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Re: Snake in NBA locker room
I was watching that game. Even people I work with that know nothing about reptiles laughed at the Blazers for claiming the snake in the picture was a three or four foot Rattlesnake. It looked like a juvie rat snake to me, last years baby. The Blazers exaggerated (lied) and the media (surprise surprise) ran with it. Apparently getting ready for a playoff game isn't exciting enough for these drama queens, they felt the need to drum up some controversy. One of two things happened here, either these adult men were scared of a tiny baby reptile, which is pathetic, or they pretended to be scared to pick up some twitter followers, equally pathetic. Either way they just wanted attention. The shape and size of the animals head and body are clearly that of a North American Rat Snake. Its pattern, color and the markings on its head are a dead on match for a young Great Plains Rat Snake, AKA Emory's Rat snake. With how much space there is between the saddles its possible it's a Texas Rat Snake but the picture is very low quality and its hard to tell. By the way I find it very hard to believe none of those guys were able to get a better shot of the snake. You know every one of them had their phone in hand. Both Emory's and Texas rat snakes are common in the San Antonio area. The snake is very thin and its back appears to come to a sharp peak suggesting the animal is dehydrated and was likely in the building looking for water, again consistent with a rats snakes behavior, not something rattlesnakes are known for. I have found many rat snakes in and on buildings, including my own house and the shop where I work. I have found plenty rattlesnakes in sheds and abandoned buildings but in 20+ years of herping I've never found one in a building inhabited by humans. The Trail Blazers trainer who caught the snake said it was non-poisonous (don't get me started) and around 18 inches long, and the Spurs staff have since confirmed that it was not a rattlesnake. Grinds my gears, you know?
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