I know it's springtime when...

The rubber boas come out of hibernation!

Snake snack

Just a quick post to say that I saw one of the Golden Girl pullets kill and eat a baby snake yesterday afternoon. I think it was a garter snake, and it was so small that we thought it was a worm at first. I tried to get a closer look to see what kind of snake, but she was running around like a maniac, all the other girls chasing her, screaming what I believed to be chicken speak for "Mine! Mine! Mine!". Crazy birds.

Gonna try and get some pics up this week, and log last weekend's activities. We'll see how it goes.

The rubber boas were out today too

Hope you're not afraid of snakes...

So, last Sunday I had gotten out the clearing saw, and was going to mow down some grasses/berry stalks in one of the garden areas.  I started the saw, left it to warm up, and turned around to move some sticks and branches off the area I was going to mow.  I almost stepped on a snake!  Now, I like snakes and don't want to hurt them.  It turned out to be a rubber boa.  I picked it up, intending to move it so I didn't smush or mow it, and almost stepped on another!  Weird.  I looked around for more, and found SEVEN of them in about a 10'x10' area.  Seven!  I think this is their breeding season, but it was still strange to see snakes out when it's so cold.

What a handful!

Rubber boas are native to the Western US.  Their skin does feel sort of rubbery.  It's looser than you find in most snakes, and their scales are quite small.  They have blunt tails that somewhat resemble a second head.  I'm pretty sure their primary food is rodents, though I've read that they will also eat reptile eggs and birds if they find them.  The theory is that their tails serve as a decoy "head" if they are attacked, and they use them to fend off the attacker (momma mouse perhaps).  I believe it, as most of the seven I picked up had pretty scarred tails.  Below is a tail shot of one of the larger boas.

They are very docile, and I've never had one even hiss at me.  They are supposed to get nearly 3' long, but all I've seen have been under 20" or so.  These guys were very cool.  After their photoshoot, I put them all back where I'd found them, and they slithered down rodent holes (or perhaps their own burrows) and were gone.  LJ has found a few over the last week, and I'm keeping an eye out for them so as to not smush any while I'm out working.  I found a garter snake too that day, but it wouldn't hold still for a picture.  :)

Fewer pets!!!

Basil the boa is going to a new home! Woohoo! I got an email response from a reptile rescue that I had emailed about him. They're gonna take him this weekend!* I've had him so long (11 years) that I'm a little sad to see him go, but he just doesn't get enough attention anymore. Additionally, we're really trying to not have animals unless they serve a purpose. So, Basil goes to a group that will either use him in reptile programs (like they do for schools) or they will find him a suitable home. Win win! Woohoo!

*Got an email back that it will need to be sometime next week, not this weekend. Ah well, still happening! :)

Sun!

Oh yes. I get to wear sunglasses today. Really should have taken the day off of work! Gonna head by the old house later to do my taxes (while we still have internet there) and load up some more stuff. Maybe we'll even move the stove! Also may have someone lined up to adopt my redtail boa. Really hope they take him. I just don't have time for him. It will be sad to see him go, but it's got to be done. Fingers crossed!