Interesting Stuff
Wonder? Of Nature
June 27, 2008 
Here is something we ran across in real life that we found interesting.
The photo was made along steep cliffs along Salmon Falls Reservoir south of Twin Falls, Idaho. While on a recent fishing trip (We got a real nice Walleye) we noticed the swallows flying madly around the cliffs.
Upon close inspection we discovered the reason: A large bull snake with each end in a mud nest had invaded the colony for lunch. We don’t know if the reptile was after eggs or feathers, but it was 50 feet above the water on a rock wall.
Frank Lundburg would be a good source of additional info if he happens by this post. We’ll save space for his comments.
AND HEEEERE’s FRANK–
Really, remarkable Dave – Gopher snakes are very adept at climbing, but it’s rare to see a picture. Chances are the snake lives in the rocks somewhere close, though, it was really high up. It was probably after both eggs and baby birds, the birds probably its first choice.
Gopher snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Although at first glance, they may resemble rattlesnakes, note the absence of the rattle and the narrow head. They should be proteted and left alne if encountered. They are very beneficial to humans because of the great quantities of rodents they consume. In so doing gopher snakes protect our health and our crops.
As an aside, all snakes can climb and all snakes can swim, but some species do it better than others. The Gopher snakes are good at climbing, though on the ground, they spend most of their time looking for mice. Gopher snakes are members of the genus Pituophis, meaning “hissing” snake. Pituophis includes the “pine,” bull,” and gopher snake complex. Pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanolucus) live in the eastern US. Bull snakes (PItuophis melanoleucus sayi) live in the mid-west and Gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer deserticola), the Great Basin gopher snake lives in our area. This probably all falls in the category of “too much information” for what is a really remarkable photograph. Thanks for sharing it!
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Jun 27, 2008, 5:15 pm
What a great picture, Dave. Those nests almost look like wasp nests. How did you happen upon that photo op?
Jun 27, 2008, 7:55 pm
Really, remarkable Dave – Gopher snakes are very adept at climbing, but it’s rare to see a picture. Chances are the snake lives in the rocks somewhere close, though, it was really high up. It was probably after both eggs and baby birds, the birds probably its first choice. As an aside, all snakes can climb and all snakes can swim, but some species do it better than others. The Gopher snakes are good at climbing, though on the ground, they spend most of their time looking for mice. Gopher snakes are members of the genus Pituophis, meaning “hissing” snake. Pituophis includes the “pine,” bull,” and gopher snake complex. Pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanolucus) live in the eastern US. Bull snakes (PItuophis melanoleucus sayi) live in the mid-west and Gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer deserticola), the Great Basin gopher snake lives in our area. This probably all falls in the category of “too much information” for what is a really remarkable photograph. Thanks for sharing it!
Jun 27, 2008, 10:12 pm
If you ate that walleye, you don’t need mercury supplements.
Jun 28, 2008, 2:04 am
A bit of a departure for The Guardian, but, thanks a lot – very interesting and yes, remarkable photograph.
Jun 30, 2008, 9:46 am
I hate pitchers of snakes. Cuz I hate snakes and wish Mr. Guardian would not put them on his website cuz it makes me sick.
Jul 4, 2008, 8:30 am
WOW! Fabulous photo, Dave!
And how cute that your midwestness is showing in your name of the snake. 😉