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Post by ~summer~ on Jul 23, 2016 6:13:19 GMT
I was on one of my hikes today and this snake and I scared the crap out of each other - I'm used to seeing snakes but they don't usually look like this -- and this one curled up and hissed at me -- no rattle but wondering if it was a rattle snake?  A couple more pics from my hike -- I usually try to go 3-5 miles after dinner but before dark...   |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 23, 2016 11:53:46 GMT
I'm not a snake expert, and I don't know where you live, but I did grow up in an area that had rattlesnakes. At first I assumed it was just a black rat snake, but after enlarging/zooming in on your picture, it looks like the snake is not black and does have markings. The pattern, though dull and hard to see from this view, could be that of a rattlesnake even though you didn't hear a rattle, but it is hard to tell from the picture. Not sure how close you got, but I hope you just used a zoom to get the photo. The fact that he curled up like this when he saw you means you were closer than he wanted, and the hiss was definitely a warning.
Glad you weren't bitten. Even non-poisonous snakes may bite if threatened, and it would still hurt, but a bite from a rattlesnake can be bad, specially if you hike 3 to 5 miles alone. It might be wise to be prepared in case of a rattlesnake bite for future hikes, just in case.
Nice photos of the view!
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,760
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jul 23, 2016 11:57:50 GMT
Quick question, why did you hang around long enough to take a photo??!  |
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Post by gailoh on Jul 23, 2016 12:07:37 GMT
I would be so out of there...  |
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Post by anonrefugee on Jul 23, 2016 12:11:03 GMT
He's a sturdy one! I can't zoom enough on my phone to tell his head shape, it looks like it might be triangular, but hard to tell. They can have broken rattles.
It's a beautiful area to walk.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jul 23, 2016 12:32:16 GMT
My guess is a bull snake:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullsnake
They will curl like a rattle snake.
Not an expert but grew up with bull snakes and rattle snakes. Kill the rattler, keep the bull.
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Post by librarylady on Jul 23, 2016 12:41:20 GMT
I would use his head and body shape to identify, and your photo does not allow me to do so.
Triangular shaped head = poisonous
narrow neck = poisonous
long tapered body = safe snake
rather short tail = poisonous
If you had your location in the post, it might help us.
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Post by hop2 on Jul 23, 2016 12:44:30 GMT
I can't tell for sure from that picture. Nothing to rule out a rattle snake. Go back and take a closer picture,   not! |
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
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Post by happymomma on Jul 23, 2016 13:04:44 GMT
This is one of those instances where we'd love if your location was in your avatar area, lol.
So, where do you live? It's tough to tell from that pic, to me, but I can identify it as SCARY!
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oaksong
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Location: LA Suburbia
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Jul 23, 2016 13:29:01 GMT
Beautiful pictures of your hike!
Looks like a rattlesnake to me. I can see some faint diamond markings on its back, and the head has large jaws and a thin neck. Typical in California, which is where I think you are. They are out in droves right now with the heat.
My mom stepped on one on her patio 2 nights ago. She's lucky it didn't bite her! It was right up against her patio door, trying to get cool. The officer said this one is about 1-year old, just a little one. Here is a picture I took. The markings are pretty different than yours, but I think they vary depending on the area. They adapt to blend in.
(Photos removed)
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YooHoot
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by YooHoot on Jul 23, 2016 13:29:56 GMT
That's called a "gettheeffoutoftherefast" snake.
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Deleted
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May 3, 2024 11:59:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2016 14:10:09 GMT
It's possible, but I think it's more likely to be a gopher snake. There are rattlers in your area but they are pretty darn shy and are rarely out in the open like that. Plus its body just doesn't look heavy enough. But, it's hard to tell for sure either way from that picture. Rattlers are poisonous, but are also not aggressive. Walk away and you're fine. A rattlesnake most likely just would have hauled it out of there to get away from you as quickly as possible. www.sfbaywildlife.info/species/reptiles.htm#snakes |
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Post by ~summer~ on Jul 23, 2016 16:13:50 GMT
I posted it on iNaturalist and so far someone says it is a northern pacific rattlesnake....
Usually I see things pretty well in the trail but this one and I startled each other and he curled up and hissed. I was about 15 feet away when I took the photo (I think, maybe more I can't really remember...) and this is in Briones Regional Park in the Bay Area.
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not!
