Ophidian Beauty Revisited

OK, OK I know I am in a minority here but I am always delighted when I find a snake in my yard and I have a particular fondness for this little individual. This stunning Western Lyre Snake has previously tried to sneak into the house. But on this occasion he was just trundling along outside the dining room window . The Lyre Snake is mildly venomous and back-fanged but that is not as scary as it sounds. In fact back-fanged snakes really have to have a good chew to envenomate their prey. I have free handled this snake and it was as relaxed and mellow as any of the captive bred snakes I have at work. I know that is not for everyone but what I am trying to say is that snake does not have to equate to instant death (for the snake or you!) or terror!

Ophidian Beauty

We were having a desk delivered but because nothing is that simple in life it wouldn't fit through the door so we had to take the insect screen off and bring it in through the window. Before we popped the screen back in, this little beauty decided to pay us a visit and was duly spotted half way through the window. After having ascertained that I wasn't dealing with a rattlesnake, I donned very thick gloves and lifted him gently down. When it became apparent that he wasn't the remotest bit interested in biting me I dispensed with the gloves and indulged in some photos before releasing him carefully back into the yard. So thrilled - a snake at last :)