[Journal] Snakes are hard to catch

August 14, 2007

But I caught one! :D

Don't worry, it was just a little grass snake... totally harmless. I actually tried to catch one once before, but it bit me and got away. It didn't hurt, though. Their teeth are so tiny that they can't even pierce human skin (it left two little pink marks).

This time, however, I managed to grab that little snake, and I didn't even get bitten in the process. Grass snakes are such a pretty shade of green. And you know what? The scales really feel nice!

Only disappointment with the outting was that there was also a bird, giving its rather loud, sharp-sounding call. I'd heard the call before, but never saw the bird. This time, I heard it again, not far away, but I still couldn't see it through the tree branches. This was while I had been having a staring contest with the snake, trying to find the right moment to grab it. So, I returned to watching the snake (while it watched me), when the bird suddenly took to wing and flew right over my head! Naturally, this would happen while I wasn't watching, right?

Well, I only got a glimpse of it as it swooped back into the trees on the other side of the yard. It was about the side of a robin (maybe slightly larger), with rusty-coloured primary feathers. I ran after it, but it kept flying deeper into the trees, until I lost track of it. I went back into the yard to look for the snake... and the bird started calling again. I swear they taunt me.... >_<

But, I finally caught the snake, so I felt good. XD I immediately took the snake inside to show to my mom. I tried to hold it as gently as possible, but kept squirming, of course, so it was a bit of a challenge. I kept wrapping itself around my wrist.

Mom thought it was "cute"... >_> I think snakes are cool, but I wouldn't have used the word cute.... ~_~ It was a very pretty colour, though. :) I just wish I could have gotten a photo.

I just felt the need to report all that. :D

Update, Aug. 15th: When out this morning, I found a snake skin partially hidden under the grass clippings left over from the last lawn-mowing. Thus, I now know why the snake was so bright and clean-looking. It had just shed its skin when I found it! ^_^

Later Update: It really was a robin... >_> I guess I've only seen them before now while they were hunting, and they naturally wouldn't sing right then, so I never knew what they sounded like. Go figure.

Journal
(( throw a pebble in the pond ))