They also state that all Fish and Game laws are followed, so killing those snakes isn't illegal. Granted, the snakes could even have been planted, it's not like these people are really all alone out there.

It looked rather like a rat or pine snake and a king(checkered? king, almost like one of the Brooksi looks). And they ate them both. They'd do much better boiling the meat though, using the broth as well.

The first season struck me as some folks doing things in a very complex manner, just like this episode of the 2nd season. Did they show them checking all the gas tanks of the abandoned cars for fuel? And I'd have had that house fortified the first couple days, with or without power tools. Plenty of materials in the form of surrounding houses to dismantle. But then they wouldn't have the drama of invaders getting in. They have to fortify after a few invasions.. then they'll fight off a few attacks. Then they'll have a overwhelming attack. It really seems to follow the typical plot of a zombie movie.