Saturday, August 8, 2015
Narcisse Snake dens
This is very cool, you guys, and don't worry, it's not just a whole vid of writhing. I had never heard of this place! Apparently, it's actually a much visited spot for snake and nature lovers. This is in Manitoba and it protects the Red Sided Garter Snake. That's the little guys that live in the dens in my yard! You can go there and watch, film and even pick up a slithery critter if you promise not to hurt it. (They have really cute faces and are curious.) Aww, this would be so cool for children. They have it set up, so you aren't in danger of mingling with the Red Siders, unless you want to.
Don't tell anyone, seriously, but, I have this many of these Snakes. Like, this many as shown in this video. Not on the whole habitat, which looks pretty large. This is exactly what I see every Spring and on select days during mating season. See? I'm not the only one who would pull a lawn chair and watch! I know some of you hate them and believe me, I get it. But, they're just harmless critters to me. I would hate to see the Snakes here destroyed, this is where most of Guntown's Snakes come from. Shhh. If we didn't have Snakes, there is no way we could live in the steaming Hell that is Iowa. Because of the intense heat and huge amount of water we had this year, the mosquitos are like a literal lace curtain when you go out at night. Can you imagine how horrible it would be without Snakes and Bats? Anyway, I learned about protected Garter Snake habitats today! I'm glad I give them a place to den. Though most of it was unintentional. (Took me awhile to catch on, remember all my WTF posts? Geez.) It doesn't affect me at all, except a few measly days a year. I can deal or stay indoors.
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9 comments:
Call me weird, or call me a lover of underdogs but I think snakes are classy creatures and I agree they're cute and in some cases beautiful. I love bats too. We would be overrun with mosquitoes and vermin without them. I draw the line at hosting the writhing masses in my yard though.
HUGS YOU! Frim, you just made my day. Night. These dudes have bright, round inquisitive eyes, little nosey looking areas and seem to smile. Not all snakes are cute to me, all should be respected, but, cute? No. Garter Snakes, though? Adorbs.
I didn't host them on purspose. I think they've been breeding in huge numbers here for decades on the sneak due to available weird hidden habitats and no one who lived here before me spent or spends any time outdoors! That simple, they just never noticed. Give these dudes a hidden, cemented over storm celler for 20 years..BOOM! I have snakes. I mean, I HAVE SNAKES! But, I have noticed and in the last few years, yep, I have purposely provided them with more habitat. Sneeeeeky. But, if no one has noticed, then how are they bothering anyone? There. Justified in my head. (My head might be a weird place though.)
PS..these people are so blind to their own environment that my mother had no idea her entire east wall was full of them, until I found them. Remember that post? Jesus. You can hear that many. Or feel them. Or smell them. Something.
I'm fine with snakes in their proper environment, like a zoo exhibit or pet shop. It's when I'm outside and get startled that it bugs me. Or in my house wandering around, that gets me I hate being startled.
Oh, me too, I am so with you on that. But, I have learned, when you run upon one outside, STAY STILL. Make no sudden movements and look at the situation you're in. Sudden movements make Snakes panic, that is when you can get it. You can identify and breathe if you stay still. Then decide what to do, what's safest. Or, pet the critter and laugh at yourself when you realize it's harmless. As for inside, cats or dogs always tell you that you have one. A bowl of water in the middle of the room lures them out in the night and you can catch and release. Always works for me. Use a towel or an oven mitt to pick them up and toss the whole thing. LOL, get your oven mitt back the next day, ya go to sleep quite peacefully that night.
You know, I wonder if a small catch and release trap baited with fresh water would work for snakes? I have never tried that. What do you think?
Oh whacking day oh whacking day...
I know you are okay with this, but it is the stuff of nightmares for me. I didn't go to the site because that is enough to put me over the edge. I know there are a few snakes around here, but not many, thank goodness. The idea that your mom's house wall is full of them is pure horror to me. Once I discovered that, I would never be able to live in that house again.
Christina
Get me a chair and a high place to put it on, and I'll watch the snakes til the cows come home. I'm not super scared, but I do have a healthy fear of them. If I don't know what kind, I stay away. If I'm certain it won't bother me, sure I will get close to it and pet it. But I've never seen garter snakes in this area before, just copperheads.
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