A Texas Blind Snake in Temple, Texas

A Texas Blind Snake in Temple, Texas
—This article by Jerry Cates and Ashley D., first published on 7 April 2010, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:04(05). —————————— Ashley wrote: “My mom and I found this snake on our porch. We’re not sure what kind it is; all we know is it is a baby snake. We live in Temple, Texas.” It ...

Snake Teeth & Fangs — Structure & Specialization

Snake Teeth & Fangs --- Structure & Specialization
— This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 6 April 2010, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:04(04). —————————— Snake dentition varies according to structure and function. Four general groupings of dentition are recognized within the suborder Serpentes. Within each group, considerable additional variation occurs. However, some general characteristics mark the snakes in ...

Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes in Texas

Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes in Texas
—This article by Jerry Cates et al., first published in March 2007, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 08:03. —————————— The eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a medium sized snake that comes in a variety of colors and markings. It has a stout body, a broad head and thick neck. When ...

Blotched Water Snakes in Texas

Blotched Water Snakes in Texas
— This article by Jerry Cates, Michael Logozar,  Julia E., and Ramona R., first published on 4 April 2010, was last revised on 21 May 2012. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:04(02). —————————— On 13 April 2012, Michael Logozar, of Round Rock, Texas, wrote the following: Hey, Jerry: I’m looking forward to the BBQ and seeing you all soon. ...

A Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake in a Commercial Facility in San Antonio, Texas

A Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake in a Commercial Facility in San Antonio, Texas
— This article by Jerry Cates and Martha D., first published on 2 April 2010, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:04(01). —————————————– This 17-inch-long, juvenile Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake was observed by a sharp-eyed night shift supervisor at a commercial facility in San Antonio. The supervisor, a woman, was walking down a well-lighted ...

Snake Repellents — How, and How Well, Do They Work?

— This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 23 March 2010, was last revised on 23 October 2013. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(21). —————————————– The most easily obtained snake repellent on the U.S. market today uses a mixture of naphthalene crystals and sulfur granules. That product, which relies on the interference of its ingredients with the ...

Snake Exclusion — How to “Snake-Proof” Your Yard & Home

Snake Exclusion --- How to
—  This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 23 March 2010, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(20). —————————————– If you are being troubled by snakes, don’t despair. It is possible for anyone willing to study the issues involved, learn what is required, then take matters into their own hands and fix ...

What is Meant by “A Reasonably Snake-free Environment”?

— This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 23 March 2010, was last revised on 23 October 2012. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(19). —————————————– Let’s assume you have been troubled by snakes, in your neighborhood, around or inside your home, or in your yard in the past. Using the information I have posted on various pages ...

A Canebrake Rattlesnake in Blue, Texas

A Canebrake Rattlesnake in Blue, Texas
— This article by Jerry Cates and Tim C., first published in October 2008, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 09:10(01). —————————————– The photo at right was taken  by Tim C. Tim wrote: “I’m hoping you can ID this snake. I took the photo in Blue, near Elgin, from my driver’s seat. The ...

Duvernoy’s Gland Secretions in Colubrid Snakes

—This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 20 March 2010, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(18). —————————————– The Colubridae family of snakes includes 320 genera and about 700 species. Until the 1920’s (some authorities say the 1950’s) these snakes were considered utterly non-venomous. Not harmless, just non-venomous, as the word ...