I couldn't fish today, but I did have a little time to pursue my other outdoor passion - snakes.  Found this monster under a piece of tin:

Thats quite awesome

COOl pics!!

wow man, great pictures.

EECH  

As mean as he looks, and considering that little love-bite he gave me, he was about as docile a snake as you could ever want to handle.  I found him under a big piece of tin.  I wrestled him out by his tail.  As soon as I got my hand within striking distance, he gave me a quick nip.  But that was it.  They have needle sharp teeth and even a tiny nip will bring blood.  But once I had his body supported, he calmed right down.   I was able to handle him very easily.  He did seem a little agitated by the camera lense, but whenever I lowered it, he closed his mouth.  Maybe he thought it was some kind of eye.  

He was about 6.5 - 7 feet long.  Heavy in body for a black rat snake in these parts.  My biggest fear was that he would crap on me (they sometimes do that in self defense).  When he crawled through my hands, his belly and bowels gurgled loudly.  It would not have been a pretty site.   ;D

Awesome! Great Pics!   ;D

You got a big pair man....i'm terrorified of snakes.

Snakes are soooooooooooooo not my thing,

but I gotta hand it to you dude,

you know how to lively up the forum

well done !!!  

PS  Your avatar is the coolest on the boards.

On a recent fishing trip, the guy in front started playing with a snake in the water by pitching his lure in the snake's direction - I told him, you have two options - you can have me in the boat or the snake in the boat - there are no other options.  Other than that - really cool pictures  

Awesome pics man, especially the one of the open mouth and the snake staring at you. Didn't realize wild black rat snakes got so big. Must be eating pretty well out there. Man I would love to find a snake like that while herping. I don't get to do it much here in Nova, especially as seeing we pretty much have only cottonmouths and northern waters around here unless you go further east or south. Makes me want to go home and get my cornsnakes out for some well needed play time. Thanks for the pics bud.

Great pictures! Even though he's not poisonous, I would have had to  changed my shorts after he bit me!  

Yuk, Hate snakes, had a blue racer chase me on a bike as a kid and ever since we don't get along. Nice pictures though.

Wonderful reptile Rowland!  As I've mentioned before, I too use to collect snakes in and around the Everglades.  The Indigo is my favorite of all but that's a fine looking Rat snake.

Btw, I discovered a way to catch a non-poisonous snake without getting bitten.  Doesn't work in water where I use to catch Green Water and Banded Water snakes but it does on dry land...  Those heavy water snakes use to leave teeth marks all over my hands,

Dan

awsome pics dude.  I havent caught one of those in quite awhile.  Thanks for sharing.

Cool pics, I agree. But....

AWW HELL NO!!!!!!!!  ;D

I dont mind picking up a little snake maybe (under 12") but one that big just makes my skin crawl. I know they serve a good purpose w/ pest control, but "out of sight, out of mind" is my policy when it comes to creepy crawlers.

Wayne

Man, I'm glad I live up north.