Rat snakes

Wolfie · 08-07-2008, 02:00 AM

Found one in my barn today trying to go into Wolfie's stall.

He wasn't very big, maybe three feet long.

I don't like snakes AT ALL, but I know that they're part of nature yada yada and they eat mice and bugs, so they're good to havearound. But not in my horse's stall! Of course hubby wasn't around, so I had to take care of it myself. I couldn't kill it for the aforementioned reason, so I grabbed his tail WITH MY HAND (someone reassure me they're not poisonous and don't have teeth, right!) and pulled him out and threw him outside. No big deal, besides the gross factor.

When I came back I noticed the horses (Wolfie and Phoebe, especially) acting strange and snorting and staring at me. I couldn't figure out why. I went to pet Wolfie on the nose and he ran to the back of his stall. Then I smelled my hand--it STUNK really bad!

It smelled kind of like a skunk.

So, do rat snakes have musk? That's just one more reason not to like them, not that I need any more...

Kingpin · 08-07-2008, 03:33 AM

I have found that snakes do have a particular odor. I think that is why horses know they are there before we do sometimes. You are brave to have done that most people would have chopped it up to little pieces. It is just the yuck factor. But they are part of nature. Have a great day!

Chic · 08-07-2008, 07:31 AM

Most snakes will put out a "musk" when they are scared. It does stink and can be hard to get off your hands... lemon juice or even orange juice works the best if your soap doesn't work.

David · 08-07-2008, 07:46 AM

Yes, many snakes do have a musk or scent that they put off not only when they are scared but anytime that we would think of as an "adrenaline moment", I know I have smelled copperheads before seeing them. Never noticed the musk on a rat snake but you can bet the horses knew what it was.

To add to chic's washing suggestions, tomato juice also works very well. I guess anything that is fairly acidic would work, but I know tomato juice will take the skunk musk off within minutes.

sweetwaterarabians · 08-07-2008, 08:05 AM

Oh gosh, there's no way I'd grab one by the tail. You were lucky he didn't turn around and bite you. They still hurt when they bite. When I'm moving a non-poisonous snake. I find something to mash their head down and then grab them behind their head and carry them off. The musky stuff comes out the back towards the tail which is probably how you got it on you. Eww, it is gross and oh so hard to wash off. Even the little innocent green snakes do it. To me is smells like the worst sour rag you can imagine but maybe each type of snake is different.
It is good you didn't kill him because they are great around the barn. Much better than finding a poisonous one.

Texas Paints N Arabs · 08-07-2008, 10:19 AM

I have also heard that if you take some regular table salt and rub it into your hands well and then lemon juice and then rinse off well it helps take out stubborn smells from your hands as well. Kinda like a salt scrub for your hands.
You handled the situation better than me! I would have ran and grabbed a shovel, would not have been able to touch it! EWWWWWW, just nasty!

ToveroMom · 08-07-2008, 12:13 PM

Yep I use ketchup and salt to make a soapy scrub. I ALWAYS have ketchup-not always so much with the juices LOL
Snakes do stink.

Wolfie · 08-08-2008, 01:26 AM

I thought I was crazy, or maybe the snake got sprayed by a skunk!
Next time I WILL use a shovel.

Horses&Soccer · 08-08-2008, 05:29 AM

Yep, they can really stink. I don't know who told you they don't have teeth, they don't have fangs, but they can still leave a painful bite that really itches afterward. (yeah, I'm speaking from experience, we had a pet Rat snake). Also when really scared they roll over, dislocate their jaws, play dead, and empty their bowel and bladder - really stinky. They are non-poisonous/non-venomous and are excellent varmint snakes, great to have around. Use a shovel and a pillowcase and relocate it.

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08-07-2008, 02:00 AM
Wolfie Coming two Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 1,547	Rat snakes Found one in my barn today trying to go into Wolfie's stall. He wasn't very big, maybe three feet long. I don't like snakes AT ALL, but I know that they're part of nature yada yada and they eat mice and bugs, so they're good to havearound. But not in my horse's stall! Of course hubby wasn't around, so I had to take care of it myself. I couldn't kill it for the aforementioned reason, so I grabbed his tail WITH MY HAND (someone reassure me they're not poisonous and don't have teeth, right!) and pulled him out and threw him outside. No big deal, besides the gross factor. When I came back I noticed the horses (Wolfie and Phoebe, especially) acting strange and snorting and staring at me. I couldn't figure out why. I went to pet Wolfie on the nose and he ran to the back of his stall. Then I smelled my hand--it STUNK really bad! It smelled kind of like a skunk. So, do rat snakes have musk? That's just one more reason not to like them, not that I need any more...

08-07-2008, 03:33 AM
Kingpin Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancaster, Ky Posts: 444	I have found that snakes do have a particular odor. I think that is why horses know they are there before we do sometimes. You are brave to have done that most people would have chopped it up to little pieces. It is just the yuck factor. But they are part of nature. Have a great day!

08-07-2008, 07:31 AM
Chic Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226	Most snakes will put out a "musk" when they are scared. It does stink and can be hard to get off your hands... lemon juice or even orange juice works the best if your soap doesn't work. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

08-07-2008, 07:46 AM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,066	Yes, many snakes do have a musk or scent that they put off not only when they are scared but anytime that we would think of as an "adrenaline moment", I know I have smelled copperheads before seeing them. Never noticed the musk on a rat snake but you can bet the horses knew what it was. To add to chic's washing suggestions, tomato juice also works very well. I guess anything that is fairly acidic would work, but I know tomato juice will take the skunk musk off within minutes. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey.

08-07-2008, 08:05 AM
sweetwaterarabians Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Waynesboro, TN Posts: 398	Oh gosh, there's no way I'd grab one by the tail. You were lucky he didn't turn around and bite you. They still hurt when they bite. When I'm moving a non-poisonous snake. I find something to mash their head down and then grab them behind their head and carry them off. The musky stuff comes out the back towards the tail which is probably how you got it on you. Eww, it is gross and oh so hard to wash off. Even the little innocent green snakes do it. To me is smells like the worst sour rag you can imagine but maybe each type of snake is different. It is good you didn't kill him because they are great around the barn. Much better than finding a poisonous one. __________________ Sweetwater Arabians & Web Design

08-07-2008, 10:19 AM
Texas Paints N Arabs Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,186	I have also heard that if you take some regular table salt and rub it into your hands well and then lemon juice and then rinse off well it helps take out stubborn smells from your hands as well. Kinda like a salt scrub for your hands. You handled the situation better than me! I would have ran and grabbed a shovel, would not have been able to touch it! EWWWWWW, just nasty! __________________ Horses help take us to a place which we cannot reach by ourselves

08-07-2008, 12:13 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,300	Yep I use ketchup and salt to make a soapy scrub. I ALWAYS have ketchup-not always so much with the juices LOL Snakes do stink. __________________ "In America,anyone can be President. That is one of the chances you take" Adlai Stevenson

08-08-2008, 01:26 AM
Wolfie Coming two Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 1,547	I thought I was crazy, or maybe the snake got sprayed by a skunk! Next time I WILL use a shovel.

08-08-2008, 05:29 AM
Horses&Soccer Started Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Warrenton, MO Posts: 2,793	Yep, they can really stink. I don't know who told you they don't have teeth, they don't have fangs, but they can still leave a painful bite that really itches afterward. (yeah, I'm speaking from experience, we had a pet Rat snake). Also when really scared they roll over, dislocate their jaws, play dead, and empty their bowel and bladder - really stinky. They are non-poisonous/non-venomous and are excellent varmint snakes, great to have around. Use a shovel and a pillowcase and relocate it. __________________ When life gives you lemons - find someone to throw them at!