny, little >> teeth can even draw blood. (I have had that happen to me.) >> Although cold-blooded animals do not carry rabies, the oral >> hygiene of a garter snake may be such that its bite could >> transmit lots of interesting bacteria, so I would handle the >> snake with gloves. >> >> Garter snakes have longitudinal striping, and are not really >> brown (unless they have not shed the skin for a long time). >> >> Isn't it possible that the snake got into the house in some other >> room, and then slithered into the bathroom by chance? It might >> have been hiding somewhere else in the house, and was merely >> looking for water. In any case, it really belongs outdoors. >> >> A foot long is small for a snake. I don't think that there is >> any rational reason for fear of any snake in the province, >> although their movement can startle people. The most dangerous >> animals around are probably stinging insects such as yellow >> jackets (who are especially aggressive in the fall), and bears >> (if you ever find any). >> >> — Paul >> >> On 22 May 2009, at 10:59 PM, Gayle MacLean wrote: >> >>> Hello All, >>> >>> Had a strange occurrence happen today. >>> My husband found a garter snake in our bathroom this evening. >>> How it got there I have no idea! I just can't fathom where it >>> might have come in! >>> Along a radiator pipe maybe? >>> I was working at the time so unfortunately I didn't get to see it. >>> He described it as a BIG (a foot long or so) brown snake. >>> Sounded like a garter snake to me which we see around the yard >>> every summer. >>> Anyway, he picked it up by the tail and threw it out the door. >>> I can just imagine his expression! He said the sweat was just >>> pouring off him. >>> He was not amused. >>> >>> Gayle MacLean >>> Dartmouth >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> Instant message from any web browser! Try the new *Yahoo! Canada >>> Messenger for the Web BETA* >>> <http://ca.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com> >> Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.37/2130 - Release Date: >> 05/23/09 07:00:00 >> >
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