Thursday, May 1, 2025

Communing with Pantherophis obsoleta

 At Panola Mountain, a 5-foot rat snake was sunning itself on the bicycle path. The snake was sluggish and seemed to be enjoying the warmth of the sun on the concrete.

Naturalists should avoid anthropomorphism. They certainly should not hear snake voices. But I’ve been removing English ivy from the woods behind the house, and the rat snake reminded me that I might meet his kin when I’m knee deep in ivy.

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