On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 21:16:57 -0400, "Scopata Fuori"
wrote:





Black snakes, in the US, are harmless, beneficial creatures. The only
exception I am aware of, are the notorious cottonmouth snakes, found near
water. Black snakes look scary, especially big ones, but just let them go
their way, and they will not bother you. They won't bother you, in fact,
unless you insist upon bothering them, and they are unable to escape any
other way.


Yes, this is why I like snakes. I thought maybe black snakes were
indigenous here because they were in northern VA where my grandfather
lived while I was growing up.

If I had black snakes, and they were eating vermin, I'd make sure to let
them have a nice safe place to hide, like the woodpile, so they wouldn't be
tempted to try to come in the house to nest.

We have a nice comfy woodpile, as I do not make many fires--too lazy,
save it for company!


Also, their presence tends to discourage copperheads, which *are* a bad
thing to have around.

You make me want to do some research on NC snakes. We have a nice
little science museum here that treats the topic quite well from what
I understand.




Scopata Fuori


ObRoses: Climbing Peace is throwing up vicious, 3/4" thick basals, but is
not blooming again. I think I will end up moving it, since the telephone
pole I was going to wrap it around really does need to be taken out.