Snake

Posted by Jennifer Sandru on April 21, 2006

Q: I live in Northwest Ohio and saw a 2 foot long, silver/gray snake in my mulch bed...scared the heck out of me when I went to do some weeding! Should I worry? Will it eat my shubunkins?

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Ohio

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: It sounds like you saw a Blue Racer to me. There are images and a description at www.dnr.state.oh.us . Racers are harmless, active predators — they eat mostly rodents, insects, reptiles and amphibians, birds, and eggs. I doubt they will go into the water to chase fish, as they are not especially aquatic.

Solon Morse ( April 24, 2006)