2017 - Snakes are cold blooded animals unlike humans which means their brain needs much less oxygen to survive. So when a snake is killed or say decapitated, its brain can live for much longer time than humans or other warm blooded animals. That causes the head and sometimes the body muscles to move even after death. When googled.

[QUOTE=collie1228;1817342]I know, another snake thread. I was out of town for a week and when I returned, I noticed that my collection of anoles was much smaller than when I left. Thinking a predator might be around, I walked out of my slider onto the patio, and was moving down the sidewalk along the side of the house (my courtyard villa has a grass lawn), when a long black racer raised its head about a foot off the grass and struck at me. I was 7-8 feet away from it, so it had no chance to bite me, but it scared the daylights out of me. It proceeded to strike at me several more times, so I ran into the garage and got a golf club. I'm a live and let live person when it comes to "harmless" snakes, but I won't put up with an aggressive animal of any kind in my yard. I wasn't able to catch him and he slithered into a thick bush where I couldn't see him. Apparently he left the area as I haven't seen him since and the remaining anoles are active again. Has anyone else ever had a run-in with an aggressive black racer?[/QUOTE

I wonder if snakes are protective of their young and maybe she (assuming a 'she') has a nest of young ones nearby and was just trying to keep you away from it. Hmmm?

That would be fine if we lived on a farm. Shooting a firearm off in your back yard here in TV-landwould be dangerous and irresponsible. And don't shoot or kill any black snake, period. They do good work! If you have a rattleshake in your back yard, go ahead and kill it with a 9 iron. But, be aware that they are hard to kill and can move faster than you can.

This is Florida. I have seen several rattlesnake skins in the pool areas. Ask a pool maintenance man about that.

Rattlesnakes and water mocassins have fangs. Therefore, they have LARGE triangular heads. Not sure about coral snakes, which are rarer. Black snakes and other non-poisonous varieties are easily identified by small heads. They will, however, try hard to bluff like they are poisonous. A turtle can bite you like a snake, also. But, they are not as feared because they are slower. I have cornered a 4ft black snake in my golf car garage as I tried to "herd" it out - it was difficult because they are fast. Don't ever reach for them because like a snapping turtle, they WILL bite - and they are fast. I had only 1 experience with a water mocassin in about 45 years in Florida. I was fishing at a lake and standing in about 2 and 1/2 ft of water. A 3 ft one swam toward my leg. It got within about 8 inches of my leg, then decided that it was too big to eat (I guess) and continued swimming. I kept fishing. Incidentally, you are basically safer when a black snake is around. Somehow? they are tougher than rattlesnakes and keep them away. So, be nice to your low paid security guard - the black snake!

Do NOT reach for him. Do yourself and him a favor by just "shoooing" him out the door.

All wrong - both about the dead snake and any perceived idea that it would be easy to dispose of, if alive. And they can live for months before they slow down. They are real survivors!

Very good! Both funny and true for black snakes and other non-poisonous ones.

Are you talking the human OR the reptile variety?????

[QUOTE=cbmerl@yahoo.com;1817903]Reptiles lay eggs and walk (or slither) away after and NEVER look back. Some eat their young like that old days comedian suggested that humans do. Can't remember his name - am I senile or what?

I had one black racer in my garage a few years ago. When I chased it out it literally attacked me the whole time attempting to bite with no success. Yes, they are aggressive and fast. And, do not get bitten by one even though they are not poisonous they can infect you with nasty bacteria.

We have 1 (maybe 2 different ones??) and I have christened it Jakie Snakie. I leave him alone and he leaves me alone.

leave the gun, take the cannoli

Snakes like cannoli's?

Surprised to hear that it was aggressive. I garden a great deal and have seen them in my flower beds many times and they usually take off. Do not kill them! They are beneficial snakes. That being said do not get bitten either, even tho they are not venomous, I cannot imagine that would be any fun. I have taken to poking around before stepping in with a long stick or tool.