It's not just the quail--I have rabbits too, and chickens. The chickens are in a tractor I move around from day to day, so the snakes look for them in a different spot every day. At this point, my whole property is basically covered in road flares, fireworks, and spotlights to a breed of snake that specializes in birds and small mammals.
I thought the black rat snakes had gone into brumation because we'd had a cold snap, but the last couple of days have had highs in the 80s and I was wondering if I'd see anyone again. I went out to check on the animals, came around back of the rabbit shed, and almost stepped on on #1. He thoroughly musked me just to remind me who's really boss here, and has settled comfortably back into his favorite hide to await his next free meal.
He was after kits again. Another one of my rabbits has nine 2-week-old babies, and he was going after the rabbits instead of the quail. This mama rabbit is even bigger than the other doe, and although she's a little sweeter she would not hesitate to defend her kits. I think I keep saving #1 from his own stupidity--rabbits can really hurt something if they want to.
|