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Snake Encounter Reports 2007 Reported to www.bugsinthenews.com Edited by Jerry Cates The following reports were e-mailed to us on the dates indicated. Many thanks to all who have taken the time to provide accounts of their experiences. Names are, in most cases, reduced to initials (or first names and the first initial of the last name) to protect the privacy of the contributors, but the general locations of the sightings are shown. Note that many reports do not indicate where the encounter took place. I urge all who send us future reports to mention at least the state/province and city where the encounter took place in your report. All reports sent in are answered as quickly as possible, and questions posed in the reports are addressed in the reply. The text of specific replies is not always provided in the text below, but may include editorial comments from time to time in response to particular questions. Following are snake encounter reports received during 2007 (below that are reports received in the years 2002-2004; reports for 2005-2006 were not published due to time constraints extant at the time): 23 July 2007: Texas long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus), Baylor County, Texas 29 May 2007: Great Plains ground snake, El Paso, Texas 22 May 2007: Rat snakes and mice, Sherman-Howe Area, North Texas 20 May 2007: Unknown snake species, Northwest Austin, Texas 20 May 2007: Buttermilk racer, Conroe, Texas May 20, 2007: Checkered garter snakes, Northwest Austin, Texas May 19, 2007: Question about the way snakes slither, Fort Worth, Texas May 18, 2007: Question about snakes in Sugar Land, Texas May 18, 2007: Texas Rat Snake, Austin (Lake Austin), Texas
Hi---We
found your website while trying to identify a snake
[THE SNAKE]
we saw in our backyard this afternoon. We’d appreciate any help you can
give us. We live in
Karen---This is a Texas rat
snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri). Nice specimen, too, and
obviously very mature as this species tends to darken as it ages.
It is non-poisonous, and very beneficial---Jerry
May 18, 2007: Texas Coral Snake, Conroe, Texas Mr. Cates---My husband, Don,
recently emailed you with a picture of a copperhead our dog cornered in
the backyard. I thought you might enjoy seeing the coral snake
[THE SNAKE] he killed back on the 25th of April. Kristy---I'm glad the website is helpful. Thanks for the photo. I hope your are using a snake repellent in your back yard these days---Jerry May 16, 2007: Southern Copperhead, Conroe, Texas
We came home this evening to find [THE
SNAKE] what I am 90% sure is a copperhead in our
backyard. Our dog had it cornered and I took some time to prod it
with a hoe before dispatching it (we have 3 kids who play in the
area). We live just south of Conroe off of Creighton Road.
I did find it interesting that the snake was vigorously shaking its
tail, while it was being prodded. It had slit eyes and a diamond
shaped head. Its fangs were visible as it repeatedly struck at the
hoe.
We couldn't locate our digital camera but we did get a photo of it
with a cell-phone camera right before I killed it. The picture
quality isn't super but it does show the distinct coloration.
Hopefully I'm correct in my ID of the snake as being venomous.
Photo is attached...
Regards, Don A.,
Conroe, TX
-------------------
This is definitely a southern copperhead (Agkistrodon
contortrix contortrix). The hour-glass shaped markings are very
obvious. How long was its body, and is it possible to get some
close-up photos today with a higher resolution camera?
Many thanks for the photo and the
report. I will get it posted immediately---Jerry
-------------------
I'll try to get a nice close-up of the coloration with a digital
camera this evening. (if its still there when I get home from
work....we have lots of critters that carry off the carrion...pun
intended)
This specimen was approx. 18 inches long and not aggressive at all.
He seemed to be more interested in hiding in some high grass than
doing anything else. But he did shake the tip of his tail, which was
a dark brown color.
Thanks for the quick reply and the superb website. We now go to your
website first to ID snakes. I have a degree in Biology from UNT and
am very good at ID'ing our native trees, but I've never been
proficient at ID'ing snakes... Don
----------------------
Since you have several children
(not to mention a courageous dog that corners copperheads
without--at least to this date--getting bitten) and now have
found a venomous snake in your yard, I recommend that you
consider using a snake repellent around your back yard to reduce
the likelihood that this experience will be repeated.
Note that several different kinds of snake repellents are available today. I have used several of these repellents with my clients and have had good success with them (the only measure of success, of course, is the absence of snakes, so I suppose we could also call them elephant repellants, if you catch my drift; however, so far, I've never had a snake cross any of these repellents, after they were used according to the manufacturer's label). Check them all out, and choose one that you feel comfortable with. If you purchase and use a particular product, please consider writing to tell me how it worked for you. I am going to add such reports to this website soon, because I believe it is very important to do whatever possible to avoid unnecessary encounters with venomous snake.
The good thing about the repellents is you can limit the
exclusion area. I do the same thing for my home, but some
clients have no tolerance for snakes anywhere, and it is
useless (and actually counterproductive to relationships) to
try to change their minds.
You are a fortunate biologist, with opportunities just
beyond your doorstep to explore and commune with nature.
Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, and that general area are
blessed with interesting flora and fauna. Do you ever get
up to Jefferson and the lakes in that area? Spending time
in such places changes one's perspectives on many things.
Imagine being stuck behind a desk, so caught up in the
business world that you never got to do that. I once had
that problem, but no more... Life is too short.
I hope you are employed in a field that takes full advantage
of your education and interests.
Thanks for everything. Let's keep in touch---Jerry
----------------------
I have spent considerable time in the
area you speak of. I seriously dated a girl in college, who
was from the Longview area and we spent time and rode
horses on her Dad's acreage.
I can relate to being trapped behind a desk. I was the head
of sales, nationally, for Wards Natural Science in New
York for almost a decade and was either in meetings or on an
airplane that whole time.
A few years ago, I decided, like you, that there was more to
life than all that and started my own lab supply business in
Conroe
www.TexasScientificSupply.com. Now
that the business is out of its infancy, I have plenty of
time to work my small plot of undisturbed forest and enjoy
my kids and family. Unfortunately, the nature of a suburban
neighborhood is to pretty much clear the land except for the
biggest of the trees, and plant grass seed. That, of course,
drives the snakes and everything else onto my property.
Which is good and bad.
Here's a better shot of the snake [THE
SNAKE]. It does have some fire ants crawling on
it, but it does show the coloration better.
Take Care---Don May 15, 2007: Texas Rat Snake, Fort Worth, Texas
Hi--In surfing the net to identify the snake
[THE SNAKE] I
observed in the bird house, I came across Snake Encounters and
thought I would send this to you..in hopes that you could identify
it. You do have an interesting web page...thank you!
Fort Worth has had its share of rain in the past few weeks, but I am
not sure that is why this snake is "living" in the bird house.
I live about 2 miles west of the Navy Joint Reserve base. My house
is also near a levy and there is water that does flow to the levy
from the hill near my house.
Note: the birds have "lived" in this house for about 4 years. In
the winter this particular clan seem to hang something in front of
the hole. The circular metal piece surrounding the hole is due to
squirrels attemtping to take over their house. We have had to put
this type of ring around all the bird houses in the yard. so...now
a snake just slithers in! It does appear to be quite long. He
came out of the house, around the tree and went back in head
first.....
Thanks for letting me send this to you! --Joanne P.
May 4, 2007: Texas Rat Snake, Southwest Austin, Texas
Hi--
We saw this surprisingly large (maybe 3 to 4 feet long) snake
[THE
SNAKE] in a red oak tree this evening (5/4/2007). Our
house backs up to a greenbelt and a flood retention pond in
Southwest Austin. We often see smaller snakes in our yard throughout
the spring, but we've never encountered one quite this large. For
what it's worth, the flood retention pond has been full for a couple
of days. I don't know if that has anything to do with our visitor.
I wish I could have gotten a better
photo, but it was pretty high up and I was terrified of it.
Unfortunately, I didn't see where it went, although one of my
daughters thinks she saw it snap at a small bird.
Can you make an id with the attached
photo? If you zoom in, you can see its head pretty clearly.
Robyn C. ----------------------------
Robyn
Your snake (a beautiful specimen, I might add) is a
Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri), very beneficial
and non-poisonous. You have nothing to fear from this fellow,
unless you try to pick it up. It is a pugnacious snake and will
bite, producing--in as large a specimen as this--bloody and
painful bites. The bite is otherwise of no consequence.
It preys mostly on rats and mice, and is good to
have around for that reason. Unfortunately, it will also eat
birds and their eggs if given a chance. However, its favorite
food is in the form of a rodent...
Jerry
---------------------------
Wow!
That was a quick (and comforting) answer. It also explains why the mama owl that lives in my backyard is so restless today. She's been all over the yard today, never taking an eye off her nest box. The many other birds that hang out in my yard were pretty agitated this afternoon, too. I wonder if Mr(s) snake was after a nest in that tree.
Should we assume that this snake lives in our yard or is it
possible (s)he was just visiting? Also, is it safe to assume
it's not going to bother us if we leave it alone?
My 7-year-old daughter is convinced it was a python or a boa
constrictor and she's sworn she's never going in the backyard
again. . .
Thanks again for your quick help. We sure have some great nature
resources here in Austin!
Robyn
----------------------------
Robyn
You are probably right about the reasons
behind the owl's nervousness. By the way, the owl preys
on rodents and small birds, too, so it and the snake
are both about equally beneficial--and culpable--in
those two venues.
Snakes don't travel far from good sources of prey, so
this fellow will likely stay around as long as hunting
is good. Fortunately it is harmless to you, your
children, and your pets (not including pet mice,
obviously, if they are kept outside). Expect to see it
again.
Ask your daughter to check out the photos and
information on
and
It will be immediately obvious to her that this snake is
neither species. The Texas rat snake won't hurt her.
I'm happy to help. Keep me posted on how things go... I
will be posting your photo in a few minutes.
Jerry
May 4, 2007: Unknown snake species, San Antonio, Texas
Hi, I live in San Antonio and this morning I found a snake by my
son's toys. The snake is very tiny I think it's a baby but I
don't know. It's about 4 inches in length and very small
around. The coloring is a solid grayish brown on the top and
kind of peach colored on the bottom. I just need to know what
it is, considering this is the second one I have found.
Thanks,
Amberly V.
--------------------
Amberly
Several snake species have
the characteristics you mention. It is, as you suggested, a
juvenile, as the only snake we have in Texas that is mature
at that length is the blind snake, which is entirely flesh
colored.
If possible, take some
digital photos and send them to me. Alternatively, I will
be in San Antonio next Tuesday (May 8) and can drop by to
have a look at the snake. It is not poisonous, as juvenile
copperheads and cottonmouths have bright yellow tails (which
you did not mention), rattlesnakes have buttons on their
tails (which you did not mention), coral snakes have the
same coloration for the belly as the sides and backs, and
those are the only poisonous snakes native to Texas.
I suspect it may be a rough
earth snake...
Jerry
May 4, 2007: Texas Rat Snake, McKinney, Texas
Jerry
I found your website today while trying to identify this snake [THE SNAKE] my husband came across in our yard today. As you can see he made his way up a tree and is still alive. From the photos I observed he looks like a rat snake??? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Jennifer B
Jennifer---Yes, its a Texas
rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri). Excellent photos!
This snake is beneficial and (as long as
you and the kids don't try to pick it up) harmless. Its bite
can be painful and bloody, but is not poisonous---Jerry
May 2, 2007: Texas Rat Snake, Tomball, Texas Hi---I found your website while trying to identify this snake [THE SNAKE] that my husband came across at the back of our property in Tomball, TX. He took the best pictures he could while holding it still. He tried to keep it in a trashcan until we could find out if it was a good snake or poisonous one, but it got out!!! He said that when he approached it, the snake curled up and shook it's tail, struck and hissed like a rattler, but no rattle is there! I would like to know what kind of snake this might be as we have small children and this is the fifth snake in the last two months! Three were coral snakes, then one last week that we couldn't identify - it was approximately three feet long, charcoal grey with a white belly and random, sparse white specks on its back. When confronted it reacted just like the one today! The most recent one I have attached several photos of. It is about four feet long. Hopefully you can help with this one, and if you have any ideas regarding the grey one they would be greatly appreciated!!!---Ms. M. -----------------------
Hi---The photo is of
a Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri). The species is
very beneficial and, though it will bite if handled, your children
or pets have nothing to fear from it otherwise. It is a pugnacious
snake, and will behave just as you mentioned. That display is
effective at keeping humans at bay.
The charcoal
gray snake with random white specks and white belly was probably a
buttermilk racer (Coluber constrictor anthicus). No other Texas
snake has that marking, though the speckled king snake has tiny
yellow spots regularly spaced on its body, with a yellow belly
marked with large squarish markings. Both the buttermilk racer and
speckled king snake are non-poisonous. Again, however, these snakes
tend to be quick tempered, and will bite if handled. The buttermilk
racer tends to be less temperamental than most, but every snake has
its own personality. Hope this helps.---Jerry
Jerry---Thanks for your prompt reply. I'll rest easier knowing that Rat snake is on the prowl for those pesky rats and mice I have around here that my cat is not the least bit interested in. I also looked up the Buttermilk Racer and found a picture that is exactly what I found in my yard last week. I'm trying to learn to be less reactive with a hoe to the head to everything that slithers and realize that I'm the one invading their space, not the opposite. Thanks again.---Paul M. May 1, 2007: Diamond-backed Water Snake, Lake Granbury, Texas
Hi, Jerry: Sorry I don't have a picture
but I'll give you a description of the snake I saw. It generally has
diamond shapes on it on it's back, in dark gray or black colors with
a lighter and narrower colors of gray in between the
dark diamonds. It has a long slender tapering tail. This kind of
snake is very common in and around Lake Granbury. I knew the name
of it a long time ago but have forgotten it. If you run from one it
will chase you, but if you turn on it the snake will run. We
experienced one getting in our house recently buy just can't
remember the name of it. when I find out the name I will write it
down this time. John P., Granbury, Texas.
Thank you for your time on this.
----------------
John
could it be a diamond-backed water
snake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer)? The juveniles have long
tapering tails, but the older ones have stout bodies. they are very
common around Lake Granbury. Some pages with photos are linked
below:
Jerry
----------------- Thanks, Jerry. It looks like the diamond-backed water snake. John May 1, 2007: Unknown snake species, Mansfield, Texas
Hi--I
don’t have a picture, but I’ll try to explain as best as I can.
About 3 feet long, dark brown in color, triangle head, (I know that this
doesn’t always mean poisonous). I could see the snake's venom
glands. It had yellow markings and a red tongue. My husband and
son found the snake in the back yard while mowing. We have thick
woods with a creek behind our house. We live just south of the DFW
area. (Mansfield)
Teresa
Can you describe the yellow
markings? Were they in a pattern you can compare with anything?
You mentioned you saw the venom
glands. Where were they, and what did they lool like?
Because of your location, it is
possible you saw an eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos).
The links that follow have photos of that species:
Let me know if any of those look
anything like the snake you saw.
Jerry
Note: Teresa has not replied... April 30, 2007: Texas Rat Snake, Austin, Texas
Hello:
I got your email off
of the web and was curious if you can identify the snake in the attached
picture
[THE
SNAKE]. Based upon pictures on your site it looks like it
might be a rat snake. I feel kind of bad because I killed it – worried
about my boys playing outside. If it was a rat snake it looks like it
could be a beneficial snake. The size of it kind of scared us. It
was probably 6+ feet long.
Anyway, I’d appreciate
an identification if you can provide one.
Todd
Todd
Beautiful specimen of--you guessed
it--a Thanks for the photo. I will post it in a few days, after my software upgrades are fully installed and tested. Jerry
Jerry:
Thanks
for the information. Obviously hindsight is 20 – 20, but I wish I
had waited on killing it. I didn’t want it to get hidden and then
worry about it for several weeks – thinking it may be something a bit
more dangerous.
Regards,
Todd April 24, 2007: Texas Rat Snake (& skunks), Anna, Texas
Hi Jerry,
I found your website and
email address last night when I sat down to do some serious research
about rat snakes and skunks. I was trying to educate my husband who
thinks there is no such thing as a good snake..... :>( .......
especially when our neighbors have told us of copperhead incidences
with their dogs. Our family which consists of two very beautiful and
lovable but too curious boxer dogs will be moving out to this
location within 6 months after a more permanent home is built.
Here's my story and
consequent questions:
On Wednesday April 25th I saw a
Texas Rat Snake going under the raised floor of an apartment IN
my 40 by 70 foot metal storage barn we recently purchased out in the
country........our home away home. We have had a problem with mice
and probably rats in and among the hay stored in the barn and at
least mice in the apartment so I was VERY glad to see the snake. I
have warned people going in and out of that barn about the snake AND
that "their" very lives are at risk if they kill "MY" snake!
(I have learned to
appreciate and peacefully co-exist with rat eating snakes ever since
a couple showed up and took care of the rat problem I had for a year
or so in my barn in a more metropolitan area where I am living now.
The rats were spooking my stalled horses at night and were as big as
a small cat. Their babies were drowning in one of my horse's water
buckets and in fact caused a near fatal episode in that horse after
drinking the urine tinged water.)
Saturday, a group of us were
relaxing in the sitting room of the apartment in the barn when we
heard piercing shrieks of some animal in distress. The shrieks were
quite loud and fierce at first but became whimpers and finally were
gone. But just as quickly as the sound was gone we immediately
smelled skunk stink. By this time I had stepped outside and the
odor was clearly SKUNK!
My question is: What
are the chances that the snake got the skunk or at least one of the
babies? Do Rat Snakes go after skunks....AND....are Rat Snakes
effected by Skunk Stuff? I liked to think "MY" snake is still alive
and will come back after all that.
If you have time to
answer my email, I would be most grateful to hear what your take is
on the episode. Thanks
Starr M
Anna, Texas
------------------------------
Starr
I would be very surprised if rat snakes pass up a
chance to take a juvenile skunk for a meal. Considering the
musk snakes produce, skunk musk would not faze them... which is
to say, your snake is safe, and should definitely come back,
maybe for more skunk.
But I may be wrong on this.
Jerry
April 24, 2007: Desert King Snake, Tynan, Texas
Good
Morning Jerry,
I was
using your website to identify a snake [THE
SNAKE] that we ran into on our Farm the other night
just outside of Tynan Tx. This one ended up in the back yard, and I
was not able to identify it at the time because of the darkness. As
I have small children, I must inform you that this ol' chap is no
longer with us. I'm not one to kill a snake just because it's a
snake, but in this case I wasn't sure what I was dealing with. The
only profile I could get close to on your website was an atypical
coral snake. I took a very high resolution picture to research with
and have attached it. We have seen plenty of Rattlesnakes on the
farm, but I have never seen one like this . . . . .
Thanks
for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Ken C.
----------------------------
Ken
Excellent photo--it's a beautiful specimen. Many thanks.
This is a desert king snake (Lampropeltis getula splendida).
The king snakes are non-poisonous and essentially harmless
but--like many of our non-poisonous snakes--they can be
pugnacious. This particular subspecies tends to be less
irritable than its close cousin, the speckled king snake (L. g.
holbrooki), but it will bite if handled.
Like the rat snakes, the beneficial nature of the kings
(they keep rattlesnakes and copperheads in check) make them such
good guys to have around that their testy attitudes can be
overlooked. I heartily recommend getting to know these snakes
better so, next time you come across a king snake, you will
salute it instead of stomping it. Under the circumstances, of
course, you did the right thing. No point taking chances with
small children around.
Jerry
-----------------------------
Thanks Jerry, in the
future we will allow these guys to be fruitful and multiply. I
really did not want to kill it. Next time we will just help it
relocate . . . . .
Thanks for your
time!
Feel free to use the
photo as you see fit. Maybe it can prevent someone from making
the same mistake I did.
Thanks again, and
have a great week!
Ken C. April 11, 2007: Broad-banded Water Snake, Cinco Ranch, Katy, Texas Jerry My granddaughter Gabrielle, along with my wife and I, saw these snakes [THE SNAKES] at Cinco Ranch, in Katy, Texas, back on March 30. Maybe you can tell me what kind of snake it is. We counted 6 snakes and got the feeling that it was mating time - the largest (2.5 - 3 feet) seemed to be pursued by the smaller (2 -2.5 feet) ones. I might be off a bit on the size, but not very much. Thanks, Christer R. -----------------
Christer
These are broad-banded water snakes (Nerodia fasciata confluens). They are non-poisonous, essentially harmless. It is a beautiful species, and the strongly keeled scales make it look like it has to be poisonous, but it isn't. Many thanks for the photos, and for all your work getting the high resolution images to me. I'll work on getting them on put on the web right away.
Jerry
April 10, 2007: Western Cottonmouth, Lake Texana, Texas Enjoyed your web site, in addition, one of your pics
and descriptions helped to affirm what I believed to be true. --------------------- John Thanks for sharing your experience. To me, the most interesting part of this and similar experiences is that, most of the time, a cottonmouth will not behave in an aggressive, threatening manner, while non-poisonous water snakes tend to be super-aggressive (e.g., striking out at the slightest provocation). I agree that you had no choice but to destroy this snake, due to the presence of the children. What would you have done with a diamond-backed water snake, I wonder? Probably, you would have had to kill it, too, again--due to the presence of the children--but because of its aggressive nature, you would not have felt uncomfortable about it until much later, when you learned it was a harmless water snake. Those who spend time in parks and wilderness recreation areas do well to become familiar with the snakes that also reside there. You knew not to rely on the outward behavior of the snake as a sign that it is either harmless or poisonous, but most do not have that insight. On discovering a poisonous snake, one must do whatever necessary to protect themselves and others. A non-poisonous snake, even a very aggressive one, should be left alive, if possible, but should also be removed from the site so that its natural aggressive tendencies don't lead to unnecessary bites and the snake's demise. Also... (sorry, got to get this in) take some photos next time... Jerry April 9, 2007: Texas Rat Snake, Lake LBJ, Texas Jerry This fellow
[THE
SNAKE] showed up on my front porch (on Lake LBJ just outside Marble
Falls) one evening last fall. It looked harmless, but my knowledge of
snakes is limited. From looking at the photos on your very helpful
website, I'd say it looks most like a rat snake. Am I correct? -------------------- Gail You are indeed correct. It's a Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri), in the blue phase we see from time to time in the hill country. Most other snakes of this species have brown or reddish brown blotches and saddles on an orange background. The last blue-phase Texas rat snake I've found, personally, was on the San Gabriel river in Georgetown. They are unusually beautiful specimens, and like all Texas rat snakes, very beneficial creatures to have around. Jerry April 7, 2007: Marsh Brown Snake, Hurst, Texas, and Rough Earth Snake, Hurst, Texas
Jerry---From the website where you help identify
snakes we are told this [THE
SNAKES]
is a brown snake. We are not sure, though, and have not
found any pictures to help us identify it.
My son loves it and wants to keep it as
a pet (OUTSIDE) what do they eat?
Thanks so much---Aprile L.
-----------------------
Aprile---The smaller snake with the pale spinal stripe is a marsh
brown snake (Storeria dekayi limnetes), and the larger,
uniformly brown snake with the cone-shaped snout is the rough
earth snake (Virginia striatula). Both are harmless, and
beneficial (they eat slugs and snails, keeping their populations
in check, a fact that every gardener should appreciate).
Please tell me where these photos were taken. City and state
will suffice. [Aprile later replied that the photos were taken
in Hurst, Texas]
Now to answer your questions.
Both these snakes love earthworms,
but they are not good at eating large ones, like those
purchased at pet or bait stores. Grabbing an earthworm
at its head or tail won't work, as the worm manages to
extricate itself before it is swallowed. In order to insure the
worm doesn't get away, the snake bites it in its middle, and folds
it in two to swallow it. Large worms are too big to get
down their small gullets folded. In the wild, the snake
has no trouble finding plenty of the smaller earthworms
suitable for eating, but the same isn't true in captivity. Feeding
them earthworms of the size they can swallow is a tough job,
and I don't recommend trying (I tried once and failed--the result was
fatal to the snake, and ruinous to my ego).
Slugs, snails, and small insects like
crickets probably will also work with these snakes, but
slugs and snails are even more difficult to acquire and,
because they are intermediate hosts for human parasites, I don't recommend keep them around or handling
them.
That leaves
crickets and mealyworms, both of which are easily obtained
from pet stores. You could try those, and see how they
work. Let me know. I found that a diet of crickets, alone,
produced what appeared to be a less than healthy snake, but
your experience may differ.
Oh, by the way--keeping the snake in an enclosure outside is not a good idea. In captivity the snake must be kept in a controlled environment or its health will quickly suffer. That almost always means keeping it inside your home, in a terrarium of some kind, with a herp heating pad glued underneath one portion of the terrarium, lined with a quantity of herp media, and a bowl of water for bathing---Jerry April 4, 2007: Blind Snakes in Bathroom; San Angelo, Texas Jerry---Every year I find these earthworm like snakes [THE SNAKE] with eyes visible and the only real way you know they are snakes is that, when they move, they make an “S” pattern with their bodies. Each year I have about 13 of them at this time of the year. Usually I find them in the bathroom. Are they Texas Blind snakes and how many do they usually have? Where can I find their nest so I can get rid of them? How do I get rid of them? I have sealed about everything I can in the bathroom but every year they come back, and I have found two in the last two days. They are 4 to 6 inches and very slim. I am tired of finding them.Thank You---Renee P.
Renee---Your location means these are probably the plains blind snake (Leptothyphlops
dulcis dulcis). A subspecies of this snake, the New Mexico
blind snake (L. dulcis dissectus) is found in the panhandle and
the El Paso area. A second species (L. humilis segregus) is
found in the Trans-Pecos area.
Regarding blind snakes, I have both
good news and bad news.
The good news:
finding several blind snakes in your bathroom is a good thing.
They are harmless to humans and their pets, and they are there
for a reason, though the reason may not warm the cockles of your
heart.
Now for the bad news:
The blind snake preys primarily on termites and ants, in that
order, and this is especially true of the plains blind snake.
The New Mexico blind snake, and the Trans-Pecos blind snake prey
about equally on ants and termites, but the plains blind snake
devotes its time more in search of termites than any other
insect. If you are seeing these snakes in your bathroom, they
are probably there because your home has a termite infestation
nearby.
Termites are swarming this time of the year, and blind snakes have an easier time feeding on them during their swarms, which is probably why you are finding the blind snakes now.
Have someone in the pest management
business inspect the bathroom for termites, especially at the
bath-trap under the bathtub, and at all the plumbing
penetrations for the commode and sinks.
Thanks for the photos. Please have
your home inspected for termites and, If termites are discovered
later, consider taking photos of the damage and the termites
themselves, and send those along, too---Jerry
April 1, 2007: Western Cottonmouth swallowing Western Ribbon Snake, Montgomery County, Texas
I believe the
predator
[THE
SNAKE]
in this picture is a Western Cottonmouth, but maybe you
can verify that for me?
We are located in
My husband killed
the big guy, so I’m hoping he is poisonous. The little guy
didn’t make it; too much damage had already been inflicted by the
time we freed him.
Thank you---Anita
Anita---Yes, definitely a western
cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivouous leucostoma), about to swallow a
western ribbon snake (Thamnophis proximus proximus).
Nice photos. Many thanks.
Tell me the details---Jerry
Details? Well,
this is the story! Let me know if there are other specifics that
you’d like to receive:
We live in an acreage
subdivision off of
We debated watching
the whole eating process, but my husband and children wanted to save the
ribbon snake if possible. In fact, my husband didn’t want to kill
the larger snake as we were not sure it was venomous. Fortunately
(in my opinion), we were able to convince him that we shouldn’t take the
slightest chance of leaving a venomous snake so close to the children’s
play area. The cottonmouth was amazingly tough. My husband
used a shovel to chop its head off … but after three chops, the head was
still attached. The snake was killed, but never decapitated.
During the killing process, the snake definitely showed its fangs
Unfortunately, the
ribbon snake was too injured to survive.
I would estimate the
cottonmouth to be about 2 feet long.
After having been
frightened last year by an Many thanks Anita M. ----------------
Anita
Great story! Tough snake,
tougher snake killer... I'll get this posted sometime today
(server crash yesterday put me behind, now playing catch-up... I
hate that)
The cottonmouth tends to be
quite docile around humans until it feels threatened. I run
into them along the streams north of your location all the time;
they leave me alone and I leave them alone. But I sure watch my
step. You did the right thing with this one,
but--unfortunately--there are plenty more where that one came
from. Consider using SNAKE-A-WAY, available at a variety of
INTERNET sources; be sure to follow the directions on the
label. It does limit the number of snakes you will around the
areas where it is used.
Jerry
March 30, 2007: Louisiana Milk Snake, Conroe, Texas Hey Jerry - As you can see [THE
SNAKE] - no "kill the fellow" March 30, 2007: Diamond-backed Water Snake, juvenile, Montgomery County, Texas Hi Jerry, ------------------ Milli Ann Excellent photos, thanks. And thanks, also, for
the kind words. I'm glad the
website is helpful. -------------------- Thanks a bunch. Glad we didn't hurt it. How big do
they get when full
grown? What do they eat? Milli Ann The mature snake of this
species ranges from 30-48 inches long (the record-setter was almost 69 inches long, found in 1963), and are the largest of
the Nerodians in Texas, with girths of four to six inches in
diameter mid-body.
They eat mostly fish, but also eat frogs and toads. March 30, 2007: Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake, College Station, Texas
Jerry,
I'm following up on your web request to send snake photos. I think
this [THE
SNAKE]
may be an Eastern hognose snake. It was in the shallow
skimmer in our pool last week. I originally thought it was a
blotched water snake, but local Texans suggest it's an
Eastern hognose. Your thoughts? Lorraine E.
----------------------
Lorraine---You are right,
this is the eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon
platirhinos). Some of the
other hog-nosed species also spread their hoods, but none as
readily as this one. The shape of the head is definitive. Thanks for the photos---Jerry
March 29, 2007: Diamond-backed Water Snake juvenile, East Texas
I found this guy [THE
SNAKE] on the apron here at the fire dept tonight and
brought him in to photograph and try and figure out what he was
as it was obvious he was not venomous. Found your website and he
looks like the other juvenile rat snake there. Feel free to post
the pic if you like and if you need any more, let me know, as I
can send some more. You can't tell by the photo but his belly is
a light chartreuse, kinda green, with some markings.
Thanks---John R.
John---I presume you are with the (name
omitted for privacy purposes) Fire Department. I get up to that
area every few months to visit a nearby city. It's my favorite part
of Texas. If you ever work the Emergency Room in (city name
omitted), say hello to my good friend, Dr. Michael W. He, his wife,
and their grown children live in a city north of there, but Mike
spends five to seven days at a time there as one of their ER Docs.
Thank you for your service in the
fire and EMS fields.
Your snake is a juvenile
diamond-backed water snake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer). The
structure of the head, combined with the markings and coloration of
the labial scales, suggest it to be one of the Nerodians. The spinal
and lateral markings, though more pronounced in the juvenile than in
the adult, but lacking all but faint diagonal lines connecting the
spinal and lateral marks, are--in combination--unique to the
diamond-backed water snake. Yours is likely a male, owing to the
structure of the long, gently tapered tail. The female's tail is
shorter, and tapers more abruptly from the vent. The belly
markings you mention are definitive for the species, though the
coloration of the belly in the adult is usually more yellowish than
chartreuse.
All the Nerodians are non-poisonous,
though a large adult can inflict a painful, bloody bite (that is
otherwise inconsequential).
Additional photos of this specimen
would be much appreciated. In particular, closeups of the underchin
scales, the midbody belly scales, and the vent. I will post all of
those as soon as possible after you send them, and should have the
present photo posted sometime today.
Many thanks for the photo, and I
look forward to additional communications from you.---Jerry
Hello again Jerry---I have taken a few more photos for you and attached them. .I
think I got all the ones you wanted and I had to Google "vent"
because I didn't want to send a pic of a snakes butt if that's not
what a "vent " was. LOL.
You are correct ,I do work for the (name omitted) FD and worked
in the city you mentioned for a private EMS provider for 4 years
ending about 5 years ago before coming to the FD. I believe I
have encountered your friend around there but I don't think I
have ever worked with him in a clinical setting. It is a nice town
and I sometimes go there to take some pictures and eat lunch
because it is only about 10 minutes from home.
I wish I still had the photo of the cottonmouth I came across
last summer. It was the largest I have ever seen. .I figured his
length to be about 2.5'-3' but I am not sure as I never could
get a secure grip on him and was only armed with a baseball bat.
At his widest point he was nearly as big around as a coke can.
Never seen another that large in my life and I have seen a lot
of them at our Deer lease in the river bottom's.
Anyway don't want to bore you with monster stories. I appreciate
your ID help with the snake and next time you come around let me
know.
I will hang on to the snake until I hear back from you in case
you need some more photos.
By the way they are quite aggressive as juveniles too.
Thanks---John R.
John---Great photos, for which I
thank you sincerely.
The city you mentioned,
and the surrounding area--a great place to get photos of
cottonmouths. They are relatively docile up there. If you
stay on the trails you'll walk right by a big one, coiled
near the path, and not notice until you've passed by--and
the snake doesn't even flinch.
The harmless water and rat
snakes, on the other hand, are super-aggressive, as you
mentioned.
I'll get these posted as
soon as I can. Many thanks.---Jerry
March 29, 2007: Broad-banded Water Snake juvenile, The Woodlands, Texas Try this one [THE SNAKE]....Thanks Tim T -----------------
Tim---This is a juvenile broad-banded
water snake (Nerodia fasciata confluens), and a beautiful specimen
(probably a male considering the gently tapered tail), so thanks for
this photo. It looks like you have it in captivity, so perhaps you
can take some more. It is harmless (it should bite if handled, but
at this stage of development, the tiny teeth won't come close to
breaking your skin) and very beneficial.
A close up of the underhead scales
(the chin from nose to neck) and the belly showing the markings on
the belly scales, and the vent and the scales from the vent down the
tail, would be helpful, if you can supply them.
Tell me the circumstances of the find, along
with the way the snake behaved before and after you caught it---Jerry
March 28, 2007: Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Round Rock, TX
This snake [THE
SNAKE]
was seen on Old Settlers Blvd., east of exit 254 of I-35
on March 28th, 2007, at about 11:00 p.m.. He had been run over and
seemed to be ruptured. Nevertheless he was still alive, and his tail
was still rattling. He appeared to be about 4 feet long.
------------------------
Many thanks for these photos.
It is sobering to find that a rattlesnake this large can
live in such close proximity to developed residential areas.
Tell me how you saw it, exactly where on Old Settlers it was
found, and all the details. People will want to know all that
when they see these photos.
Jerry
------------------------
We (my son and I ) were driving East on Old Settlers. We had
passed the intersection where the name of the road changes
to Kiphen. We were about 700 feet east of Chasco Contracting
at 2801 Kiphen Rd., Round Rock, TX 78664 when we saw the
snake coiled on the right (south) side of the road. It was
facing us and its mouth was open and its rattle tail was in
the air. We may have run it over.
We turned around and went back for a confirmatory look; and
then we got a camera, went back, and took a few pictures.
Eliot D.
--------------------------
Eliot
Thanks for the clarification. I'm in the process of
posting this on the web as we speak, and want to clear
up a minor inconsistency. You mention in your initial
post that the photos were taken around ll:00PM, but my
server time-stamped receipt of your message with the
photos at 10:42PM.
Last week I received some doctored images from a
sender in another part of Texas. The experience has
made me realize the importance of checking the more
unusual messages out as carefully as possible.
Jerry
-------------------------
Good observation regarding the time .. and you are
correct that it could not have been that late. I am
working on a laptop that is set to Eastern Daylight Time
that is one hour later. I probably looked down at the
time on the lower right corner of the screen when I was
writing, and forgot that it was EDT . The whole event,
from initial sighting, turning around and going back and
looking at it again, going to our house (about five
minutes away) getting the camera, going back to the
snake, taking a picture, turning around, going back to
the snake, and taking a few more pictures, probably took
a total of about 1/2 hour or so.
Before seeing the snake, we been to a book store, and
left there a little after 9:00 p.m. (they close at 9:00
and were closing when we left) , then we went to Sonic
and got a shake, then we were proceeding back home when
we saw the snake... oh wait a second ... I called my
wife and told her about the snake right after we saw it
.. let me go check the phone log on the cell phone...
Looks like my wife called me back at 9:38 p.m. , to tell
me not to do anything stupid when we were going back to
take pictures .... so in reflection an accurate timeline
would probably be:
--snake first seen at about 9:30
--snake photographed between 9:45 and 10:00 p.m.
FYI --- the time on the lower corner of the screen of my
laptop is exactly 10:36 a.m. just before I am sending
this to you.
Eliot D
NOTE: A map of the location where this snake was found can be viewed HERE. This area is one of the least developed portions of this highway, which helps explain how such a large rattlesnake would show up there. March 24, 2007: Diamond-backed Water Snake, Austin, Texas
Mr. Cates,
I hope this is the correct email address
for you! I'm fairly sure this little guy
[THE
SNAKE]
(less than a foot long) is a bull snake, but I'd like to have
you make sure. I do have a few other shots if you need more.
When he was riled, he flattened his
head, and coiled (obviously) like a rattler. He also struck at the
stick I used to put him in this bucket.
We're in East Austin, nearly to Manor,
and we see snakes all the time, but I'm never sure if they're rat
snakes or bull snakes. Thanks for your help
Kathy B.
-------------------------- Kathy
Your snake is a diamond-backed water snake (Nerodia
rhombifer rhombifer), non-poisonous (but will bite, though at
this size, the bite probably won't break your skin--a mature snake in this
species can produce painful, bleeding wounds), and beneficial.
Thanks for the photo. Please do send the other photos.
Jerry
-----------------
Thank you!
We turned him loose over the fence. He
seemed to have some sort of deformity just behind his head...there
was an odd twist right there.
I had never heard of this species
before. Thanks for your information!
Kathy -----------------
Kathy
I had wondered, from the initial photo,
if that might be the case. Thanks for the additional photos. I
enlarged the head to show the labial scales, and posted that to the
same page as your other photo. Thanks again.
Jerry
March 24, 2007: Unidentified snake, Athens, Texas
Hello!
My husband and some workmen killed this snake
[THE
SNAKE] in front of our house in Athens, Texas yesterday
morning. They thought it was a copperhead, but I think it is some
sort of a rat snake. I do not have very good pictures of it, but I
am sending the best one.
Could you tell us what it is please?
Thank you!
Ruth Mahoney
-----------------
Ruth
It would help if you could describe the total length of
this specimen and the structure of the tail (not pictured). Did the
tail have the same pattern as the rest of the snake, or did the
saddles become rings? Can you also take a close-up photo of the head
and tail and send it? I know it is probably long gone by now, but I
had to ask.
It is impossible to make a precise identification from this
photo, but one thing is very clear--it isn't a copperhead. The
copperhead has either broad copper-colored bands (the broad-banded
and Trans-Pecos copperheads) or hour-glass-shaped markings (the
southern copperhead).
Saddles on the spine, and blotches on the sides, as with your
specimen, are characteristic of several species, all non poisonous,
including the Texas rat snake, Louisiana pine snake, the bull snake,
Sonoran gopher snake, Texas night snake, great plains rat snake,
corn snake, Texas glossy snake, and the Kansas glossy snake.
Superficially, several poisonous snakes have markings that can
also be described as spinal saddles and lateral blotches, though
their bodies are not smooth and shiny, like your specimen, and the
lateral blotches are less distinct. These include the Mojave
rattlesnake, prairie rattlesnake, desert massasauga, western
massasauga, and western pygmy rattlesnake.
The size of this snake suggests it is mature, yet the head seems
to have dorsal markings, which rules out the Texas rat snake. Also,
the head does not appear to be larger than the neck, and the neck
markings are suggestive of those found on the Kansas and Texas
glossy snakes, as well as those of the corn snake, great plains rat
snake, Texas night snake, Sonoran gopher snake, bull snake, and
Louisiana pine snake. A close up photo of the head would clarify
which of these is most likely.
The Sonoran gopher snake, bull snake, and Louisiana pine snake
all have rings at the tail rather than saddles.
Many thanks for the photo.
Jerry
------------------------
Jerry
I am attaching the next best picture....the camera is not that good. Joe
said it was at least 3 ft long and snapped at them. I told him
that I would have snapped too if they were after me with a bunch
of hoes and shovels!
Thanks very much for the reply. I am very relieved to know that
it is not a copperhead. I am quite afraid of snakes, but I do
know that rat snakes are beneficial. We have lots of little
moles around and this snake was probably just looking for his
breakfast. Also they were doing some yard work and clearing
some "underbrush" across the road yesterday morning and this may
have driven him out from under cover and over to my "yard" if
you can call it that. We have just recently moved into our new
house and our front "yard" is a couple of acres with little
grass,etc which made the snake easy to see.
Again, thanks and if you can tell anything else from the
picture, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Ruth M.
-------------------------------- Thanks, Ruth. I envy you; a new home with acreage, in east Texas. Thanks again for the photos Jerry March 23, 2007: Southern Black Racer, Huntsville, Texas
I photographed this snake [THE
SNAKE]
yesterday near Huntsville, Tx.. At first glance, I
thought it might be what we used to call a 'Coachwhip.' However, I
am not absolutely sure.... The details of the snake really stand out
when the photo is full-screen.
Bill C.
Huntsville, Tx.
------------------ Bill The coachwhips and racers, though members of separate genera, are very much alike and very hard to distinguish. You may be right in thinking this is a coachwhip, but the scalation of the head, especially just above and behind the eye, suggests it is more likely a southern black racer. The latter is typically found most often in northeast Texas, from Mount Pleasant north and eastward, and that is a bit north of your location, but it isn't unusual for snakes to move beyond their historical boundaries. Jerry
March 23, 2007: Desert King Snake, Fort Worth, Texas Dede heard her small dogs barking in the back yard, and went out to see what they were so upset about. She found the dogs attacking a snake [THE SNAKE], which was playing dead and appeared harmless. She took photos and called for help in identifying the kind of snake involved. She later sent the photos as e-mail attachments. Many thanks to Dede for the great photos March 22, 2007: Adult Blotched Water Snake; Temple, Texas
I found this [THE
SNAKE] in my driveway, can you tell what kind it is? I have
small children and am concerned that it might be poisionous.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you!!
Molly C.
-------------------- Molly Your snake is a blotched water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster transversa), which is generally harmless (though if threatened, or handled, will bite, and the bite produces painful, freely-bleeding wounds) and beneficial. No need to worry about this one, provided you give it an avenue of escape and don't attempt to restrain it... Jerry
March 22, 2007: Adult Texas Rat Snake, swallowing a rabbit, in Flower Mound, Texas Hi Jerry - Anne J. ------------------- Anne Great photos. Many thanks. Jerry March 22, 2007: Checkered Garter juvenile, Austin, Texas
Hi Jerry-
I've used your great web site a couple of times to identify snakes
I've seen around the yard (on the north side of Austin, near Walnut
Creek Park), but I never seem to find a picture that looks
exactly like what I'm encountering. Attached are a couple of
shots of a snake [THE
SNAKE]
I've seen hanging around near my recycling bin the last
couple of weeks. This morning I found it swimming around in the
pool. I'm going to guess it's a checkered garter, but any help you
can give me in identifying it would be appreciated. It's looks like
it's a little over 12" long.
Thanks for your help and for maintaining such a useful site! Oh,
and feel free to use the photos on the site if you want.
Richard
---------------------
Richard
Great photos! It is, as you supposed, a
checkered garter (Thamnophis marcianus marcianus). The prominent
markings on the lip scales distinguish it from the ribbon snakes in
the same genus, whose lips are unmarked, while the vertical bright
crescent at the distal mouthline, the extremely thin spinal stripe,
and the squarish spots in two rows, the second row bordered by
another thin lateral stripe, establish the species.
I'm pleased to hearl the website has
been useful. Keep sending photos, and at the high resolution of
these, as they are easiest to work with.
Many thanks.
Jerry
--------------------------------
Jerry-
Thanks for the quick response.
And if you don't mind me filling up your inbox yet again, here's
[ANOTHER
SNAKE] I was able to catch in action around the house. This
one climbed a limestone brick wall on my garage to take up
temporary residence in a light fixture (a place we normally see
geckos). This was back in October 2004, same house in north
Austin. This one was shy, harder to take pictures of, and I was
never able to satisfactorily identify it. This snake too was
probably around a foot long.
Thanks again!
Richard
--------------------------------- A photo of just the midbody and tail of a snake, without the head, presents a few difficulties. A close evaluation of your photos, however, indicates this is a juvenile Texas rat snake. Geckos are a favored prey for the species, and it is not unusual to find them wrapped around light fixtures where, before, a covey of geckos had been hanging out. The Texas rat snake will eat just about anything that moves, with the exception of toads, whose toxins are too much for its endocrine system. March 21, 2007 Two Eastern Hog-Nosed Snakes, Mating Southwest Montgomery, Tx Jerry My dog found these two snakes [THE SNAKES] this evening, they did not bite as they are mating, I think. I cannot recall ever seeing this kind before. We did not kill them as we thought they might be harmless or even King snakes.. any help will be appreciated. We live in Southwest Montgomery, Texas. Barb and Don Barb & Don March 20, 2007 Unknown Juvenile in the Houston area Hello, Jerry: I have been reading your site on snakes and have found the information helpful. I have encountered what I think is a juvenile snake on my driveway twice since Sunday. I do not believe it is venomous from the information you have given but I cannot find detailed information in the color changes from young to older snakes. The snake is only 6-8 inches long and very slender (about the size of a standard pencil) When I found it today, it had been hiding under a plastic recycle bin kept on my driveway. The snake is pink and terra cotta in color. It appears to have stripes running the length of its body but I did not have the thought to take a picture. Maybe next time. I believe from your description it may be a rat snake . The head is somewhat triangular and definitely appears shiny. Also, the first time when I met the snake, I tried to gently use a broom to encourage it to slither away. It tends to want to stay still and holds it head up about 2-3 inches off the ground like it is looking around. When I uncovered it today it did the same thing. It does not want to retreat quickly like the area geckos and lizards. Again, sorry I have no picture. Maybe I will see it again. Do you have any thoughts? René B. -----------------------
René
Since you
didn't say it looked like a worm, it probably isn't a blind snake
(the blind snakes in Texas are pink, and some appear to have
longitudinal stripes, but all are typically mistaken for earthworms
the first time they are seen). You didn't mention a sulfur-yellow
tail, which juvenile copperheads and western cottonmouths have, so
it probably isn't one of those (their juveniles are otherwise pink
in color, with obscure markings, at the stage of development you
mention), and I presume it has a tapered, pointed tail, without the
button that a rattlesnake juvenile would have. If by triangular
head you mean the jaws are wider than the neck, it isn't an
amelanistic (colorless) coral snake, since that species has a head
that is no wider than the neck.
All that seems
to indicate the snake is not poisonous. Without a photo, it would
be impossible to identify it beyond that, so I am looking forward to
your soon-to-be-provided photograph of this little fellow. It
could very well be, as you suggest, a rat snake, though at this
stage in development the markings on the rat snake are very
prominent and tend to have a gray background with darker gray
splotches, rather than stripes. Two exceptions are (1) the
Baird's rat snake (Elaphe bairdi), whose background color is often
pinkish and on which is imprinted a series of faint to dark
longitudinal stripes, and (2) the Trans-Pecos rat snake, which isn't
native to your area.
Several of our non-poisonous snakes tend to travel erect, with their heads high in the air as you describe this one doing. Among them are the racers (in the genus Coluber), and the coachwhips and whipsnakes (both in the genus Masticophis). The western coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum testaceus) has a reddish color phase, like you describe in the snake you are seeing, but all--and especially the whipsnakes--have unusually large eyes that you would probably have mentioned if you noticed them.
Thanks for your
report. I presume, from your telephone number, that this took place
in the Houston area. Let me know if that is incorrect.
Your Birthcare
website is very well done, by the way.
Jerry
March 20, 2007 Diamond-backed Water Snake (Juvenile)
I have no idea and can't figure it out from your keys - probably
because I am so upset! I went out to put my car in the garage and
yes it was dark (did not turn on the light) and thought I saw
something move - well felt something [THE
SNAKE]
move
After all the screaming and drama, my husband came and tried to chop
it with my kitchen knife - I'm buying a new set tomorrow!
I know you are busy - but I got to know - I know the mama and papa
are out there waiting for me! Johjania N. ---------------------- Johjania
Rest easy, my friend. Your
snake is a diamond-backed water snake (Nerodia rhombifer
rhombifer), which is harmless and beneficial. No other snake has
those markings.
It is an aggressive snake,
because it has to be in order to survive as a predator of toads
and frogs, but it (and its mama and papa) cannot hurt you (at
least not seriously; the bites of the mature diamond-backed
water snake can be painful and bloody, but are othewise
inconsequential).
Pray tell, where did this
carnage take place? City and state will suffice.
Jerry
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