On snake watch

Last night, while eating dinner on the back deck, I noticed something in a garden bed. It could have been part of a black plastic plant pot, but I traced my memory and don’t recall having left anything like that in the garden. I looked closer and saw another black object. Then I noticed they were connected, and it was moving.

“Snake!” I said to the kids.

Curious, nature loving creatures that we all are, we immediately put the dog inside the house and popped down (bare feet?!) to have a closer look. It was a beautiful creature. But it was a large snake. And being a red-bellied black snake, also venomous.

I thought it would be a good idea to alert the neighbours, who have small children. By the time I returned, my daughter informed me that the snake had since found itself a nice home inside the rocks. It could not be seen. I contacted the local wildlife service to get advice. They explained that red bellies, unlike the commonly found brown snake, are shy and it’s likely just moving through the area. It’s illegal to disturb a snake when it’s resting, for good reason. So, we wait.

I am writing here from the back deck, the following morning, on snake watch. I’m assuming it’s still inside it’s rock home since the sun hasn’t yet reached that part of the garden.

Of course, an immediate concern is the dog’s safety. But beyond that, I’m deeply curious about this reptile. “Shy.” For some reason, that word warms me to the snake. I am looking down to the rocks and wondering when it might emerge, and when it does, what kinds of things will it be navigating for in its environment before fully emerging.

The dog no doubt.

But possibly also food. The garden is abundant with lizards and frogs. But perhaps it will stay inside the rock shelter because it’s feeling shy. Or perhaps it’s digesting food. Or doesn’t need food immediately.

My orientation towards the garden is one of increasing biodiversity. I love the abundance of lizards and frogs, even spiders. I’ve been using FrogID to learn more about the species that live here, who I regularly hear in the trees surrounding the house, and in chorus in the nearby wetland.

Biodiversity must extend to the snake. The invitation must be for the frogs, lizards and snakes. The features of the garden that invite other species, also invite the snake.

Oh. Wow.

As I sit here writing and intermittently looking at the garden, I see that it has just come out of it’s home. Seeing it’s full form and I must say that I am feeling scared? Awed? Nervous? Calm?

It’s really beautiful, so black and shiny in the sun, so peaceful.

I guess it’s possible to hold two feelings at once, that I both do and do not want the snake here? I love that it feels safe enough here to bask in the sun, and I want to believe that me, the kids and the dog are not at risk. But it is a wild animal and will protect itself if threatened, even if accidently.

So many thoughts are swirling, so many competing ideas and values.

Ok, I called the wildlife service and a local handler has removed the snake and will take it to a local swamp. He said they are very timid and are most likely to run away. In fact, he predicted that it would try and get back into it’s hole, which it did. But he was able to gently coax it into the bag. It was weighty, and he said he usually doesn’t see them that big.

I do feel sad that it’s gone. It was exhilarating to watch it be carefully handled and taken elsewhere. But the handler did indicate that the dog is a threat to the snake, and it could strike. We looked around the yard to block off any entrances it could use, which may or may not be effective. I see that there are things I can do around the property to reduce snake habitat.

It’s interesting. I’m using black plastic to create a hot compost pile, but that choice provides reptile habitat. It’s a reminder that certain choices invite certain possibilities. Growing food invites certain species, such as insects and birds. Placing rocks for lizards can invite snakes. Providing water for birds creates habitat for mosquito larvae. They all belong, of course. It’s about finding the ways to keep witnessing those relations, to acknowledge the agency of the other-than-human world, to trust instead of control. And to feel abundant in the vibrant life that surrounds me.