View Full Version : What kind of snake?
Hiking Atkins to near Catawba, VA last week and almost stepped on this critter lounging on the trail just north of Pearisburg. It was about 3 feet in length. The air was cold and it didn't want to move much. Not knowing what it was, I gave it a wide berth. What is it?
The only other critters I saw were 3 grey squirrels, 3 pheasants, and 1 deer.
Hiking Atkins to near Catawba, VA last week and almost stepped on this critter lounging on the trail just north of Pearisburg. It was about 3 feet in length. The air was cold and it didn't want to move much. Not knowing what it was, I gave it a wide berth. What is it?
The only other critters I saw were 3 grey squirrels, 3 pheasants, and 1 deer.
It's a Garter snake. Harmless unless you count being poo'd on, they like to release a nasty squirt if picked up.
Ditto. When they are cold the garters are easy to handle and love a warm pair of hands.
"I saw were 3 grey squirrels, 3 pheasants, and 1 deer"
Pheasant are not native to VA. What you saw may have been Ruffed Grouse. You will often hear them drumming in the mornings and evenings. I heard them daily and saw several on section hikes in April.
cowboy nichols
05-07-2009, 18:37
Pheasants were common in Pa. 70 years ado . I wouldn't be surprised if they had spread.
leeki pole
05-07-2009, 18:47
Could be a pheasant, but the hens are quite a bit smaller than the males, epecially in the spring, who are easy to spot due to their plumage. Hens are not all that much bigger than a grouse and the plumage is quite similar to a grouse. The short banded tail would give it away if it were a grouse rather than a hen pheasant.
Yup, Garter snake!
Lots of locals around here call Ruffed Grouse pheasants. I do know of some people that raise them but I'd bet grouse.
Click on ruffed grouse (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=161241) and ring-necked pheasant (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=167114) for information provided by Pennsylvania Game Commission.
"I saw were 3 grey squirrels, 3 pheasants, and 1 deer"
Pheasant are not native to VA. What you saw may have been Ruffed Grouse. You will often hear them drumming in the mornings and evenings. I heard them daily and saw several on section hikes in April.
Pheasants are not native to the U.S. They're Asian.
Grouse may have been transplanted as well. If I'm not mistaken, OH and GA had a deal a few years back to trade Grouse for Turkeys. Now both ecologies are screwed up.
If I'm not mistaken, OH and GA had a deal a few years back to trade Grouse for Turkeys. Now both ecologies are screwed up.
Okay, I'm not sure why, but if I'm bored later I may click to learn how.
I may have exaggerated a little. If I find a link I'll post it. I do know this though, when I was a child my dad used to hunt Grouse, and as the Turkey population increased Grouse became harder to find. I don't remember the last time I saw a Grouse in Ohio, but I've seen plenty of Turkeys.
warraghiyagey
05-30-2009, 18:58
Boa Constrictor. . .
Wise Old Owl
05-30-2009, 19:36
Pheasants were common in Pa. 70 years ado . I wouldn't be surprised if they had spread.
Pheasants were wiped out with avain flu years ago, they wont be back for about fifty years.
That's a white and brownish looking snake
I don't remember the last time I saw a Grouse in Ohio, but I've seen plenty of Turkeys.
I remember the last time I saw a turkey and a grouse in Pennsylvania's Green Diamond. They didn't happen to be together at the time. You need to realize ruffed grouse populations are cyclical and look harder. I suggest you begin where there are aspens.
Pheasants were wiped out with avian flu years ago, they wont be back for about fifty years.
BS, they are here now. Must I post a link for you? I'll bet I could find one tomorrow if I wouldn't prefer to spend my time on other things. In fact, I'll bet I could call a relative who could tell me where I could find one before noon.