This is a thread devoted to all the "Oscars" out there and a reminder that they are our best ambassadors to change minds.
I was far from a snake lover when I met Oscar. A single woman living across the street wanted me to come over and kill a snake. I elected to pin it's head and grab it instead. I had already studied the venomous snakes in my area so I was pretty sure this wasn't one but not 100%.When she asked what I thought it was I told her I didn't know- but (because it was the closest thing to anything I could identify) I said- "maybe a baby copperhead".
The first thing out of " Mama's " mouth was- " You're not keeping it"! (Not fair really-I let her keep the runt!!!)------ (daughter) lol. I told her I needed to keep it long enough to ID it then we would figure out what to do. Later- I said I would get rid of it before It got big enough and mean and could hurt anyone.
Well- She's gone now- but Oscar's not. .........
I named this snake "Oscar" after the Sesamee Street character because here's what RD Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett's book-" Corn snakes and other rat snakes" says: "If you are enthralled by belligerence in a snake, let us introduce you to the Texas (or Lindheimer's) rat snake. E.o.lindheimer.There may be no other harmless snake in America quite so ready to bite.
After dealing with many of them, I'd have to say this is very true.But Oscar tamed down very quickly and in his younger days accompanied me to many parties where he was held by 100's of people (the majority of which were under 6).
I saw a lot of rat snakes being killed in my neighborhood by ignorance and misidentification. A quick trip around the neighborhood with Oscar tought people how beneficial these snakes were and how to identify them.
I had at least a dozen times people knocked on my door to relocate or identify a snake when before they would have just killed it. Who knows how many of those kids won't kill harmless snakes because of Oscar ( or the grown-ups).
Now Oscar is a 5' long FEMALE snake I've had for over ten years. HE laid eggs a couple of years ago! !!!
I was far from a snake lover when I met Oscar. A single woman living across the street wanted me to come over and kill a snake. I elected to pin it's head and grab it instead. I had already studied the venomous snakes in my area so I was pretty sure this wasn't one but not 100%.When she asked what I thought it was I told her I didn't know- but (because it was the closest thing to anything I could identify) I said- "maybe a baby copperhead".
The first thing out of " Mama's " mouth was- " You're not keeping it"! (Not fair really-I let her keep the runt!!!)------ (daughter) lol. I told her I needed to keep it long enough to ID it then we would figure out what to do. Later- I said I would get rid of it before It got big enough and mean and could hurt anyone.
Well- She's gone now- but Oscar's not. .........
I named this snake "Oscar" after the Sesamee Street character because here's what RD Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett's book-" Corn snakes and other rat snakes" says: "If you are enthralled by belligerence in a snake, let us introduce you to the Texas (or Lindheimer's) rat snake. E.o.lindheimer.There may be no other harmless snake in America quite so ready to bite.
After dealing with many of them, I'd have to say this is very true.But Oscar tamed down very quickly and in his younger days accompanied me to many parties where he was held by 100's of people (the majority of which were under 6).
I saw a lot of rat snakes being killed in my neighborhood by ignorance and misidentification. A quick trip around the neighborhood with Oscar tought people how beneficial these snakes were and how to identify them.
I had at least a dozen times people knocked on my door to relocate or identify a snake when before they would have just killed it. Who knows how many of those kids won't kill harmless snakes because of Oscar ( or the grown-ups).
Now Oscar is a 5' long FEMALE snake I've had for over ten years. HE laid eggs a couple of years ago! !!!