How to Relocate a Black Snake
Black snakes reside in the southeastern United States. These snakes, grouped by their color and head shapes, include the black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), the black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta), the red-bellied mud snake (Farancia abacura), the black racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) and the Eastern indigo (Drymarchon couperi). While these snakes and others may be categorized as "black snakes," the black racer and the Eastern indigo are most synonymous with the title. These nonvenomous snakes cut down on the rodent population in an area. Instead of killing any black snake you find in your garden or near your home, remove and relocate it safely.
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Things You'll Need
- Heavy work gloves
- Snake tongs
- 5-gallon bucket with lid
- Tie-down or bungee cords
Instructions
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Put on the work gloves. Approach the black snake with caution, preferably from behind, so you can get a better grip with the snake tongs.
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2
Hold the snake tongs firmly and place the gripping end of the tongs behind the head of the snake. To ensure a proper grip, grasp the snake between the head and the neck. Grasping directly at either the head or the neck can harm the snake and not grip it firmly enough to hold it in place.
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3
Squeeze the tongs firmly to hold the snake and immediately lift it up and over the 5-gallon bucket.
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4
Release the grip on the snake tongs and quickly place the lid on the bucket pressing down until it snaps into place. Don't attempt to pin down the snake with the tongs. Pinning or holding down will anger the snake and give it ample reason to strike and bite.
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5
Carry or transport the bucket to another location. When transferring the snake in a vehicle, keep the container in an upright position and strapped into place using tie-down straps or bungee cords.
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6
Loosen the 5-gallon bucket lid when you reach the desired location. Lay the bucket on its side and use the snake tongs or a large stick to push the lid from the bucket, while holding the bottom of the bucket steady with one hand.
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7
Allow the snake to slither out of the bucket and discover its new home, while standing back at a safe distance.
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