This afternoon, just after the latest thunderstorm failed to deliver its nourishing rains to our parched, Littleton farm, I was called to the backyard to see a rattlesnake. My five year-old grandson wanted me to pick it up so he could feel its back.
Not surprisingly, the rattlesnake turned out to be a rather large garter snake, its mid-section swollen from a recent meal. We watched as he slithered into the nearby shrubs and I pointed out a few features that excluded his initial identification.
Such teaching opportunities come along on a regular basis here on the farm and I relish the chance to instill both knowledge and natural etiquette during these encounters. Today, I was able to teach him about garter snakes (including their physical traits, diet and behavior) while also encouraging him to watch the reptile from a safe and non-threatening distance. He'll surely remember the experience and, hopefully, retain a healthy respect for our wild neighbors.
