Sep 04 2007
Snake in the House
The entire time I resided in Australia, I was on the lookout for snakes. Australians are very fond of their venomous snakes. Abby and Gabe were the only family members to have a close encounter with a snake while we were there. We went to Phillip Island south of Melbourne and took a walk around a koala park while waiting to see the penguin parade that night. We were looking up in the trees at the koalas and not watching the path. Abby and Gabe were leading the way when Abby almost stepped on a giant black snake. The snake jumped straight up in the air 4 feet. Abby screamed and she and Gabe high tailed it back to us. The snake then escaped into the bush. Abby was the subject of much teasing after that. So, she was glad to witness what a ninny her mother was tonight. I was in the kitchen and turned around to see a small dark snake about 10 inches long and as wide around as a pencil slithering across the floor. I certainly had not expected snake encounters in Virginia, especially not in my house. I yelled, “SNAKE!”, and all the kids came to see. I decided to use the whisk broom to sweep the snake up and the dustpan to transport it out of the house. The snake was moving pretty quickly and was a bit hard to sweep into the dustpan. I finally got it and started moving towards the door. Just then, the snake decided to climb up the handle of the dustpan towards my hand. At this point, I screamed and dropped the pan back on the floor. Zeke was now crying hysterically, Abby was trying to comfort him, and Josiah was “back a safe distance” as he justified later. Only Gabe was standing at the ready to continue snake removal operation. Most likely because I stunned it, the snake got really still, so I swept him back into the dustpan and left it on the floor a few seconds. He didn’t move, so I told Gabe to hold open the door for me. After watching me throw a snake, Gabe decided it would be wiser to use the door stop then hold it open for his unpredictable mother. The snake was safely transported outside where everyone could comfortably look at it. It stuck it’s tongue out at us a few times which Zeke found quite amusing. Josiah googled snake pictures until we discovered it was a non venomous yellow bellied water snake. I pushed it off into the grass and am sincerely hoping it does not come back to visit.
Mugs you are much braver than I would be in that situation! My mom does a great “snake dance” whenever she encounters a snake outside in the grass which involves high stepping in place and shouting incoherently. I have not been in a simular situation but assume that since I have witness her dance several times I would probably react in the same way! I join your wish in hoping it does not come back to visit you.
(((((((((((((Mugs)))))))))))))))))))
My goodness yall be careful!!!!
i hope that snake goes far away Never to return…you did better than i would though, i can say i’d have no mercy…i’d have splattered that snake to death
love you all….
You really need to get a digital camera. I’d love to see a picture of you as the snake wrangler!
What you need is a pet ferret. They will rid your house of snakes, rodents, …..
I have two snake stories from Down under.
Where I grew up in Canberra we lived by grassy reserves which have long since been filled with houses. Our cat Pippen used to bring us live baby snakes and we would pet and raise them. My mother the science teacher thought the snakes were copperheads, a baby snake whose venom was neurotoxin at levels that were relatively safe. However, they later turned out to be baby browns, whose venom would have comfortably dispacted all of the occupants in the house.
Another snake story comes from my Grandfather. He did not often speak of his efforts in the second world war. Australian returned service men were told never to speak of the things they had seen, wisdom at the time taught you had to forget. One of my treasured memories occured when he let me into one of his reminiscences. He and a few mates managed to sneak into American stores and steal a bottle of whiskey. While they were drinking it they happened upon a snake which they caught and plied with the burbon. The snake writhed around a fair bit and returned to the bush at a rather unsnake like gait.
It’s not every day that a protein rich visitor slides straight into your kitchen. See great recipe below. I understand you can modify the recipe in terms of cooking method if your a health nut like me. :->
I have always believed to be foremost authority on the natural world it pays to know what it tastes like.
http://www.fort.usgs.gov/resources/education/bts/resources/recipes/fried_snake.asp
Come on Karl; there have got to be some bushtucker sites out there for snake recipes. I had a little extra protein last night. I guess I need to keep my mouth closed when I run so I don’t eat so many bugs!
Will this do?
http://www.earthgarden.com.au/portal/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=37&thread_id=1226
And here are some bug recipes so you don’t have to eat them raw Dale
http://www.earthgarden.com.au/portal/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=37&thread_id=1240
That’s a great recipe. I especially like the bonus recipe for Slug Fritters.
Hi gang,
I live in Melbourne and have just returned from a holiday at Phillip Island with my wife and 2 kids. (nearly 11 & 13 y/o). While on a walk with my daughter she nearly stood on a copper head snake and on my return home I checked out in Google to see how dangerous they were, and it was from there I have found your web page.
May I say yours is a good read and I am glad to have found it.
Hope you enjoyed your stay in Melbourne.
Hope all goes well in Iraq!
Look after yourself!
Regards,
Gary
We loved Melbourne. I, too, thoroughly enjoy reading all of the posts by my wife, such as this one.