Slither

     Mardi decided to have some sport the other day with a garter snake.  As she scampered and play bowed, the snake plastered itself against the house's foundation and stayed very still.  Mike and I took on the job of relocating the snake while Mardi cooled her heels inside the house.  The plan was to pick up the reptile with a leaf rake and deposit it into the wheel barrow, then we would wheel it to a wooded area and release it.  Who knew that the wriggly thing could practically stand on its tail end and jump?  It made various attempts to spring out of the wheel barrow while we tried to push it back with the rake.  Finally, it bested us, flew over the side of its prison, landed on the ground, and wrapped itself around the front wheel of the barrow.  With a little prodding, it let go and went slithering around the fenced in part of the yard.  Each time it tried to make an escape, it got caught in our dog proof mesh.  Mike finally wrangled it through the gate and into the woods.
     This adventure inspired us to do some snake research.  My mother used to warn me about avoiding snakes that could be lurking in the yard.  She talked about deadly "water moccasins" and "sand vipers."  Back then I took her word for it.  Now I realize she was a bit misinformed.  Sand vipers are found in Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East - we're safe from their venomous bites here in Hainesport.  By water moccasin, she might have been referring to the cottonmouth snake, but they don't live in New Jersey either.  We found a wonderful website that details New Jersey's belly crawling inhabitants.

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/fieldguide_herps.htm

In Hainesport, you're likely to find Garter Snakes in the back yard.  They are active from April to September.  They range in length from 18"-51".  The Eastern Kingsnake lives in Burlington County.  He's a big boy growing up to 80" in length.  You might also encounter a Northern Black Racer.  It's best to steer clear of this one because because it will defend itself if cornered.  Bites aren't poisonous, but they really hurt.  I once disturbed a Hognose Snake while racking leaves.  This guy stood up and fanned out his head and neck like a cobra.  He put on a striking and hissing display that scared the crap out of me.  Something this aggressive must be dangerous, right?  I decided that I had to kill the Hognose.  I grabbed a shovel and intended to bring it down on the snake, severing him in two.  I thought it would be pretty much the same as squashing a caterpillar or slapping a mosquito.  I stood there with raised shovel, but I couldn't commit murder.  Our conversation went something like this:

Hiss, hiss, strike.
"Prepare to die, sucker."
Hiss, strike.
"I'm gonna bring this shovel down and kill you."
Hissssssssss.
"Okay, I'm ready now.  I'm gonna kill you now."  Shovel waivers.  "Alright.  I can do it now.  You're toast."

After a half dozen false starts, I slammed the shovel down and killed the tiny aggressor.  Later, when I found out it was all a show, a big display of snake bravado, I was consumed with guilt for killing the harmless, little thing.

Eastern Hognose

Garter Snake

  

Eastern Kingsnake

Northern Black Racer

There are two poisonous snakes in New Jersey.  The Northern Copperhead lives in Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Hunterdon Counties.  These snakes are hardly ever seen because they are rare and reclusive.  They are on the endangered species list.  Though their bites are poisonous, they are hardly ever fatal.

Northern Copperhead

New Jersey's other venomous snake is the Timber Rattlesnake.  A bite from one of these guys will kill you if you are not treated in time.  These snakes are also endangered.  You might remember a big flap that occurred in the Sancutuary housing development in Evesham Township back in 1998.  The home building disturbed the nesting area of the snakes.  Things were eventually resolved, more in the builder's favor than the snakes' favor.  In 2011 a Good Samaritan in Little Egg Harbor Township stopped his car and attempted to move a Timber Rattlesnake from the road.  He was bitten for his efforts.  Fortunately, the motorist was treated in time and survived the bite.

Timber Rattlesnake - Check Out the Rattle

To sum up, you shouldn't have anything to worry about if you find a snake in your back yard in Hainesport.  You probably have more to fear from the turkeys.