Today, as I was passing by the front door, something moving outside caught my attention. Patrick went to investigate.

Slithering across the ground, along the front of our house, was this black rat snake. I'm not certain, but I think he was almost as long as the house! Okay, not really, but he was roughly as long as Patrick is tall, which we know because...well, I'll save that for later.

Patrick followed this guy as he came out from under the bay window...

...and slithered out into the open where you can see how long he really is.

He is easily the largest snake I have ever seen outside of a zoo, aquarium, or tank, so I am saddened to learn (creeped out may be more accurate) that rat snakes have an excellent climbing ability. I suppose it helps a little that they are not venomous.

Patrick asked if he could try to catch the critter so I said it was okay...the snake didn't seem too interested in being caught, but I have watched Patrick and he knows his tolerance and abilities (doesn't mind being coiled around, but not such a fan of being bitten) so I figured he could go for it.

Patrick made a valiant effort and looked very "Jeff Corwin", but the snake was really not interested in entertaining us.

As he made one last dash for the forest, the snake lunged at Patrick in a move I have never seen a snake do before (and I have watched countless hours of snake stuff on television so I can say I've seen more than my fair share of snake behaviors). Without coiling or retracting in any way, that snake...grandparents, divert your eyes...

lunged at Patrick and raised himself high enough off the ground to look Patrick square in the eyes.
The snake was completely airborne when Patrick jumped back and yelled out in surprise.
I, however, was the picture of calmness as I...oh, who am I kidding?
I jumped, too, although I did manage to snap this last picture of the snake's tail as he left the ground.
With that, the snake slithered quickly to the forest and Patrick and I ran to the office to download the pictures!

July 29, 2010