Found a black snake hanging out by a concrete downspout run off block. snake was
probably about 30" long with about a 1/2 inch head. Definitely a baby as they'll grow
up to 6 - 8 feet around here. He was either drinking or sunning himself on the concrete.

Anyway... chased him back into his hole under a shrub.... ... trying to figure a few
things out.... like WHY is he here...

I had a few field mice in the house, killled about 6 of them using traps and just
threw the bodies under a few bushes in front. They disappeared overnight,
however I thought snakes won't eat anything that's already dead. Wondering
if that's what attracted him.

Have rabbits and doves in the garage...in raised cages...several feet off the floor....
not sure if that's what attracted the snake. I know the odors attract other rabbits.

And we have the usual assortment of wild critters hanging out... bird nests...
found a few eggs on the ground, squirrels, couple of stray rabbits. Plenty
of food for the snake to eat, plus a few snake predators, foxes, falcons, vultures,


So, do black snakes make permanent dens in a location or are they
fairly transient ???? Any way to discourage him from hanging around ??

Sprayed the shrubs with a mixture of water / ammonia and If I see him
again. he'll be relocated to avoid taking chances with the pet rabbits and doves.

But I'm curious.... eastern black snakes used to hang around barns and old farm
houses... do they settle in long term or just termporarily.

Thx...

Peter