Grow Before You Squeeze Me

If you are comfortable around snakes, this might bring a chuckle.

This morning I was in an office where staff told me about a snake being found in the building and relocated. That was interesting… how did the snake get into the building, how long had it been there, and other questions run through your mind.

As I was leaving I passed through the entry way between the outside and the offices. Wouldn’t you know it, there was a small snake along the threshold of the outside door. I could not see how it slithered in, but it must have found a small opening. I picked the snake up to show the office staff. One laughed (the person who relocated the first snake). The other picked up a scissors (for the snake??)? I went outside, took a few pictures, and released the snake.

From what I can tell this is a very young fox snake. Fox snakes kill by constricting. This one needs to grow some before I will be worried. For those wondering, adult fox snakes can grow to over five feet in length. Also - notice the round pupil. Venomous snakes in Iowa have elliptical pupils (like a fang). Even non-venomous snakes will bite. This one tried, but was too small. It shook too, to make me think it was a rattlesnake. I was not fooled.