Herping in the local grocery store

[hoo-t]

I work in the meat department of a grocery store. Today, one of the employees came rushing through my dept, and exclaimed "There's a snake!", I said, "Where?" ... I was finally able to get out of her that it was in the stock room in some soft drink crates. I went back to be told by a soft drink rep that he thought it was a copperhead, and they couldn't find it. I started moving some of the crates around (very carefully with my foot), and finally the guy saw it and pointed it out to me. As soon as I saw it, I reached down and grabbed it, only to be bitten about 4 or 5 times. The guy asked "What kind is it?", and I resisted the urge to tell him that it was a "copper mouthed rattle moccasin", and told the truth that it was a baby black rat snake! I snatched up a deli cup from my dept, and stuck the snake in it, brought him home at lunch and set him up in a plastic tub with a fuzzy mouse, which he gladly accepted. Don't know yet whether we'll keep him, or just give him a few meals and release him.

Pics later!

Steve

[MPenn]

That is a funny story Steve!



Please post pics when you can.

[rabernet]

Too funny Steve - I agree - post pictures!

[Laooda]

Hahaha.... "copper mouthed rattle moccasin" Yea, we have those here. And the ones that are breeding with the Poisonous snakes over seas from cargo crates and flooding Texas with Super dangerous "cross bred" monsters.

[Blu Mongoose]

I never find anything good at the grocery store! Except maybe ice cream!!

[Evan Jamison]

Great story Steve! Gotta love how large and venomous snakes become when non-herp people find them. I have been told many stories of the 9 foot diamondback a farmer caught out here in Tooele trying to eat his livestock. My guess is it was a 3 foot great basin rattler, or even a gophersnake. Any pics of the little guy?

-Evan

[hoo-t]

Here he is! 2nd pic is just a cropped copy of the first one.





Steve

[Sausage]

Wow, look at his tongue! Great story!

[MelissaFlipski]

Great story! And great catch! Any updates on this little guy?

[hoo-t]

Great story! And great catch! Any updates on this little guy?

Wow! Melissa's been cruising the Field Herping forum!!!!

Yep, still got him, and he still bites! I had intended to release him before the weather got cold, but didn't get it done. We'll re-evaluate in the spring.

Quick little story- My son is 21 yrs old and lives with me. My computer is just inside my bedroom door. Adam came walking into my room a couple days ago grasping the snake around its middle. (Reminded me of how a three year old might hold a snake). The snake was calm, not struggling to get away, and not trying to bite him! He then allowed the snake to crawl freely on his arm, and he at least "appeared" to be as tame as the bps. EVERY time I have picked up that snake he's tried to bite me!!!

Steve