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Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
  
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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The snake in question is natrix - commonly Queen/Grass Snake Presence of this snake is an indicator of a healthy stream. "Rock Flippers" the likes of the author, Bob Moss, and Billy Joe Fudge, used to encounter lots of these non-venomous critters. Alan Reed writes: 'I think they are handsome beasts, but realize beauty if in the eye of the beholder. Oh, and yes, like most all snakes they will bite in a self-defense situation. Just admire them from a short distance and leave them alone. - ALAN W. REED Click on headline for complete article with original Dusty Claiborne photo By Alan W. Reed The snake in question is Natrix natrix. I came to know this animal well from stream work over the years. Natrix has many common names including Queen Snake and Grass Snake. The round pupil in the eye shows up pretty clearly in the photo. All three of the Commonwealth's poisonous snakes have pupils best described as vertical slits and are "pit" vipers. There is a lot of variability in the color and markings of this snake ranging from near a solid charcoal to patterned as shown in the photo. The diet for this animal consists of mostly amphibians (frogs and toads). I used to encounter Natrix frequently---even large specimens like this one. Several years ago on an aquatic sampling trip near Sparta Tennessee, I discovered one of these in the process of swallowing a rather large sunfish. The presence of this snake is one indicator of a healthy stream. Sadly, as the water quality in our streams continues to decline, we see fewer and fewer of the interesting critters all of us "rock flippers" used to encounter. Mr. Fudge is a "rock flipper". Billy Joe is a notorious "rock flipper" though not quite as accomplished as Bob Moss who has flipped every rock in Big Creek! Mr. Mashburn actually had a special treat since individuals of this size are seen very infrequently these days. Again, Charles, look for the round pupil. You can do that from a safe distance without having to flip the snake over and count anal scales! While these snakes are non-poisonous they can (and will) act very aggressively only when provoked, and will coil up strike repeatedly. I think they are handsome beasts, but realize beauty if in the eye of the beholder. Oh, and yes, like most all snakes they will bite in a self-defense situation. Just admire them from a short distance and leave them alone. This story was posted on 2014-04-13 14:28:34
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