Today I spotted...

10 years ago

Was looking down at the garden from my upper deck and I spied a colorful creature:

Can you spot him? I saw one of these guys last fall and didn't remember the color banding so I was expecting it to be a milk snake. Nope, it's a coral snake. He hung around circling that area of the garden for quite a while. Thankfully they are not aggressive so my plan is to let it be and just be cautious when working in the beds.

They are pretty, though! One of the joys of Texas gardening is all the critters. Dealing with an armadillo that invaded this past week, too.

Featured Answer

roselee z8b S.W. Texas

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Funny, but I didn't see anything at first and then the beautiful jewel colors became apparent.

We have coral snakes around here, but I rarely see them unless someone has run over them and I see the remains in the street. And yes, coral snakes are very non aggressive. I've read about children finding and playing with them without harm.

I stepped on one in the back yard while walking barefoot in the grass. It didn't even try to wiggle off and certainly didn't try to bite. Though they are venomous the very small fangs at the back of their throat make it next to impossible for them to bite and deliver it, even to a toe. I understand there are tropical varieties that are quite a bit larger.

I'd rather have them than an armadillo rooting up the yard! Are you going to try to trap the armadillo?

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Comments (7)

User
10 years ago
What a beauty! I've never seen one in the wild.
briaustex thanked User
yangmahal
10 years ago
A beautiful snake but be sure to check that it is not a venomous coral snake. There is a saying, red on yellow, meaning a wide red stripe bordered on each side with a narrow band of yellow........kill the fellow! Keep safe and look up the snake you pictured. (:
briaustex thanked yangmahal
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briaustex
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, planning on trapping the armadillo as it/they are digging everywhere. Had to fill in a ton of holes in the lawn and gardens, both in the backyard and front. In the past, they've not been this widely destructive. I find them cute when they aren't digging in my yard. :)
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
10 years ago
Yes, armadillos are interesting and fascinating creatures -- in the wild, that is. Not in gardens!
Linda
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Not in my yard either! Now, the hogs that dig on the property, they aren't cute anywhere! Saw a dead hog by a road today, that's the only kind I approve of!
bjb817
10 years ago
He would've bit the dust at my place!