It looked like there was a snake crawling into my car barn.
It turned out to be a young corn snake or red rat snake (
Pantherophis guttatus guttatus). (Yes, I learned the genus as
Elaphe, also, but apparently it has been changed.) He wasn't moving.
It appears he was crushed by the door. Here's what I think happened: the crack he tried to enter by is very small and the door is very heavy. It was a windy day and I think the door shifted just enough to crush him. Snakes are delicate animals. The ribs are thin and they have only one lung, an adaptation to their geometry. Ribs can easily be broken and penetrate the lung, which results in death. This poor fellow needed a slightly larger opening.
The death is regrettable because these are valuable snakes. They eat mice and living here in the woods we have an abundance. The mice are forever invading our cars. Lift the hood (for our British friends, that's where we keep the motor) and you're likely to find a cache of acorns and the beginnings of a nest. One even made it into the heating/air conditioning ducts on one car and completely clogged it. A few rat snakes in the barn and that problem would be minimized. Besides, I think these corn snakes are attractive.
What a shame! We don't have many snakes here but I have always loved them and did SO want a snake as a child!( I did have a slow worm for a while...) Jane xx
ReplyDeleteThe name "slow worm" didn't register, so I had to look them up. We don't have them here, but I did vaguely remember them after seeing the information.
DeleteWe have the same problem with mice in vehicles. But we have few snakes. They seem to pass on by.
ReplyDeleteOh, too bad! What a surprise!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a volunteer at the museum in Charleston SC I was charged with showing 2nd graders an appreciation for snakes...which I did not feel, myself! By no means! To demonstrate the harmlessness and attractiveness of snakes I was to hold one in my hand and let the students touch the snake. The specimen I held in my hand was a baby cornsnake. it was gentle, shy, and easy to hold. Not being a snake person, I've been forever grateful to that tiny, cooperative snake as I struggled to pretend no fear!
Elora
We have a similar story, Elora. When we met, my wife was teaching 3rd grade and I was teaching biology in the same district. I had two Hognose snakes, which have to be the most gentle snakes ever. I took them to her class, gave my "good snake" talk, and then passed them around so each kid could hold one. My wife-to-be was plastered against the rear wall of the class room. When the first snake reached the back of the room, the last child to hold it looked around, and gave it to his teacher! She survived, and married me anyway.
DeleteIt's a shame about your corn snake. Your guess about what happened to it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI would so like to agree but snakes, even dead ones, freak me out! Thankfully the few species we have here don't live in Saltaire!
ReplyDeleteThat was a bad thing to happen to the poor little snake. But, like some of the others, I do not care too much for them, either.
ReplyDelete