Cool Critters

[JTSpeedDemon]

I just remembered today how much I love nature, specifically the little critters out in it, so I figured I'd start this thread for people to post about cool critters they find(with pics!), and just generally talk about them.

I'll start!

I found this little snake while I was out raking leaves to earn money. I saw it thrashing around on the ground, I think my rake clipped off the tip of its tail. After a little bit, it stopped bleeding, and by then it was in my hand. Just a little itty-bitty thing! Probably about 6 inches long!
I love reptiles and snakes are a particular favorite of mine, so I was really fascinated!
It was cool to see its tongue flick in and out, and see it slither about. After a little while I set it down on the ground to turn it loose so I could get back to work.
I kept coming back to see if it was doing anything, and when it started slithering away, I managed to get a nice clear video of it!!

Snakes are cool!

EDIT - Ah! It's a Striated Viper!(not a true viper, it's a colubrid), more commonly known as a Rough Earth Snake, but I like Striated Viper better.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldea_striatula

 

[J.S.@SMS]

Here's one. This gopher turtle has lived on, or I should say under, our property for a year or two now. It usually stays in our western field (about 2-3 acres), but on this day it made the 300ft journey to the east side of our house, where we keep out cars parked. And no, no one ran it over.
Here's a pic of just him.

Here he is in front of my Buick (it was crashed when I got it, and the passenger side is much worse).

And occasionally we find one of these camo lizards on one of our trees.

 

[Texan]

Here is a couple of snakes I've come across in the yard...

Coachwhip, must've been at least 6 feet long That one was the biggest I've seen. These suckers are fast too, good thing they are usually high tailing away from you instead of at you!





Cobra in Texas??? Of course not, just an imitator, Eastern Hognose. Aggressive plump little fella too. This one tried striking at me a few times along with hissing and snorting.

 

[J.S.@SMS]

Last time I saw a snake it was a 5 ish maybe 6 foot rattler that was in the scrap wood pile from when we built our garage. Needless to say that there's no contest between a snake and a shovel.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Yeah I love snakes, but I'd prefer to have a little room between me and the dangerous ones. The harmless ones like the one I found today on the other hand, I love 'em!
Yeah I've heard those Hognoses are aggressive.

Last year at Scout camp, when I was on the Wilderness Survival campout with some other boys, at one point we found a COPPERHEAD in one of the other boys' shelters! Thank goodness the staffers could take care of it! It was just coiled up so peacefully in there.......

---------- Post added at 04:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:16 PM ----------

We Texans like our trees with snakes in 'em!