Jake The Snake

In our yard, we have several wonderful animals. Some not so wonderful animals... The squirrels around the yard have banned together and made a penthouse suite out of our crawlspace. These guys started the "moving in" by peeing on all of my patio furniture AFTER chewing through the screen. I hand scrubbed every cushion several times until my OCD did not smell or itch from the now intruding outdoor inhabitant.

So now they frolic in the attic at 6:30 am every day. I have contacted someone to catch the bastards and take them away. They are eating my garden, they have peed on my furniture and only knows what is going on in the attic.

Now the wonderful animals would be the lizards, the butterflies, the owl (which I almost got on film), and our dear friend Jake the Snake.

We have been in our house for two years now. When we purchased the house, the previous owner had warned me there was a black snake somewhere under the porch. In 15 years she had seen him once and with a dog, several cats and no problem, she allowed him to stay. As did I. Jake and I first met about a year ago. I came early and caught him having his afternoon sun. He was really into it because I almost stepped on him before realizing that HOLY SHIT this is a big black snake. I am from the midwest. We don't much care for snakes.

My second meeting with Jake was just last week. I reached over the edge of garden to pick a tomato and voila... there he was, right out from underneath me, hidden in a log. He scurried off into a bush and I let him be.

And today is our third meeting. This time, I decided to be the mean bitch with the broom and the hose. With a four year old and a dog, I need to know what you are. So... I grabbed the camera, the hose and a broom... and off I went. I know. This sounds extremely stupid, but I felt a bristly broom might resemble a porcupine and the hose was the only way I could "rear him up".

Here are the photos from my little backyard escapade. I have sent an email to a local "snake charmer" and we shall see if Jake can stay or if he has to go. Bummer if he goes too. Aside from the squirrels he didn't do so well with, I haven't seen other snakes or rodents.

I have narrowed him down... I think. In these parts, there are over 30 variety of snakes and here is what he falls into: He has uniform scales which mean they are all identical. No spots... they don't create rings, they are one solid color. He has a white chin and underbelly. He appears to be a Southern Black Racer. Also known as a non-venomous garden snake. I will still await the final word from the snake charmer... but I hope all is well and he forgives me for spraying him with the hose.

I waited him out... made sure he went back under the porch and now the kid is on her way out for her turn in the garden.