Gardening

usonian

(19,164 posts) Wed Jul 9, 2025, 06:24 PM Jul 9

Mother nature to the rescue (vs. pests) Warning, King Snake

A welcome sight after a recent assault by the Mickey and Minnie army, and the ever-present gophers.

"zoomed" iphone photo, hence the fuzziness. I kept my distance until I got an ID on it.

I haven't seen a snake anywhere near the home for years. Perhaps because native grass within 100 ft. of the home can't exceed 4 inches in height per Cal Fire regulations, and that exposes hiding places.

I suspect that this critter is living in some rocks. I have lots of big rocks.

Non-venomous, and immune to venom, so they will eat rattlesnakes. They are a constrictor.

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Mother nature to the rescue (vs. pests) Warning, King Snake (Original Post) usonian Jul 9 OP

We had a rat snake in the base of our generator Keepthesoulalive Jul 10 #1

I've got acres, and giant rocks on the east side. usonian Jul 10 #2

Keepthesoulalive

(1,557 posts)

1. We had a rat snake in the base of our generator

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Thu Jul 10, 2025, 08:11 PM

Jul 10

We named him Sammy. The mice had chewed through the wires many times. Sammy put an end to that nightmare, but Sammy shed his skin and he’s too big to fit under the generator so we are on the lookout for mice.

usonian

(19,164 posts)

2. I've got acres, and giant rocks on the east side.

Reply to Keepthesoulalive (Reply #1)

Thu Jul 10, 2025, 08:29 PM

Jul 10

Giant as in 10 feet or more tall. Hard to estimate. Cool to photograph. Wide, wide wide angle lenses needed.

Smaller ones on the west side, where I have seen smaller snakes in the past. This one was about 10 feet from a nice rock group (and outlook) No doubt a happy snake home.
These are about 6 ft or so tall.

Pix are on the computer right now.

Water buckets work outside.

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