4 October 2008, 6:15 pm
We were out playing disk golf tonight and this guy was up on the tee-off pad. Scared the hell out of me because I didn't see him until he was striking at my leg. Luckily he missed, but he was striking like a venomous snake and it's pretty clear from the shape of his head that he is. This is in a heavily wooded area in Chattanooga, TN. He was around 14-18 inches long, looked like a juvenile and wiggling his tail like a rattle snake, but of course, no rattle. I'm leaning towards rattle snake though, maybe a juvenile without a rattle yet. Anyone recognize him? If possible, send some links to a good identification for him. Thanks! http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9110/igp1511fs0.jpg http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5520/igp1513ss2.jpg http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_rat_snake.htm Looks good to me from the bottom of this page. The markings are exact but the shape of the head is still puzzling me since the one i saw had a way more triangular shape than the pictures the I see of the black rat snake. Maybe because of the way his head is reared back or maybe a threatened posture? We did provoke him a little. I'm happy with your answer, thanks! BTW, we sent him on his way and off of the heavily treaded concrete pad.... read more
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