this is getting ridiculous....

I realize that every place has snakes.... I just never thought I would happen to encounter every snake in one place!

Last night I went out to the fridge in the garage for a soda. I reached for the handle, and then I heard sort of a hiss/rattle. I looked down, and there - coiled up next to the side door of the garage - with it's tongue darting in and out - was another snake!

This one was larger than previous snakes encountered. It was quite a bit noiser, too. I did see the diamonds, and the photo above looks almost exactly what I saw.... an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake... which I've read is the most dangerous and gets to be the largest snake in the U.S. ???

I didn't know this at the time, of course. And while I enjoy most of the wildlife in Florida... and have gotten used to what I don't like (gators), I will never enjoy - or even tolerate snakes.

Fortunately, this snake was right next to the side door of the garage. I slowly unlocked the door, and slowly opened it just a little, to make sure it would open. There was a long pole with a brush attached (used for cleaning the eaves) that I could reach without moving, so grab it I did. Then I slowly pushed open the door (while the snake arched and rose up - probably planning to eat my face).... and quickly shoved that booger outside! Bam! I slammed the door shut and ran inside the house! hehe

Now I'm wondering where the next snake will show. I did hear a hissing in the house one night, and thought it might be a snake, but then figured I was just imagining things. I guess as the weather gets cooler, the snakes look for warmer places. I hope the next snake doesn't show up in my bed! I thought for a minute about getting bunk beds & sleeping on the top bunk, but these snakes can climb... so that wouldn't do any good. I don't know what keeps snakes away.... But I'm guessing we won't keep them away... and I'm guessing I'll run into another one soon enough. Hopefully I can get away fast enough - if it's a rattlesnake, or get it away from me fast enough so it doesn't get the chance to bite me. Oh well. I guess it makes life exciting!