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August 29, 2006

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So I was just walking along one day and suddenly became slightly startled by a six-foot bull snake that was stretched out across the ground. Now I know bull snakes are harmless so I proceeded to get a little closer so I could take a few pictures of it. All of the sudden it began to coil and I heard a loud rattle and jumped back. Very startled now, I thought to myself, "HEY! BULL SNAKES DON'T RATTLE!"
 Somewhat confused I carefully investigated a little more in depth and found that the snake was shaking it's tail. Directly under it's tail was two mesquite tree seed pods that were rattling together, duplicating  the very menacing, yet familiar, sound of a rattle snake. 
Re-assured that this was not a rattlesnake, I crouched and laid down onto the ground in front of it to get more pictures of this beautiful creature. It seemed somewhat curious of me so it decided to approach and investigate me, as you can see in this picture.
So, upon a little more close examination of me, I guess this snake did not particularly care for me as much as I had hoped for. Because it then abruptly stopped, opened it's mouth and began to hiss at me. The hiss was actually quite loud and eventually turned to somewhat of a growling hiss. Now, although I know that this snake is not poisonous or dangerous, they are very much like a black snake, by which I have been bitten, and I know that it does not feel good. So I got up off of the ground to get out of it's way. And rather quickly, I must say. 
I took a few more pictures and apparently aggravated my little friend a bit more as it decided to try it's striking skills. Although this was not a rattlesnake, it didn't seem to be aware of that fact. Or maybe it wanted me to think it was one. Either way, it's striking, hissing, and growling was quite intimidating, so I finally decided to give it some space and left it alone.

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