by Braxton M. B.
Member since:
May 5, 2006

Photo by Braxton M. B.

August 21, 2006 02:01 AM EDT (Updated: September 28, 2009 01:28 PM EDT)
views: 133 | comments: 31
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living,animal,snake,garter,non-venomous,creature,wildlife
This is me and a thirty inch garter snake. I let my eight year old daughter use my camera to shoot this picture. My neighbor wanted me to kill this poor creature. I know she had to be really afraid of it because that is the only way she would have come to me for help. I refused to do her dirty work and kill it for her but I did capture it and relocate it to Ray Harrell nature park two miles away from where I was living at the time. The snake turned out to be nicer than she was.
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Comments: 31

Rachaelle (parenthetically tired) E. Aug 21, 2006, 2:39am EDT
Nasty neighbors and nice snakes... Aren't garter snakes relatively harmless?
Braxton M. B. Aug 21, 2006, 4:16am EDT
completely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheryl C. Aug 21, 2006, 6:38am EDT
Garter snakes are good for the garden.

I'm sure it will be happier in a pretty preserve.
Larry M. Aug 21, 2006, 7:57pm EDT
It is good to see people that understand the importance of snakes and do not fear them just because they are snakes. So many people just want to kill anything they do not understand! Thanks for posting the photo and caption.
Garter's are completly harmless, but for people who have a snake phobia, that doesn't even come into the equation. I'm absolutely terrified of snakes, be it harmless garters or deadly vipers.

I wouldn't have asked for it to be killed, but I would have asked for help (via screaming my bloody head off) in removing it from my yard. ;)

Great picture, though!
Peter Wimsey Mar 31, 2007, 3:26am EDT
Glad to know you spared the snake, Braxton!
Braxton M. B. Mar 31, 2007, 3:54am EDT
I would never kill an innocent creature.
Gregg Donaldson Apr 2, 2007, 12:02pm EDT
I'm an unconventional guy! Thanks for your comments. Glad to have you as a friend.
the "KILL IT" reflex seems to be deeper and stronger in women than men...
Braxton M. B. Apr 6, 2007, 2:47am EDT
Lloyd that does not extend to the women in my life.

Thanks Kimberly you are sweety.

Greg there is nothing wrong with being an unconventional guy. It takes a lot of guts to live outside of the box in today's world.
sherri g. Apr 21, 2007, 12:14am EDT
in response to your question, the snakes not mine, its my cousin's. Shes very friendly though, her name is slinky.
Braxton M. B. May 15, 2007, 4:31am EDT
Thanks Becky.
Michelle C. Jun 5, 2007, 1:33am EDT
My great grandpa was a brave man- catching snakes and making them into statues.. every time I'd see the statue- I'd think the snake is gonna jump at me (he even got deadly snakes) and every time going into a room, I'd forget and let out a scream.. he laughed constantly at 94 for me screaming .. and he died I think about 104. :)
Val G. Jul 2, 2007, 10:43pm EDT
Snakes make nice neighbors. That is one big garter snake!!!
Braxton M. B. Jul 6, 2007, 11:06am EDT
The way you got scared every time is funny Michelle. Thanks for your comment.

I agree on both counts Val.
Braxton M. B. Jul 6, 2007, 11:09am EDT
Unfortunately Val the snake was about two or so inches shorter when I release it because it was able to spin in my hands and break its tail off. It did not hurt the snake because their tails are designed to do this to evade preditors.
☆ Æ’åitÄ¥ ☆ Oct 3, 2007, 1:41am EDT
Now that is ONE big snake!
Victoria H. Oct 9, 2007, 12:23am EDT
I've finally gotten to the point where I can let a harmless snake live, but man, they still freak me out.
Braxton M. B. Oct 9, 2007, 12:40am EDT
Chicken.
Geri T. Oct 15, 2007, 5:28pm EDT
Garter Snakes are really nice and make pretty good "temporary" pets.
I mean temporary as in a few hours. They are very educational for young children because they are gentle and children can get to know the feel and smell of a snake. Usually they poop on you when you hold them and if that's not educational...I don't know what is!
Thank you for being a kind person and releasing this snake in a safe area.
Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Jan 26, 2008, 10:52pm EST
a harmless snake, so glad you rescued it. Here in Texas we won't mess with any snakes. We are from Minnesota & are used to garter snakes....here in TX we have no idea what we are messing with, so we just stay away.
Braxton M. B. Jan 27, 2008, 12:18pm EST
Priscilla in this part of Texas if the snake has a triangular shaped head and a heavy body even if it does not have a rattle leave it alone. There are some Coral snakes in Texas and the way to to tell them from the imitaters is the old saying that I believe says "red meets yellow kills a fellow, red meet black ok Jack
Braxton M. B. Jan 27, 2008, 12:19pm EST
Thanks again for commenting sweetie.
Sarah (can't believe the year's over) G. Jan 30, 2008, 12:01am EST
I don't mind snakes too much.
Braxton M. B. Jan 30, 2008, 9:14am EST
I like them better than rats and mice Sarah.
Cheryl V. Jul 18, 2008, 4:54pm EDT
nice pic
Neil K. Sep 14, 2008, 1:34pm EDT
Sure is big for a Garter Snake!
Christy F. Oct 5, 2008, 12:34pm EDT
I love snakes! Great shot on this one! :D
Braxton M. B. Oct 14, 2008, 3:55am EDT
Thank you for the comments guys.
Dan H. Jan 10, 2009, 9:09pm EST
A nice shot.
Shannon R. Sep 28, 2009, 1:28pm EDT
Those snakes are harmless. My children and I play with them. I cant imagine killing one.

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