CANADA
CALIFORNIA
U.S.A.
This was freaky. This morning I walked around to the bottom of the big hill behind my house, you know the one with the deer, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, etc…? I was checking one of the plants, looked down and saw this thing…OMG! A rattle snake! Right between my feet! So I slowly backed away, he flicked his tongue a couple of times, and I decided that was as close to death as I ever wanted to be. But escaping with my life apparently was not enough. I had to put on some high boots, get my camera, and go back to get a picture to see if it really was a rattlesnake. Now I don’t know what it is. I think it has feet! It was about 18 inches long. A lizard? A mutant snake? Why am I even living here?
Yeah Jenny be careful. I know you love taking pitures, but I dont think I wouldve went back no matter how much you wanted to. There’s no telling what that thing is. Looks to me like some type of lizard. I dont like reptiles except maybe a turtle. So whatever it is, I have to say its has pretty color…
Okay Jenny I couldn’t stop myself from searching. I think maybe it’s a Alligator Lizard. I’ll link you to what I found…
Go to “Identification” across the very top of the page, 8th link across…
Then go to “CA Lizards ID”…
Then scroll down and click the “Alligator Lizard” link and tell me what you think. I could be wrong…
http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/s.m.uniformis.html
Rhonda, that’s it! Thank you for the research. Now I’m even more scared… :=o
Oh you’re welcome, Jenny. I was just curious about it being poison or not. I did some reading on them and they actually can be pets. They do bite and the bite can be painful. I’m guessing they are somewhat like a snapping turtle. You leave them alone and they will leave you alone…
It seems also that the picture you took of the lizard in your backyard is a female and they guard their eggs, so dont be surprise if you are out and about and come across a nest of eggs. I’m sure there are some out there because these type of lizards are homebound for California…
Take care,
Rhonda
See, just READING this makes me almost pass out. I would still be standing there, frozen, not knowing what to do. My hubby steps on their head, then pulls the body with his bare hands!! I always say “wait until I’m back in the house to do that” because I think I would throw up right there!!!!
PLEASE be careful….and you did NOT need to go back for pictures!! UGH!!!!!
Still shaking in Texas,
Becky
I know I don’t have to tell you to be careful, Jenny.
But please be careful!
BTW, how is your step monther’s husband doing? Any improvement?
Thanks for asking. He’s not eating as much as he should and not following his doctor’s orders so I wouldn’t be surprised if he wound up back in the hospital. I feel sorry for him trying to deal with a huge life-change as a result of losing a good portion of his stomach due to stomach cancer. I feel like we have all done everything we can do and now it’s up to him to choose to get better. People do survive these operations and go on with normal (but adjusted) lives. I hope he chooses to do so.
You ding dong!! What were you thinking going back? I am glad you did though. I don’t know what it is by looking at the picture. Creepy. I don’t hink it was a rattlesnake…but who really cares? I say run!! I can’t believe it was still there waiting for you!!
What are you doing for the 4th? Wanna come over and swim and have BBQ with us? Kansas City in July…HOT HOT HOT
I am going to cook, cook, cook for the 4th – my fall-off-the-bone ribs, potato salad, cole slaw, corn on the cob, and lemon-coconut cupcakes. Maybe I should try making some rattlesnake chili and substitute the rattlesnake with you-know-who…
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-fight/rattlesnake-chili-recipe/index.html