Snakes on the Road!

I was out birding this afternoon with Sharon Milnar (a birdwatcher visiting from Delaware) when I spotted what I thought was a snake on Polk County 68.  I pulled off onto the shoulder, stopped the car and hopped out, fully expecting to find a flattened carcass.

 

I certainly didn't expect to see a snake basking on the county road today.  The temperature when I got up this morning was around 25-degrees F.  Apparently the road held enough heat to lure this one out from its burrow.

As I approached, the snake moved its head - it was very much alive!

I calmly walked up to it and tried to coax it back off the road.  It didn't budge.  My sweet talking clearly fell on deaf ears.  And yes, I know snakes have limited hearing capability - they don't have external ears. 

Then I gave it a gentle nudge with my boot.

Why not just pick it up? Long story:  When I was a kid, my brother tossed a garter snake at me.  I didn't see it coming, but I managed to catch it.  The terrified serpent did not appreciate my kindness.  It bit me - then "musked" me - emitting a foul-smelling white liquid (the consistency of old cottage cheese) from its rear end.

Intellectually I know garter snakes are harmless, but I just haven't spent much time 'getting over' my childhood trauma.  That's why I don't pick up snakes.

I nudged this snake again and again - until it finally slithered off into the ditch.

Sharon and I hopped back in the car and headed west on 180th Street.  We didn't get very far before I spotted another snake on the side of the road.

This one didn't take kindly to my advances.  It curled up into a ball, raised its head, opened its mouth wide enough to show a pink lining.  It flicked its forked red tongue (with black tips) and hissed at me.  Clearly agitated, it launched itself towards me, biting at my boot!

Message received.  I immediately backed off.

I was pretty sure it was a garter snake, but I had no clue which species.  So I pulled out my trusty Canon point and shoot camera and snapped a few photos.  Then the snake took the hint and headed back toward the prairie.

When I got home, I pulled out my snake ID books.  Based on the vertical black lines on the yellow upper lip, I narrowed it down to a Plains Garter Snake.

This species prefers grassland habitats near water where it feeds on slugs, salamanders and earthworms.  It has been spotted taking prey as large as rodents, meadowlarks and bank swallows.  They over-winter by hibernating, but it's not unusual to spot these cold-tolerant reptiles on a warm winter day, sunning themselves along side the road.

If you see one...