Yellow Rat Snake

 The Yellow Rat Snake is a popular choice for people that want snakes as pets. It is not so demanding, it makes little mess and he is also not pretentious when it comes to feeding. On the other hand, you will have to know how to identify this snake. Although those snakes are not venomous, they could get aggressive. It is also hard to identify a snake of this kind, as the Yellow Rat Snake looks like other common snakes. However, it is worth searching, as your pet will look beautiful in that aquarium.

The Yellow Rat Snake is a common snake in America, so you could find it easily. However, finding its habitat is harder, as they prefer the deep forests and the quiet rocks where they could bathe in the sun.



The rat snake also likes the vicinity of farms and barns. As its name says, the rat snake loves to feed with rats and mice. In fact, the most experienced farmers like to have at least one of those snakes around, as it will substantially diminish the populations of rodents.

If you know the black rat snake, it will be easy to identify the Yellow Rat Snake also. It has the same shape, and the only difference is the color and the size. While the black rat snake is one of the largest non-venomous snakes in USA, the yellow cousin of this snake is a part of the medium sized category of snakes.



Although the name implies the yellow color, this kind of rat snake can also have other nuances, such as brown and sometimes even some green reflexes. They have four distinctive lines along their body, and usually those lines have a black color. Your Yellow Rat Snake will change its skin several times, so it will change its color as long as you own it. This is maybe the main reason for this snake to be preferred as a pet.

No matter what color your snake has, the eyes have the same color as the body. There are also controversies about the taxonomy of this snake, as some specialists say that the Yellow Rat Snake is not related with the black rat, and it is more like a pine snake. Indeed, there are some resembling aspects between the yellow snake and the pine snake, but science proved that the yellow and black snakes are related and a part of the same family of snakes called the quadrivittata. 



The Yellow Rat Snake needs a large aquarium of 5 feet or more length and with a height of 3.5 feet. The snake likes to climb those branches and to rest on the plain surface. You can use sand, rocks, and even leafs, but make sure the surface is not too moist. Even if the snake likes the humid environment, it is the perfect place for bacteria, and your pet might get sick. Water must also be present in the aquarium, but make sure the drinking water is placed far from the place where the snake likes to bathe.

What are blind snakes?

Although this seems like a simple question, what are blind snakes has different answers. The blind snakes are not blind, as their eyes are only protected from ants by a thin layer of skin. Being cold-blooded reptiles, the blind snakes are able to detect any warm-blooded animal around them. They are non-venomous snakes with shiny and slippery scales. The question what are blind snakes is entitled, as sometimes those snakes can be mistaken with a dangerous poisonous snake.

shape of the body

The blind snakes can be recognized by their long heads, long round bodies and the short tail with only one row of plates. However, the best method to distinguish a poisonous snake from a harmful one is to look at their eyes. The venomous snakes have vertical pupils, while the other species have horizontal ones.

Feeding

The blind snakes hunt mainly in the night, and some of them are also great climbers, being able to hunt asleep birds in the trees. Usually, the blind snakes are small, so they would rather hunt termites and roaches, but some larger species can go for small birds and rats. The majority of them have the behavior of earthworms, hiding in the earth and running from fights with larger enemies. They are also able to use the termite galleries, so they can go from one place to another in a short period.

Mating

The blind snakes reproduce by laying eggs. The maximum length of a blind snake is 40 centimeters, and they can be found in South America and Southwest Asia. More than 300 different species were found, but it is believed that more species can be found in the depths of the Amazonian forest. The blind snakes are not so careful with their eggs, so only 10 % will hatch. The eggs are the perfect food for rats and small birds, and the blind snake is not so great at camouflaging a nest.
    
Distribution

The blind snake is an endangered specie in many parts of the world. It can be found practically everywhere, but the majority of habitats are compromised or destroyed. With the deforestation of the Amazonian forest, it is estimated that more than 100 species of blind snakes disappeared.



The blind snake likes to hunt after the rain when the insects come out of the ground. The blind snakes are not blind, but they are sensitive to light. Usually, they have a uniform black color, but the nuances might also be of green and yellow. They also have a slippery appearance that makes people to confuse them with worms. There are no venomous species of blind snakes, and they are also useful for gardens, preventing the termite’s invasions. The bigger species are useful for barns and shelters, as those blind snakes have a huge appetite for mice and locusts. In some parts of Asia, they are considered an exclusive food that can only be found in the 5-star restaurants. 

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Rat Snakes As Pets

Timber Rattlesnake

Lancehead Viper North America

How Big Can Garden Snakes Get

Eastern Timber Rattlesnake 

Common Snakes In Kentucky 

Are Garter Snakes Dangerous

Poisoning Snakes: Our Unjustified Fear

Burmese Python Interesting Animal Facts

Rat Snakes As Pets

The black rat snake is one of the largest American snakes, and also the largest non-venomous snake in Kentucky, being also great as a pet. The snake can have different colors, going from brown to black and sometimes yellow nuances. The snake is mostly recognized by the shape of its body, as it has light colored areas that can be easily observed in the sunlight. On the belly, the rat snake has a white to yellow color, and the bark saddles on the back are extended to the back of the tail.



The rat snake likes to climb, so you will need at least one branch in the aquarium, but also rocks, huge stones and a cave for the snake to hide. The natural habitat is the vicinity of farms and barns where the rat snake can feed with mice and other small animals. Before purchasing of catching a rat snake as pet, make sure you have food of this kind to provide.



Besides the common black rat snake, you can also think about the corn snake that is also called the red rat snake. However, this animal can only be found in the central part of the state and in the eastern side, and it is also endangered specie. The red rat snake is also a climber, but he also likes to dig underground searching for mice and other rodents. An aquarium of the red rat snake must be half covered with soil, and you should also build some tunnels. Make a secured whole in the aquarium and introduce the mice directly in the ground. Don’t worry, as the snake will easily find it.



You can also let the rat snake out of its cage from now and then, but be careful, as if you step on his tail, he can become aggressive. The rat snake is usually a lazy animal sitting around his cage and waiting for food all day long. Take it out in the sun whenever you have the possibility, and don’t leave it with your kids. Although the rat snake is not aggressive, it can harm your kids in case it feels threatened.

Other Kentucky snakes are suited for being pets, but people prefer the rat black snake because of its aspect and beautiful colors.

Lancehead Viper North America

The lancehead viper North America is considered a part of the pit-viper family that lives in the Northern part of South America, Central America and also the Southern part of the United States. It is also called the “ultimate viper”, as it is commonly known as one of the aggressive species of poisonous snakes. Moreover, their habitats are placed near human agglomeration, making the people vulnerable to their attacks. Because they are hunted merciless, the species is about to disappear from North America.

You can’t differentiate the lancehead viper North America male from the female in the first months of their lives. The female starts growing faster after the seventh month of her life, reaching an average length of 2.5 meters. The males will have a maximum length of 2 meters. The biggest lancehead viper North America weights over 7 kilograms, but legends speak about bigger and longer lancehead vipers.

The colors resemble with the ones of the common vipers, with combinations of stripes and diamonds on the back and with a white to yellow belly.

The lancehead viper is clearly a snake with origins in South America, but it expanded with the development of transportation and industrialization. The lancehead viper North America has a great adaptability, and the vipers brought accidentally with trains and goods transporters were able to adjust quickly to the new environment. However, the lancehead viper from North America developed some unique characteristics during the last 200 years.


The lancehead viper North America has an aggressive behavior, a large habitat and the ability to travel a lot searching for new hunting grounds. They like the semi-populated areas, and the deserts. This snake is also one of the fewest that is able to attack from an uncoiled position. Its strike is deadly and smart: it tends to go past you and to slide quickly to bite from behind.

The lancehead viper stops eating after a few days of pregnancy, and it has several mating seasons over a year. The female will start hunting immediately after giving birth, and the male guards the babies during this period.

The lancehead viper is one of the deadliest snakes in North America, and only the Crotalus is considered more dangerous. The lancehead is responsible for 50 % of snakebites registered in the South side of United States, with a fatality factor of 10 % in 1950. However, with the antivenin solutions of the modern hospitals, the fatality percentage is close to 0.

The lancehead viper North America is easily irritated by any threatening presence in its range. It is one of the fewest snakes in North America that prefers to fight instead of running, as it considers its habitat important. It is also unpredictable, as it lacks the commonly known attack patterns of other poisonous species.

The symptoms of a bite are nausea, pains, swelling and vomits for 36 hours if the wound is untreated. In the majority of deaths caused by the lancehead viper, septicemia was to diagnostic. The lancehead viper can also be mistaken with other species of non-poisonous snakes, making it even more dangerous.

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How Big Can Garden Snakes Get

The garden snake is common in the state of Kentucky, and you can hear many local legends about oversized poisonous snakes. While the majority of them are not true, the question How Big Can Garden Snakes Get remains. Let’s try to answer to that question.

How Big Can Garden Snakes Get: the Black Rat Snake
 
The Back Rat Snake can be found near barns and in the backyards, as even if this is a harmless snake for humans, it likes to feed on mice and rats. This snake can easily reach the length of 72 inches, although snakes from this specie with a length of 100 inches and more were found. It is also the biggest snake that can be found in the state, and it also makes a great pet.

Milk Snake

One of the most common garden snakes found in the Kentucky backyards is the milk snake. In fact, its name comes from a legend claiming that this snake is able to suck milk from cows. While this is only a legend, the milk snake is a common appearance in barns and cellars because of the huge appetite of this snake for mice. The smallest milk snakes have a length of 6 inches, and the mature exemplars could reach 36 inches. Some people claim that they have seen milk snakes with a length of 100 inches, but as we are talking about a “legendary” snake, we can’t consider this as a suited answer for the question How Big Can Garden Snakes Get.

Eastern Garter Snake

The Eastern Garter Snake is a relatively small reptile that can be found in the urban areas. It is a small specie with a minimum length of 5 inches, and with a maximum of 26. This is one of the most common species of snakes, as it adapts well to the urban environment, and it can be commonly found in the backyards of the town houses.

Smooth Earth Snake

While the Black Rat Snake could grow to a length of 100 inches, the Smooth Earth Snake would never have more than 10. It is the smallest snake that you can find in the garden, and it is also a harmless one. It can easily be mistaken with an earthworm, but its characteristics make it a snake.

The Southeastern Crowned Snake

The Southeastern Crowned Snake is also a small specie that could easily adapt to any kind of environment. Besides the forests and the rocky areas, this snake can also be found in the backyards, so it can be considered a garden snake. This specie can also grow at a length of maximum 10 inches.  
As you can see, the answer to the question How Big Can Garden Snakes Get is different. While the smallest garden snakes could have 5 inches or less, the biggest exemplars of the black rat snake could easily go over 100 inches. The venomous snakes can also reach impressive sizes, but those are not garden snakes, so they are not the subjects of this debate.    

Kentucky Most Poisonous Snakes

Snakes are the most common animals in Kentucky, and despite the common reputation, they are beneficial for the environment. On the other hand, the fear of people and the increased environmental problems reduced the populations of snakes dramatically, and even if Kentucky is still a state where snakes can leave peacefully, some species might disappear in the future.

There are more than 30 snake species in Kentucky, and only 4 of them are poisonous. Moreover, the majority of them live in non-populated areas, like the deep forests and the rocky and sunny areas. this is why accidents rarely happen. However, you must be able to identify the poisonous snakes when you see them.

All the venomous snakes from Kentucky are a part of the Viperidae family, commonly known as vipers. We are talking about the Copperhead, the western Cottonmouth, the Timber Rattlesnake and western Pigmy Rattlesnake. The majority of them are non-aggressive, and they prefer to hide from humans. you can easily distinguish them because of their vertical pupils, and also because of the scale at the top of the tale that is placed on only one row.

Don’t use the vibrating tail as a method to identify a poisonous snake. Some non-poisonous species also have this ability, and many non-venomous species are extinguished because people confused them.

Don’t touch a venomous snake even if it is dead. The body can have a bite reflex, and the bite is also poisonous. The snakes will never attack you unless provoked or harassed. The best idea when you see a snake of this kind is to leave it alone.

The best method to treat a bite of a poisonous snake is to prevent it. leaving the jokes behind, if you are close to a hospital, you should go there immediately. Cutting the wounded area, sucking the venom or electric shocks were proven as ineffective, and the anti-venom serum is the only demonstrated cure for this problem.

The Copperhead is usually mistaken with other species of non-venomous snakes. The best method to identify a snake of this specie is to look at the chestnut cross bands that have the shape of a bow.

The western Cottonmouth is a common dark colored snake that looks like the copperhead when he is young. It has no margins and a single color, making it hard to identify. The water snakes looking the same will quickly hide in the water when approached, while the cottonmouth will take a defensive stance. In fact, this is the best method to identify the cottonmouth, as it is the only aggressive poisonous snake.

The rattlesnakes are also poisonous, but unlike the cottonmouth, this snake hides when approached. However, this is the largest snake from this family, and this is why people fear it the most. The Rattlesnake gains one rattle each time they change the skin, but the rattles might fall, so it is not an accurate method to determine the age of a rattlesnake by counting them. the other snakes from Kentucky are not poisonous, and they are a part of the family Colubridae. 
 

Common Snakes In Kentucky

Snakes are common in the state of Kentucky, and considering the great climate and the fauna and flora, the state is ideal for those animals. The common snakes in Kentucky have different sizes, characteristics and habits, and they are also the subject of local urban legends and stories. The smallest Kentucky snake has 7 inches, being more like a worm than a snake, but you can also find the impressive black rat snake with length of 6 feet or more.

While the majority of people are scared about those snakes, considering them as dangerous animals, the passionate researchers and animal lovers are fascinated about them. Some of the species are great pets, and people prefer the size and beauty of the rat snake usually. However, read some details about feeding and taking care of the snake pets, as they are different from any other animals.

The people are also attracted about the snakes’ great combination of colors, about the adaptability of them and also about their capacity to survive in hostile environments. You can find snakes practically anywhere in the state of Kentucky, from the backyards of town houses to the deep forests and rocky areas. Only 4 species are venomous, and the majority of common snakes in Kentucky are not even aggressive. However, every local in Kentucky must be able to differentiate the venomous snakes from the harmless ones.

The copperhead is a venomous snake, and it is also hard to differentiate it from the common snakes in Kentucky. However, the model on the back of this snake can be easily detected, as it has a bow shape with narrow stripes on the edges.

The cottonmouth is another poisonous snake that is feared by people, and it is also the most aggressive of the venomous species.

The timber rattlesnake is the most common venomous snake, but you can hardly see it in the urban areas. It prefers the solitude of the rocky areas and the deep forests, it also likes to hide instead of fighting, and this is why attacks of the rattlesnake are rarely reported.

Another one of the common snakes in Kentucky that is also the preferred pet for snake lovers is the black rat. This snake can easily reach a length of 6 feet, and it is also beneficial for farms, being a known enemy of rats and other small animals around your home.

The prairie kingsnake can be found in the fields of the western Kentucky, preferring the prairies and grasslands. It feeds with birds and small animals, and it is also non-poisonous.

The milk snake takes its name from a legend saying it is able of sucking milk from cows. However, the snake will never be capable of doing so, and it is also known as a hidden snake. You can find it in the vicinity of barns, but this is only because this snake likes to feed with mice and rats.
The garter snake is a relatively small snake that can be found in all the areas of Kentucky, including urban agglomerations. It is a non-poisonous snake, although it bites when attacked, and it also releases a liquid that resembles with venom.

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Brahminy Blind Snake

Brahminy Blind Snake

The Brahminy Blind Snake doesn’t have the common characteristics of the average snake living on the territory of the United States, and this is why it is supposed it was brought accidentally from other countries two or three centuries ago.

The common American name is the Flower Pot Snake. It has a length of 4-6 inches. The female usually lays the eggs during the late spring, and the babies have two inches at most after hatching. This is why it is considered a reptile of the small snake’s family. A curiosity about this species is that it has no males, and the eggs are created trough cell division once a year. The female lays 2-8 eggs a year. Being a small snake, it feeds with insects with a soft body that can be easily digested. From this point of view, it is really useful for farms and crops, as it is known that the Brahminy Blind Snake eats a huge quantity of insects every day.

The snake can be easily confused with a worm because of its small appearance and dark color. It has a dark brown color with light reflexes. However, this is a huge disadvantage, as the Brahminy Blind Snake can be easily observed by birds and other predators. It is also a prey for other snakes, and because of its slow reproducing process, it might become an endangered specie in the future.

Some specialists might consider the Brahminy Blind Snake as a part of the earthworm family. However, the earthworms have their body segmented, while this snake is different. This is the most important difference that makes Brahminy a snake, not an earthworm. Moreover, this snake is not able to increase the length of its body, and this is another noticeable difference. Brahminy also has a spur at the top of the tail.

The Brahminy Blind Snake is one of the smallest snakes in USA and also one of the smallest snakes in the world. The snake lives in South Asia, but it can be found in different areas of the world, being brought there during the industrial and transportation revolution. Of course, it has an incredible adaptability, as you can find this specie of snake from the northern areas of USA to the tropical areas of Asia.

However, we can’t talk about a constant population in USA. The snake was reported in some areas, but we are talking about single exemplars. There are some people interested of breeding this snake in USA, considering its usefulness for agriculture purposes.

The snake can be found in urban and rural areas of USA, and it has no preferences about a certain type of habitat. Considering its feeding preferences, the Brahminy Blind Snake can adapt practically everywhere.

Just as any other subtropical small snake, the Brahminy Blind Snake lives underground, but also in rotten wood and other warm places. During the winter, the snake will rarely get out of its shelter. This snake also likes the fresh dug soil, so you might find it in your backyard or in your garden.

Are Garter Snakes Dangerous

The Garter Snake is a part of the small snake’s families, being a common snake in Kentucky. It has three yellow stripes on the back, with varied colors. however, its shape and the combination of colors are unique, so you will be able to recognize a snake of this kind. The stripes might have other colors also, and they could also miss completely. in this case, they are replaced with some spots of a dark yellow or brown. Those dark spots can also be found on the belly of the garter snake, and they usually have a light green or a yellow color.

The garter snake is a common snake in the urban areas, and this is why people developed a fascination for it. it is understandable: as long as you see a snake around your house, you might wonder if it is dangerous.

Good news, the garter snake is not poisonous, but it releases a smelly musk if threatened, and some people might find it offensive. In some rare cases, allergies to this musk were reported, so you might check yourself about this matter if you are living in a Kentucky area where this snake is common.

the legends about the garter snake being dangerous appeared because of its resemblance with the copperhead, which is a venomous snake living approximate in the same areas. however, the simplest method to identify a non-poisonous snake is to look at its eyes. The garter snake has horizontal pupils, while all the poisonous snakes have a vertical pupil.

While the garter snake is harmless and sometimes even beneficial, especially for farms where the snakes kill a large number of rats and mice, some people might not want them around. while the deterrents and naphthalene were used commonly to eliminate the snakes, those substances might be harmful for the environment and for you. This is why you should get rid of the garter snake by making the environment less friendly. Eliminate all the piles where they could hide. It is not a guaranteed method, but it will surely decrease the number of snakes on your yard. the snakes might hide in the basement or in the cellar, although the cold dark places are not so comfortable for them. it is also a good idea to cover all the wholes larger than ¼ inch. This way, the snakes will not be able to get in.

The average length of the garter snake is 4 to 26 inches, but the majority of adults have about 20 inches. This is the main difference from the copperhead that could easily reach 42 inches. Look for the shape of the head. All the poisonous snakes have a resembling head with the venom bags placed on the sides, while the non-poisonous spices have a sharp head and usually a slippery aspect. if you want to be certain about a snake, look at its tail. The anal plate is continued on one row to the top of the tail for the venomous snake, while the other species will only have one row. 

Poisoning Snakes: Our Unjustified Fear

From the 3000 species of snakes that we know today, 500 of them are considered poisonous species. Moreover, even the snakes that are considered harmful could have some poisoning substances in their saliva, but they don’t have the right teeth for the venin to be concentrated. This is why it can’t enter the organism of the “victims”

Yes, it is true that snakes can be very dangerous, but I want to convince you through this article that we should not be so afraid of those. We don’t like snakes because they are not the most beautiful animals in the world, but this does not mean that they are not useful. I had the chance to live in an area with many snakes, and even if I learned how to stay away from their poisonous bites, I also learned that snakes are really useful for nature, and beautiful to observe in nature.


The bites of poisonous snakes can be dangerous. Those can paralyze or accelerate the heart beats, and they can also affect the entire circulation of the blood. The water snakes that live in seas also have a venin that attacks the central nervous system.

How should you avoid those? The snakes like to stay on rocks during the sunny days, and usually, they are in a dormant state when they do so. The snakes can rarely be found on the pathways of humans. You can also find those in holes of trees, in bushes, and in underground galleries. The simple method to avoid snakes is to walk only on pathways, and if you see one, you should leave it alone. I did that for quite a while, and I managed not only to stay alive, but also to like those incredible beings.

Another thing you should know is the first help in case of a snake bite. I know it like poetry, as even if you stay away from snakes, you might always suffer an accident. The snakes only attack when they feel danger. Here is my “battle plan” with a snake, a battle plan that you can also follow:

- take the threatening behavior of the snake seriously. Snorting, agitating and lifting the front side of the body is a sign that the snake does not like something, and that something is probably you. I usually go away as far as possible!

- when I am walking around the forest, I walk fast, with decided steps. The snakes can’t hear, but they can feel the vibration of the earth, and the majority of them run if they have the possibility.

- I always have a flash light during the night. The nocturnal snakes are the most dangerous ones, but they also run away when something is not in order. I always check the pathway with the flashlight, as well as the bushes near the road. A snake will definitely run when you put the beam of a flash light directly on it.

- Never touch a snake, even if you assume that it is dead! The closest experience to being bite by a snake was when I thought that I found a dead snake. They have incredible reflexes, and they can bite even hours after dying. Just imagine being bite by a dead snake! The bite is just as deadly, but getting over the dramatic aspect, you can’t refrain from observing the irony in this.

Burmese Python Interesting Animal Facts

The Burmese python is an animal that falls into the category of reptiles. This is a kind of snake that is known for its large size. These snakes can grow anywhere between 16 and 23 feet long. If you take the time to think about it, this means that their length is more than twice the size of an average human. The Burmese python is considered to be a constrictor. This means that when it is hunting, it will kill their prey by squeezing it until it dies. It will then eat the prey that it has caught. Typically, these animals live as solitary creatures.