We spotted this deceased on the street at the start of our morning walk. At first I feared this might be a Rattlesnake (there are three species native to our area), but it's likely a San Diego Gopher Snake (note the lack of rattle), garden good guy. Perhaps it had done battle with a Coyote and lost, and the Coyote was waiting for us to leave so it could retrieve it. Gopher snakes eat, yes, gophers. Friend to gardeners!
That is a sad sight. I like the good guy snakes.
ReplyDeleteMe too, though I'm still scared of them.
DeleteIt is a shame! We have only small garter snakes in this area and I haven't seen one in many years and have never seen one in town. Beautiful creatures but because of lack of exposure in the wild or in a garden, I'm a bit wary.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful, but their beauty increases dramatically the farther away they are.
DeleteSo sorry that this gardenfriend deceased, anyway when I should meet such a gardenfriend I would make an airjump with fright. Good or bad guys, I´m not used to see snakes. so they are all creepy to me.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to credit Dear Husband for the photograph, because I was too scared to get close enough for the picture. Very creepy!
DeleteAhw :( same here with grass snake, a friend to gardeners
ReplyDeleteHopefully a few of her/his brothers and sisters are around...
DeleteAww, sad but also, circle of life. Sometimes they are struck by cars while sunning on the blacktop. I've seen them out on the 133 on the way to Laguna...
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely, they have the habit of crossing and being near roads...I just feel I've lost a very helpful neighbor.
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