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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / December 2005Snake just came out of the ceiling!!!
Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but now I know it's totally true. It's the King's birthday here and Dennis and I were out for dinner at the beach with friends. We got home and were just standing in the kitchen talking and stuff, when we heard this major scrambling coming from inside the ceiling right above our heads. We know we have rats in the ceiling that we've not been able to do anything about, so we just joked that our rat friends were very active tonight. Suddenly the scrambling stopped and we were looking up at the ceiling when a snake appeared from the corner where there's this fuse box. I had never noticed this, but the plaster is cracked away above the fuse box and there's a hole there. You can't see it unless you actually stand outside the kitchen because the fuse box blocks it. So there we were, watching frozen in terror as this snake appeared and fell to the ground. Suddenly I just lost it and started screaming hysterically and made for the door. But in my terror, I couldn't get the door open, I just kept fumbling with the knob and screaming and Dennis was behind me trying to help and we were just interfering with each other and I was more afraid than I'd ever been in my life. Suddenly we got the door open and I ran out into the road and screamed some more and neighbours started appearing. But Dennis was still inside and I kept yelling at him to get the hell out of there. But he said he better keep an eye on it to make sure it didn't get into the rest of the house. The snake went under the fridge and Dennis got this Burmese sword that we have and I ran to the neighbour's and between hysterical hyperventilations, got the message across about what was happening. So the neighbour and her husband, their 2 dinner guests and their maid ran over to our house all bearing various gardening implements. Dennis and the neighbour's husband ended up coaxing the snake out from under the fridge after the maid sprayed a bunch of bug killer under there. They pretty much squished the head and Dennis stabbed it with the sword and took it out on the road. First we thought it was dead but it was still moving. A car came along and we hoped it would drive over it but it missed. So the maid beat on it with a stick a whole bunch and when everyone decided it was good and dead, she stuffed it down the sewer grate. The neighbour lady told me that the maid had thought that Dennis was beating me up because I was screaming so much. Apparently she was peeking out the window trying to see over here to see what was going on. I guess that kind of thing might be common place over here in Thailand but I'm a little offended that she would think Dennis would do such a thing. She's our maid too and knows him! Everyone eventually went back to their houses. Dennis and I stuffed a whole bunch of steel wool pot scrubbers in the hole in the ceiling. Tomorrow we will get that spray foam stuff and spray it up there. And we'll keep the kitchen door closed tight tonight. Still I don't know how well I'll sleep :-( I may need a drink. Oh, and tomorrow I'm calling the landlord and telling him to take his rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Was this a poisonous snake???? Or did anyone ever bother to identify it before killing it? I know there are a lot of hazardous-to-humans snakes in your area, but still, some ID would be best before killing it. It might have been harmeless, and could very well have dispatched the rodent problem in your ceiling/attic area. I always try to identify a snake before fleeing - but some people have phobias, which I understand... my brother is one - I remember a story he emialed me ages ago, not too long after hi & family moved to rural New Mexico (about 40+/- miles east of Albuqeurqeu). The entire family had gone for an 'exploring walk' through their area (gravel & dirt roads until you get to the "main" highway), and upon return, kids went to play in the yard, while by bro entered the house through the garage. There was a 6+ foot long snake in the garage, between him and the door to the kitchen. Bro hollered for his wife (no snake phobia in her) while he did what he described as his "anti-snake dance" around the perimiter of the garage until he got to the kitchen door - where upon he promtly exited the garage. All he remembers of the snake after that is seeing his wife releasing it just outside their yard - she had aparently just walked right up to it and captured it (a-la- Jeff Corwin, san's 'snake-stick'), and calmly carried it out back. It was one of the many species of King snakes - non-venomous. And I have pictures of my bro from back in the mid-1960's in Oklahoma, at a zoo holding a 6+ foot *rattlesnake* - devenomed, and probably defanged to boot. This snake was longer than my bro (about 5-6 years old at the time) was tall! >> Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. >> I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but >> now I know it's totally true. >> It's the King's birthday here and Dennis and I were out for dinner at [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> anything about, so we just joked that our rat friends were very >> active tonight. Suddenly the scrambling stopped and we were looking >> up at the ceiling when a snake appeared from the corner where >> there's this fuse box. I had never noticed this, but the plaster is >> cracked away above the fuse box and there's a hole there. You can't >> see it unless you actually stand outside the kitchen because the >> fuse box blocks it. So there we were, watching frozen in terror as >> this snake appeared and fell to the ground. Suddenly I just lost it >> and started screaming hysterically and made for the door. But in my >> terror, I couldn't get the door open, I just kept fumbling with the >> knob and screaming and Dennis was behind me trying to help and we >> were just interfering with each other and I was more afraid than I'd >> ever been in my life. Suddenly we got the door open and I ran out >> into the road and screamed some more and neighbours started >> appearing. But Dennis was still inside and I kept yelling at him to >> get the hell out of there. But he said he better keep an eye on it >> to make sure it didn't get into the rest of the house. The snake >> went under the fridge and Dennis got this Burmese sword that we have >> and I ran to the neighbour's and between hysterical >> hyperventilations, got the message across about what was happening. >> So the neighbour and her husband, their 2 dinner guests and their >> maid ran over to our house all bearing various gardening implements. >> Dennis and the neighbour's husband ended up coaxing the snake out >> from under the fridge after the maid sprayed a bunch of bug killer [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > phobias, which I understand... my brother is one - I remember a story > he emialed me ages ago, not too long after hi & family moved to rural > New Mexico (about 40+/- miles east of Albuqeurqeu). The entire > family had gone for an 'exploring walk' through their area (gravel & > dirt roads until you get to the "main" highway), and upon return, > kids went to play in the yard, while by bro entered the house through > the garage. There was a 6+ foot long snake in the garage, between > him and the door to the kitchen. Bro hollered for his wife (no snake > phobia in her) while he did what he described as his "anti-snake > dance" around the perimiter of the garage until he got to the kitchen > door - where upon he promtly exited the garage. All he remembers of > the snake after that is seeing his wife releasing it just outside > their yard - she had aparently just walked right up to it and > captured it (a-la- Jeff Corwin, san's 'snake-stick'), and calmly > carried it out back. It was one of the many species of King snakes - > non-venomous. And I have pictures of my bro from back in the > mid-1960's in Oklahoma, at a zoo holding a 6+ foot *rattlesnake* - > devenomed, and probably defanged to boot. This snake was longer than > my bro (about 5-6 years old at the time) was tall! Neither me nor Dennis has a clue about what kind of snake it was. One neighbour lady that came along said that it will make your flesh rot if it bites you. Good enough for me. Frankly, I don't care either way. There's no way I could have lived in the house with a snake in the ceiling, even if it was not poisonous. I just shudder to think what I would have done if Dennis had been gone at work. He's leaving on Wednesday. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Wow. I would have probably been just about as bad. I'm glad Vino didn't try and get the snake! > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Wow. I would have probably been just about as bad. I'm glad Vino didn't > try > and get the snake! Agreed. I'm normally not one to kill snakes on sight because locally I recognize our two poisonous common snakes. The others are free to go. But Thailand is tropical and tends to have some of the deadliest snakes in existance. I'd say that's enough for me to maintain a zero tolerance policy :) http://www.siam-info.de/english/snakes_poisonous.html Gracecat > But Thailand is tropical and tends to have some of the deadliest > snakes in existance. I'd say that's enough for me to maintain a zero > tolerance policy :) I got the feeling from Britta's post that venom wasn't the main issue. It sounded more like a visceral, and not especially logical, phobic reaction. Is that true, Britta? In which case, it wouldn't have mattered even if they were certain it wasn't poisonous. I know about ice cold, paralyzing terror. I have totally different phobias from Britta (or used to have them - I haven't had a panic attack in many years, yay!), but I have had the experience of waking up in a terror and not being able to move, not even willing to reach my hand out from under the covers to turn on the bedside lamp. (While I'm on that subject, let me make this post on-topic by telling the story of a cat who once pulled me through just such a moment of terror. Does anyone remember Skylab? That satellite that went out of orbit and was going to fall to earth sometime in the summer of 1979? People knew it was going to happen weeks or months in advance, and many were worried about what might happen because it wasn't all going to burn up in the atmosphere, and a lot of people could have gotten hurt if it fell on a populated area. Anyway, one night shortly before it fell, I woke up absolutely frozen with terror about Skylab. Maybe I having an nightmare about it, who knows. Around that time, I had recently taken in a stray mother cat and her 3 kittens, who were probably about a month old. There I was, lying on my back, too scared to move, turn on the light, or make a sound. All I could do was lie there, almost not daring to breathe, when suddenly I felt the pounce of the mother cat on my bed. She walked up the length of my body and stood on my chest, looking down at me. Then she began to lick my face. She just stood there, licking my cheeks, chin, neck, and ears, purring loudly. I don't know how long she did this, it seemed like half an hour or more. It totally calmed me down, and I relaxed enough to go back to sleep. But how did she know?? Maybe she smelled my fear? That was the only time she ever did anything like that with me, but I was so moved by it. After that I always thought she was a very special cat. And as for Skylab, as Vicky will probably remember, it hit the earth somewhere in the Australian outback.) Back to snakes - if I ever saw a snake in my house, I'd be worried sick about my cats. I live in an area where there are rattlesnakes, although I'm in a pretty urban part of town, and you don't get a lot of snakes ambling up the sidewalk. :) Northern California rattlesnake bites aren't life-threatening to a healthy adult human, as long as the person isn't too stupid to go get it treated. But it probably would be deadly to a cat, since they're so small. Joyce >(While I'm on that subject, let me make this post on-topic by telling >the story of a cat who once pulled me through just such a moment of terror. >Does anyone remember Skylab? That satellite that went out of orbit and >was going to fall to earth sometime in the summer of 1979? Your kitty was very sweet. I can understand that it would be terrifying having a satellite fall on you. But I'm sorry, "Skylab is falling" must be the most geeky phobia I have ever heard. :) > I'm sorry, "Skylab is > falling" must be the most geeky phobia I have ever heard. :) LOL!!! Thanks for the laugh. Actually, though, in context with other phobias, you would be able to see that I had a general preoccupation with disasters. I also worried about nuclear war and nuclear plant meltdowns and so forth. Well, maybe all of those are kind of geeky. :) Joyce > > But Thailand is tropical and tends to have some of the deadliest > > snakes in existance. I'd say that's enough for me to maintain a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > reaction. Is that true, Britta? In which case, it wouldn't have > mattered even if they were certain it wasn't poisonous. I was looking up at the source of the scuffling noise and suddenly a snake came out of my ceiling. It was surreal. The kitchen is tiny, maybe 8 feet square. The snake fell onto the floor maybe 6 feet from me. I cannot identify a single snake, I know nothing about them. I'm going to assume any snake I see is poisonous, even if there's a chance it isn't. Of course, I would have freaked too even if I would have known it wasn't poisonous. I'm glad Dennis remained calm enough to take care of the situation. I would have freaked even worse if the snake had gotten into the rest of the house and become "lost". Would have had to go to a hotel until it was found. Today Dennis went around and sprayed that spray foam into every single hole and crevace of the entire house. He nailed the window screens closed too. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Today Dennis went around and sprayed that spray foam into every single > hole and crevace of the entire house. He nailed the window screens > closed too. He's a keeper, that guy! :) Joyce > > Today Dennis went around and sprayed that spray foam into every > single > hole and crevace of the entire house. He nailed the window > screens > closed too. > > He's a keeper, that guy! :) > > Joyce That, he is :-) Mind you, he knows that I'd pack up and move into a hotel if it got too creepy to stay here while he was gone. He's also protecting his pocketbook ;-) -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Wow. I would have probably been just about as bad. I'm glad Vino didn't try > and get the snake! Of course, the snake could probably be blamed on the presence of the rats - I don't imagine Thai snakes are that much different from U.S. ones, in that respect. I remember the time my ex and I were camping, and encountered a very sleepy rattler stretched across a sunny footpath, digesting a rat. (As that big lump in his middle proved to be, after the men in our party dispatched him.) Poor snake, all he was doing was taking an after dinner nap - hardly worth dying for! >Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I >always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] >Oh, and tomorrow I'm calling the landlord and telling him to take his >rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine. OMG! Sounds like a Sherlock Holmes story1 The snake was probably up there gorging himself on rats, no? Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War >> Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. >> I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but >> now I know it's totally true. >> It's the King's birthday here and Dennis and I were out for dinner at >> the beach with friends. We got home and were just standing in the >> kitchen talking and stuff, when we heard this major scrambling coming >> from inside the ceiling right above our heads. >> We know we have rats in the ceiling that we've not been able to do >> anything about, so we just joked that our rat friends were very >> active tonight. Suddenly the scrambling stopped and we were looking >> up at the ceiling when a snake appeared from the corner where >> there's this fuse box. I had never noticed this, but the plaster is >> cracked away above the fuse box and there's a hole there. You can't >> see it unless you actually stand outside the kitchen because the >> fuse box blocks it. So there we were, watching frozen in terror as >> this snake appeared and fell to the ground. Suddenly I just lost it >> and started screaming hysterically and made for the door. But in my >> terror, I couldn't get the door open, I just kept fumbling with the >> knob and screaming and Dennis was behind me trying to help and we >> were just interfering with each other and I was more afraid than I'd >> ever been in my life. Suddenly we got the door open and I ran out >> into the road and screamed some more and neighbours started >> appearing. But Dennis was still inside and I kept yelling at him to >> get the hell out of there. But he said he better keep an eye on it >> to make sure it didn't get into the rest of the house. The snake >> went under the fridge and Dennis got this Burmese sword that we have >> and I ran to the neighbour's and between hysterical >> hyperventilations, got the message across about what was happening. >> So the neighbour and her husband, their 2 dinner guests and their >> maid ran over to our house all bearing various gardening implements. >> Dennis and the neighbour's husband ended up coaxing the snake out >> from under the fridge after the maid sprayed a bunch of bug killer >> under there. They pretty much squished the head and Dennis stabbed >> it with the sword and took it out on the road. >> First we thought it was dead but it was still moving. A car came >> along and we hoped it would drive over it but it missed. So the maid >> beat on it with a stick a whole bunch and when everyone decided it >> was good and dead, she stuffed it down the sewer grate. >> The neighbour lady told me that the maid had thought that Dennis was >> beating me up because I was screaming so much. Apparently she was >> peeking out the window trying to see over here to see what was going >> on. I guess that kind of thing might be common place over here in >> Thailand but I'm a little offended that she would think Dennis would >> do such a thing. She's our maid too and knows him! >> Everyone eventually went back to their houses. >> Dennis and I stuffed a whole bunch of steel wool pot scrubbers in the >> hole in the ceiling. Tomorrow we will get that spray foam stuff and >> spray it up there. And we'll keep the kitchen door closed tight >> tonight. Still I don't know how well I'll sleep :-( >> I may need a drink. >> Oh, and tomorrow I'm calling the landlord and telling him to take his >> rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine. > > OMG! Sounds like a Sherlock Holmes story1 The snake was probably up > there gorging himself on rats, no? Actually, it seems like the rats were after the snake. Dennis said the snake had a wound on it's tail as he came out of the ceiling and there was some blood next to the fridge. <shudder> Today is snake and rat proofing day at the badwilson residence! -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >Oh, and tomorrow I'm calling the landlord and telling him to take his >rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine. Excellent idea!! What's he going to do, evict you? That'll take a few months and by then, you'll be gone! Whew. What a scary moment. Jane > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine. > -- Wish I didn't know that feeling of ice cold bottom of the stomach complete terror, but I do. I was sunbathing in our back yard many years ago when my little dog set up an unholy rucas. There was a good sized snake slithering across the lawn towards me. I absolutely froze. Then broke and ran in a wide circle to get around the horror to get in the back door. Then had to go back out twice more to within a few feet of the monster, first to get the dog who was still yapping her fool head off a few feet away. And again to get the addlebrained cat who was even closer and all puffed up. I know now it wasn't a rattle snake. And I'm not even especially afraid of snakes. It was all the situation and I was completely terrified. Jo > > Oh, and tomorrow I'm calling the landlord and telling him to take his > > rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine. I like snakes, but I have a friend who is a herpetologist and she has several venomous species in her home--like spitting cobras and coral snakes. I remember getting this really weird feeling during lulls in the conversation, from the knowledge that I was going to spend the night below a roomful of venomous snakes. Her snakes are very cool as long as they are IN their cages I wouldn't freak if I found a snake in my house, but I don't think Nova Scotia has any venomous species. Thailand is something else again. Shame you couldn't've mailed your "visitor" to my friend. --Fil >> Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. >> I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but >> now I know it's totally true. >> It's the King's birthday here and Dennis and I were out for dinner at [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> anything about, so we just joked that our rat friends were very >> active tonight. Suddenly the scrambling stopped and we were looking >> up at the ceiling when a snake appeared from the corner where >> there's this fuse box. I had never noticed this, but the plaster is >> cracked away above the fuse box and there's a hole there. You can't >> see it unless you actually stand outside the kitchen because the >> fuse box blocks it. So there we were, watching frozen in terror as >> this snake appeared and fell to the ground. Suddenly I just lost it >> and started screaming hysterically and made for the door. But in my >> terror, I couldn't get the door open, I just kept fumbling with the >> knob and screaming and Dennis was behind me trying to help and we >> were just interfering with each other and I was more afraid than I'd >> ever been in my life. Suddenly we got the door open and I ran out >> into the road and screamed some more and neighbours started >> appearing. But Dennis was still inside and I kept yelling at him to >> get the hell out of there. But he said he better keep an eye on it >> to make sure it didn't get into the rest of the house. The snake >> went under the fridge and Dennis got this Burmese sword that we have >> and I ran to the neighbour's and between hysterical >> hyperventilations, got the message across about what was happening. >> So the neighbour and her husband, their 2 dinner guests and their >> maid ran over to our house all bearing various gardening implements. >> Dennis and the neighbour's husband ended up coaxing the snake out >> from under the fridge after the maid sprayed a bunch of bug killer [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > years ago when my little dog set up an unholy rucas. There was a > good sized snake slithering across the lawn towards me. I absolutely > froze. Then broke and ran in a wide circle to get around the horror > to get in the back door. Then had to go back out twice more to > within a few feet of the monster, first to get the dog who was still > yapping her fool head off a few feet away. And again to get the > addlebrained cat who was even closer and all puffed up. Yikes! > I know now it wasn't a rattle snake. And I'm not even especially > afraid of snakes. It was all the situation and I was completely > terrified. Yes, that's excactly it. I always knew I was afraid of snakes, but I didn't know that I would freeze up and get so hysterical. It's kind of worrysome knowing I reacted that way :-( -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Toppost. Oh . My. Goodness!!! I would have screamed the house down too, Britta! Thank goodness Dennis and your neighbours were there! And yes, I'd also be teling hte landlord to go shove his rent increase. *shudder* Yowie > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Toppost. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Yowie Last time I visited my parents, my dad and I went out to his garage, we were going to take a trip around the island in his golf cart. I spotted a coral striped snake slithering into the garage. Okay, coral snakes are extremely venomous. There was a 50/50 chance it was just a small kingsnake, but coral snakes are well known in the area. So Dad coaxed it out and then chopped it twain with a hand ax. I don't feel bad about it; we are not herpetologists and it was headed into their garage... we dumped the body of the snake on a vacant lot across the street. An hour later it was gone. Someone had picked it up. Odd. I DO hope it was not someone's pet kingsnake (it was a tiny snake, about 1 foot long) but if it was... well, I'm sorry. It freaked us out. Jill >> Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. >> I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] >> Check out pictures of Vino at: >> http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >> Toppost. >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > (it was a tiny snake, about 1 foot long) but if it was... well, I'm > sorry. It freaked us out. In order to be able to tell between a coral snake & a king of similar coloring, remember: Red touches yelllow, kills a fellow (as in the red and yellow bands will touch, as the yellow separates the red and black bands) http://www.wf.net/~snake/coral.htm Red touched black, it's OK, Jack (the red and black bands touch instead of red and yellow, as the black separates the red and yellow). http://www.kingsnake.com/king/triangulum/abnorma.html  SignatureThe ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)© email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep >>> Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. >>> I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, [quoted text clipped - 62 lines] >>> Check out pictures of Vino at: >>> http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >> Toppost. >> [quoted text clipped - 90 lines] >>> Check out pictures of Vino at: >>> http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Coral snakes are fairly common in this area. They are gorgeous but have highly toxic venom. On the other hand, they are also very small snakes. One of the men in our biology department told me that their fangs are so small that they only they could bite through flesh and inject venom is if they managed to find an area where the flesh is extremely thin (such as between the fingers if the the fingers are stretched open). Otherwise, he said, a person would also have to be willing to stand still while the little snake "gnawed" through skin. I would be fearful of being in the vicinity of large vipers such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, or water moccasins (all common here), but coral snakes do not bother me (although I would certainly give wide berth if I saw one, just to be extra-cautious). MaryL MaryL > Coral snakes are fairly common in this area. They are gorgeous but have > highly toxic venom. On the other hand, they are also very small snakes. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > MaryL I recall being told something like that about most of the poisonous snakes in Australia. It seems that almost all of them have very small teeth, so the chances of actually receiving a fatal bite from one of them are pretty small. Joy Don't they have a snake in the Thailand general area nick named the 3 step basically you take 3 steps and the venom is so toxic your dead. I know Australia has some of the most deadliest animals in the world How horrible! I'm glad everybody is ok. Best wishes, Polonca and Soncek > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the ceiling when a snake appeared from the corner where there's this > fuse box. <snip> > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing > terror. I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > we were looking up at the ceiling when a snake appeared from the > corner where there's this fuse box. <snip> AAKK!! I can't imagine that! Hopefully that's the last until you get to move. BTW, the King's birthday? I don't know anything about the hierarchy in Thailand, but is that who you refer to? 'Scuse my ignorance. LOL SignatureCheryl >> Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing >> terror. I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > the hierarchy in Thailand, but is that who you refer to? 'Scuse my > ignorance. LOL I am counting down the days until we get out of here. It's not really Thailand per se, I know Australia has some bad snakes too. But it's this damn house. Of course there's no point in moving now for only a few months. We had planned to get a much better house if we didn't get the Aussie visa. But when we got it, we knew we were leaving soon and decided to stay in this house until then. Aaargh, I hate it!!! Thailand has a King, he's more of a figurehead, like the Queen of England, but he is extremely well loved and adored by all. The whole country celebrates, no alcohol is served all day, etc. I can't remember now how old he is, I think it's around 78. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > above the fuse box and there's a hole there. You can't see it unless > you actually stand outside the kitchen because the fuse box blocks it. <snip> -- > Britta > "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album I once saw a snake come out of a tiny little break in the mortar of my chimney. Like you, I had never noticed it because it was so small. On the other hand, the snake was also small. I grabbed a pair of long-handled kitchen tongs and carefully caught the snake behind the head (didn't injure it). I took it outside and left it go, then came back in and immediately filled in the hole (and also sterilized the tongs before using them again for food). I think the snake somehow came down between the brick chimney and the flue that lines it. MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: >'o'< Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e > I once saw a snake come out of a tiny little break in the mortar of my > chimney. Like you, I had never noticed it because it was so small. On [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > using them again for food). I think the snake somehow came down between > the brick chimney and the flue that lines it. I think we all have snake stories. I sure do. As a child I used to catch common garden snakes and hide them in the house where my mother would find them, knowing she would react as Britta did. I thought it was hugely amusing. I like all snakes and have never feared them. Usually if I see a live one on a road I will stop and move it out of harm's way. Any snake including venomous snakes as long as they are not the aggressive type can be picked up provided you do not frighten them. Just move very slowly - like, less than an inch per second - and take hold of it by the back of the head, then take the rest of the body with your other hand. I remember one time my neighbor across the street came running over screaming about a snake on her living room window (outside). I went over and removed it for her. Some kind of great big thing, I've never seen another like it. And one of my RB kitties, Cotton, knew of my fondness for snakes and would bring me one just about every day, he never harmed them, not even a tiny puncture wound, and he'd lay the snake at my feet to admire. Then I would take it back out into the forest and let it go. It seemed like he always looked for a new type of snake to show me, rarely did he bring the same type repeatedly. One good thing to know about venomous snakes is that most of them even if they bite you will do very little harm. They will have very little in the venom sacks if they have recently caught prey. The purpose of the venom is to paralyze the prey so it can be eaten. It is not there for "self-defense". > As a child I used to catch common garden snakes and hide them in > the house where my mother would find them, knowing she would react > as Britta did. I thought it was hugely amusing. Weren't you a little brat! I hope your mom has forgiven you for that! > I like all snakes and have never feared them. I do, too. I did used to fear them when I was much younger, but have grown to really like them a lot. Of course, if I saw an unfamiliar snake in an area where I know there are venomous snakes, that would make me nervous. But I don't fear them in that creepy-crawly way. If I know a snake isn't dangerous, I am happy to touch it, hold it, coo over it (which I'm sure is very meaningful to a snake). > Usually if I see a live one on > a road I will stop and move it out of harm's way. Good for you! Joyce >I think we all have snake stories. I sure do. As a child I used to catch >common garden snakes and hide them in the house where my mother would find >them, knowing she would react as Britta did. I thought it was hugely >amusing. You were an EVIL child. Funny, but evil. Your poor mother. lol Most of my childhood was spent in a very old farmhouse - like 200 yrs old OLD. Lots of holes and stuff. We had a snake (common garden variety) that lived under the stove. We also had cats. Between them, the mouse population was kept down to a manageable level. Now, my mother had grown up in the Big City, but she took to country living like a fish to water. She was not afraid of snakes, or at least That Snake, and used to refer to him as The Kitchen Snake. Drove her friends crazy. She just said that he kept the mice down, and as long as he stayed out from underfoot when she was in the kitchen, he was welcome to it. lol There were times when my mother was really cool. Jane > One good thing to know about venomous snakes is that most of them even if > they bite you will do very little harm. They will have very little in the > venom sacks if they have recently caught prey. The purpose of the venom is > to paralyze the prey so it can be eaten. It is not there for > "self-defense". I've heard that with the local cottonmouths and copperheads. They have the ability to determine how much vemon they want to pump into a bite. Not sure how true that is, I wish I could find the reference. But it may be little or big enough to land you in the hospital. > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but > now I know it's totally true. ......> Britta That would be unnerving for sure. Was it a poisonous snake? It was probably helping you solve your rat problem. It sounds like a good example of being careful what you ask for because you just might get it. (grin) Or, from the snake's point of view, no good deed goes unpunished. Annie > I may need a drink. No kidding! So Britta, what is scarier, a big bad snake or a swarm of moths? ;-) SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com >> I may need a drink. > > No kidding! So Britta, what is scarier, a big bad snake or a swarm of > moths? ;-) Thanks for the visual, Victor. You know how hard it is to type from the fetal position?!?! ;-) -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >> I may need a drink. > > No kidding! So Britta, what is scarier, a big bad snake or a swarm of > moths? ;-) That was mean, Victor, don't make things worse for Britta. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk HOLY CRAP!!!! I'm usually ok with snake and spiders and stuff, provided that they don't sneak up on me Coming out of the ceiling would definitely freak me out to a degree. Yeah Identifying a snake is important, but i totally agree that since you're in Thailand unless you really know, it's better not to take the risk. Hope you feel better, Kristi > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the ceiling when a snake appeared from the corner where there's this > fuse box. <snip> Sorry Britta, I know this must have been scary, but I still couldn't help giggling at the mayhem. I really hope you'll be able to giggle at it too before too long! After all, you're moving to AUSTRALIA and planning to LIVE IN THE COUNTRY! er... this probably won't be your last snake by a long shot. >> Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. >> I always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but >> now I know it's totally true. >> It's the King's birthday here and Dennis and I were out for dinner at [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> anything about, so we just joked that our rat friends were very >> active tonight. Suddenly the scrambling stopped and we were looking >> up at the ceiling when a snake appeared from the corner where >> there's this fuse box. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > After all, you're moving to AUSTRALIA and planning to LIVE IN THE > COUNTRY! er... this probably won't be your last snake by a long shot. Yeah, I know... But I'm already telling Dennis that the house we build will be a freakin' fortress! THERE WILL BE NO SNAKES IN THE CEILING!!! I suppose the fact that we found a discarded snake skin behind the dresser when we first moved in was an omen of things to come. But when there was no sign of snakes in the house for the next 4 years, we kind of forgot about it. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > Oh, and tomorrow I'm calling the landlord and telling him to take his > rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine. Poor snake. I'm glad you're all OK though. Did Vino see the snake? SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk ~~Oh, and tomorrow I'm calling the landlord and telling him to take his rent increase and stuff it where the sun don't shine.~~ You can always suggest that he take out life insurance policies on his pets if he wants extra cash. I'm sure you two aren't the only tenants of his who've been in that boat. Land Lords tend to have similar situations across the board. Cheers, Azy! "Unfortunately, in the world of so-called humanity, most people operate on a supremely critical level. Even the "outsiders" maintain an air of pretentiousness." ~Mr. Fleez. www.housecatwisdom.blogspot.com > Ok, I now know the feeling of complete and utter paralyzing terror. I > always laughed at how they show people freeze up in the movies, but > now I know it's totally true. > So there we were, watching frozen in terror as this snake appeared and > fell to the ground. Suddenly I just lost it and started screaming > hysterically and made for the door. But in my terror, I couldn't get > the door open, I just kept fumbling with the knob and screaming and > Dennis was behind me trying to help and we were just interfering with > each other and I was more afraid than I'd ever been in my life. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKK!!!! Susan M Otis and Chester |
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