Photo: L. Montgomery, May 8, 2010, 12:45 PM. Snake Under the 2 Freeway on Rosebud Ave. (Click on photo to enlarge.)This afternoon, while driving under the 2 Freeway on Rosebud, neighbors spotted a 3 - 4' long snake crossing the road. L. Montgomery shot this photo with a cell phone. Montgomery writes in an email, "When it saw us it curled up and I think it was trying to shake his/her tail. Don't worry, this pic isn't taken very close."
Gopher snakes will curl up and shake their tails when threatened, imitating rattlesnakes. Because the lighting conditions are poor under the 2 Freeway, it's hard to tell what kind of snake this is. It is most likely a gopher snake.
If you come across a snake, it's best to leave it alone (after you snap a few photos for us). Both rattlesnakes and gopher snakes help control the rodent population. In the past, rattlesnakes have been reported on the Corralitas end of the Red Car Property.
For a good photo index of snakes see: www.CaliforniaHerps.com.
Send us your photos and stories of neighborhood wildlife encounters: redcarproperty@gmail.com. Do not attempt to feed or pet wildlife.
