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BACKYARD SECRET – DO RATTLE SNAKES RATTLE BEFORE THEY STRIKE?
As far as most Georgians are concerned, the chance of them being struck by a rattlesnake is remote. However, if you do encounter a rattlesnake stay clear of the snake. Most rattlesnake bites occur when people are trying to get close enough to identify the snake, trying to kill it, or attempting to coax it to leave.
In spite of this, many homeowners believe that as long as the snake does not strike until it rattles. This myth can get you in trouble, as rattlesnakes do not always rattle before striking.
If you or a family member receives a rattlesnake bite, treat the incident as a medical emergency and immediately call 911.
Photo credit: GA DNR Wildlife Biologist, John Jensen
BACKYARD SECRET – HEADBOBBING HELPS GREEN ANOLES SELECT MATES
In the natural world, females select their mates in many ways. Interestingly, in the world of the green anole, the males that bob their heads the most often are the ones that are most likely to get a chance to breed with females.
HOW CAN YOU MAKE A GREEN ANOLE RUN FASTER?
A common resident in my backyard is the green anole. I particularly enjoy watching them stalking insects among the stems and foliage of the plants growing in containers on my deck or basking on a plant or deck rail. Whenever I get too close to them, they quickly run away.
This prompted me to wonder how fast a green anole can move. It seems that while green anoles are able scamper away at a seemingly fast pace, when compared to humans, they cannot run very fast at all. The truth of the matter is the fastest a green anole can run is a little over 10 mph. In comparison, the fastest humans can sprint at speeds of more than 27 mph.
I have heard people say that green anoles will run faster if you scream at them. When I first heard this claim, I found it hard to believe. Much to my surprise, when I did some research on the subject, I found that the claim may be valid.
The reason I say this is in laboratory settings scientists have found that green anoles do indeed run faster in response to repeated loud noises. Could screaming prompt the small lizards to scamper away faster than normal? It does seem possible.
The next time you spot a green anole, yell at it and see if the lizard does scamper off quicker than you expected. If you do so, make sure your neighbor is not nearby. If you do not heed my advice, you may have a difficult time explaining why you are yelling at lizards.
LOOK FOR SNAKE SKINS WHEN CHECKING NEST BOXES
Since it is November, it is time to begin checking, cleaning, and repairing nesting boxes. Since you never know what you will find when you open a nesting box, I find the task exciting. When I peek into a box and spot a shed snakeskin, I consider it a real prize, since in most cases it means a bird brought the skin to its nest.
The chances of you finding a snakeskin in bluebird nesting box are slim unless a squirrel has enlarged the entrance hole. However, if the whole is at least 2 inches in diameter, the presence of snakeskin means a great crested flycatcher nested there.
The only other cavity nesting bird in our neck of the woods that brings a snakeskin to its nest is the tufted titmouse, however they only do so occasionally.
The only other bird that regularly includes a snakeskin its nest is the blue grosbeak. Since the does not nest in a cavity, look for its nest in low trees in shrubs along the edges of fields.
The birds supposedly adorn their nests with the skins and even drape them over nesting boxes in an attempt to deter animals such as flying squirrels from entering the cavity and devouring the eggs.
At times, pieces of plastic bags are incorporated in nests. Are they substitutes for snakeskins? Who knows?
FREE SNAKE GUIDE AVAILABLE FROM GEORGIA DNR
There are 47 species of snakes native to the state of Georgia. Only seven of these reptiles are poisonous. If you would like to learn how to identify them, a great place to start is to go online and Google the Georgia DNR’s Venomous Snakes of Georgia. When you download the brochure, you will find there is also a Quick Guide to Georgia’s Non-venonmous Snakes.
For additional information on Georgia’s snakes, contact the Georgia state herpetologist Daniel Sollenberger. Daniel can be reached by phone at 478-994-1438 or email Daniel.sollenberger@dnr.ga.gov
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GREEN ANOLE IN WINTER?
The green anole (Anolis carolinsis) is a common backyard resident throughout much of Georgia. Green anoles are most active during the spring and fall. However, once cold weather arrives, they simply disappear. Have you ever wondered where to these fascinating modern dinosaurs go in frigid weather? If so, here is the answer.
Remarkably, in Georgia, green anoles remain active throughout the entire year. They do not hibernate, however, when it is very cold these cold-blooded animals remain inactive for days at a time. During these periods, they often shelter themselves under fallen logs, under boards, and tree bark, tree cavities and the like.
Such spots are often much warmer than places out in the open. I suspect some of the green anoles living in my backyard retreat under the deck at the rear of my home. In some instances, these small lizards will wait out cold weather in groups. Then, when we have an uncommonly warm winter day, they awake, magically reappear and begin basking in the sunlight and looking for food.
Although it might not sound like a big deal to some folks, I have long considered being able to see these remarkable creatures every month of the year is one of the perks of living in Georgia.
DEALING WITH A SNAKE IN YOUR YARD
Whenever we spend some time in our yards there is always the chance that we will encounter a snake. Consequently, what is to best way to react when you do see one?
To begin with, according to the state herpetologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Daniel Sollenberger, chances are the snake you see will not be poisonous. The reason for this is that out of the 47 species of snakes native to Georgia only 7 are poisonous. In addition, the copperhead is the species that is usually found in suburban areas.
When you see a snake, here is what the Georgia Department of Natural Resources recommends that you do.
Do not attempt to handle it. Give the reptile a wide berth. If possible, take a photo of the snake.
If you cannot identify it, a good source of information can be located at georgiawildlife.com/georgia snakes.
Remember, state law protects our native nonpoisonous snakes. In addition, federal law protects the eastern indigo snake.
Since the snakes in your yard are trying to hunt down prey such as insects, small mammals, amphibians and even other snakes, they should be allowed to escape into nearby cover. However, if you locate a potential poisonous snake that poses a potential danger to you, your family, or pets, do not try to remove it yourself. Instead, your best course of action is to contact a private wildlife removal specialist. You can obtain a list of them by going to georgiawildlife.com/preventing-wildlife-conflicts.
If you have any questions regarding snakes, contact Daniel Sollenberger, senior wildlife biologist – (478) 994-1438; daniel.sollenberger@dnr.ga.gov.
SNAKE CATCHES HUMMINGBIRD AT FEEDER
Ruby-throated hummingbirds face a host of perils. One of these is being caught by a snake. Over the years, hummingbird fanciers have sent me pictures of snakes coiled around feeders seemingly patiently waiting to pluck an unsuspecting hummingbird out of the air as it flies in to catch a quick meal. Since this unsettling scene is rarely reported, I suspect it does not happen very often. In our case, during the decades my wife and I have been feeding hummingbirds we had never seen it until this past week. Not only did I find a rat snake hanging onto one of our feeders, it was also clutching a hapless hummingbird in its gaping mouth. None of the photos I have received in the past ever captured this.
All of this changed when I stepped out on to on our deck on a quiet late summer morning less than a week ago and spotted what appeared to be a dark lump on the far side of one of our hummingbird feeders. I immediately stopped and tried to figure out what I was looking at. When I advanced closer to the feeder, I could see that the unknown object was a young rat snake. It was so small (three feet long) that it did not have to wrap itself around the feeder.
Once I realized what I was looking at, I turned around and went back into the house to tell my wife to grab her camera and hurry outside to see what was taking place. On the way back outside, I picked up my camera too.
When we returned, we realized that the best view of the snake was from the yard. When we found just the right spot to record the event, we started snapping pictures. 
All of this time the snake remained motionless. Finally, the snake moved its head away from the perch that encircled the feeding ports enough for us to realize it was just not waiting for a bird—it had already caught one and was in the process of swallowing it headfirst. Initially all we could see of the hummingbird was its emerald green back, wings, tail, and legs.
As we stood, transfixed, the snake began making swallowing motions that consisted of moving its head forward and opening and closing it mouth. As it did so, the bird slowly slipped deeper into the snake’s mouth and throat. Remarkably, in only five to 10 minutes the bird disappeared.
I then removed the feeder from the shepherd’s hook on which it was hung, and slowly walked to the far back of our spacious backyard and set the feeder on the ground. Throughout the whole process, the snake showed no signs of fear. However, when I placed the feeder on the grass the snake slowly slithered off.
Of course, we are disappointed that we lost a hummingbird to a rat snake. However, we realize that each year an untold number of hummingbirds succumb to predators, being caught in spider webs, accidents, and disease. At the same time, it will not hurt of feelings if we never witness it again.
THE DANGER POSED BY COPPERHEADS IN GEORGIA YARDS
The chances of finding a poisonous snake in a Georgia backyard are low. However, if one does appear, throughout most of the state, it will be a copperhead. One reason for this is the snake is ranges throughout the Peach State except in that portion of the southeastern Coastal Plain below the Altamaha River. Another reason is copperheads appear to be more tolerant of human development than other species of poisonous snakes.
While nobody ever wants to find a poisonous snake in their yard, if one does appear, probably the one that you want to see is the copperhead. It is not an aggressive snake. As such, more often than not, copperheads will only strike when they are disturbed or folks try to pick them up.
Unfortunately, copperheads do bite humans. An average of 2,920 copperhead bites occurs annually. The good news is, since copperhead venom is the least potent of any poisonous snake found in North America, copperhead bites are rarely life-threatening. In fact, only 0.01 percent of these bites are fatal.