HAD A VISITOR IN MY POOL SATURDAY - NOT WELCOME EITHER!

[chief38]

I helped a friend do some electrical work in his garage last Saturday and after the job was completed we wound up back at my house for a swim. I put my bathing suit on and was just about to jump in and I saw a Coral Snake swimming around! This one was about a foot long, a young one I guess but from what I understand they are quite venomous!

I grabbed the pool net on the extended pole and after a few attempts I was successful in tossing him out of the screened in pool cage. He was a jittery and fast sucker too! Living in a tropical climate is a whole different experience and something we have been getting educated about over the last 18 months. At least I saw him before diving in!

 

[JET4]

Good that you saw him before jumping in.

 

[chief38]

Now I feel like I am living in the Wild Kingdom - LOL! Snakes of all kinds, Bob Cats, Panthers, huge Turtles, Bears, Deer, Turkey, Turkey Vultures, Lizards, Eagles, and Alligators by the boat load. I have seen more Frogs here in 18 months than in my whole life combined!

I'm a actually a bit enamored and intrigued by them and so far none have bothered us much. Of course a different kind of caution must be exercised when venturing out of the house. Since most creatures and animals only attack when they feel threatened, trapped, surprised or stepped on we must take extra caution when walking around.

Still way better than dealing with the two legged animals in the major cities!

 

[s&wchad]

A coral snake in the pool... Yikes!

I guess it could have been worse.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I'm in the country. When I first built my pool I believe I caught every snake and frog within a half mile radius of my house. You had be really careful when you opened the tops of the skimmer baskets.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

“Snakes…I hate ‘em!”

 

[ladder13]

The occasional copperhead is enough.

 

[chief38]

A coral snake in the pool... Yikes!

I guess it could have been worse.

Yea, but he seems to have a nice smile!

 

[chief38]

I'm in the country. When I first built my pool I believe I caught every snake and frog within a half mile radius of my house. You had be really careful when you opened the tops of the skimmer baskets.

YES!! The pool guy who maintains my pool told me he has been surprised a few times by that very experience when removing the cover to the skimmer!

Once again, I'd rather deal with this than the "snakes" in the big Cities!

 

[mchom]

WOW!!!
I read Coral snake venom is similar to that of a cobra.

 

[CH4]

I'm in the country. When I first built my pool I believe I caught every snake and frog within a half mile radius of my house. You had be really careful when you opened the tops of the skimmer baskets.

No kidding!
I left emptying the skimmer basket to the wife.

 

[DWalt]

The only snakes I have ever seen around my house are Texas Blind Snakes. They are small, maybe five or six inches, and look more like worms than snakes. About the only times I have seen them is if I turn over a rock or something laying on the ground. Totally harmless little critters. And that’s fine with me, far preferable to having Coral Snakes. When we lived near Fort Worth, we would occasionally get rattlers in our back yard. And also Tarantulas and scorpions.

 

[chief38]

The only snakes I have ever seen around my house are Texas Blind Snakes. They are small, maybe five or six inches, and look more like worms than snakes. About the only times I have seen them is if I turn over a rock or something laying on the ground. Totally harmless little critters. And that’s fine with me, far preferable to having Coral Snakes. When we lived near Fort Worth, we would occasionally get rattlers in our back yard. And also Tarantulas and scorpions.

We have had Rattler's here too! Rattler's are larger so they are a little easier to spot. The Coral Snakes are way smaller and hard to see in the grass. Rattler's usually at least warn you they are there by making their noise. While I am no expert, I don't think they actually have an antidote for Coral Snake bites.

I would not want to tangle with any of them!!! Below is the Rattler that came to visit last spring. He was thankfully on the outside of the screening.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I was working for this guy turning a barn into a house years back. The owners had had several run-ins with rattlers around the property, so I tried to stay aware. Kinda nasty but this guy insisted on keeping the toilet hooked up even after we tore all the walls down around it. Well, one day there was no other option so I went in for a quick seat on the throne. I don't know who was more surprised when the lid went up, me or the four foot king snake on the ground by my feet. Now I don't know if you are familiar with the California King but he gets by on his passing resemblance to a rattler and his habit of coiling up and shaking his tail when cornered. Mr. King and I hastily exited by separate routes.
The only time I was more surprised on a jobsite was when I found a bear in the bathtub up in tahoe.

 

[islamoradamark]

That Rattle snake sure did blend in good with that mulch. I have a white pea rock yard most of the time you can see those critters . i have found some critters when lifting my water meter cover, always take a good look before putting your hand in there.

 

[Jon42]

I have found snakes in my pool skimmers, a young possum and a skunk. When we first moved to our house we heard the dogs barking while we were watching TV and ran outside to see a dairy cow climbing the stairs out of our pool. Now we have a fence around the pool and 4 acres around the house fenced. Wasn’t fun cleaning the pool.

 

[chief38]

I was working for this guy turning a barn into a house years back. The owners had had several run-ins with rattlers around the property, so I tried to stay aware. Kinda nasty but this guy insisted on keeping the toilet hooked up even after we tore all the walls down around it. Well, one day there was no other option so I went in for a quick seat on the throne. I don't know who was more surprised when the lid went up, me or the four foot king snake on the ground by my feet. Now I don't know if you are familiar with the California King but he gets by on his passing resemblance to a rattler and his habit of coiling up and shaking his tail when cornered. Mr. King and I hastily exited by separate routes.
The only time I was more surprised on a jobsite was when I found a bear in the bathtub up in tahoe.

Paul - are you SURE the snake you saw wasn't a BOWL CONSTRICTOR? HA HA LOL!!

 

[Rustyt1953]

"Snakes make you run into trees." ~ Richard Pryor

 

[Alton]

The person who showed me how to take care of my pool taught me never to just grab the skimmer basket, look first. In six years I have removed two dead rattle snakes and a live armadillo. I had a Coral snake for two years, that bugger was quick to run, so I no reason to hunt them down.

 

[oink]

... I saw a Coral Snake swimming around! This one was about a foot long, a young one I guess but from what I understand they are quite venomous! ...

Are you sure it wasn't a scarlet kingsnake (14 to 20 inches)?

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If it was a coral snake it would have died (2 to 3 feet):

What state are you in?