My encounter with a snake...........

[bcipam]

Sounds like a gopher snake (usually quite large, light beige with dark brown diamondback coloring). Big question; Why was it striking at you? Most snakes, even rattlers, are very non-agressive towards humans... did you run over it and wound it and it was hurt and scared? Are you sure you killed it - I would hate to see the snake crawl off severely wounded and left to die in pain (although it will tend become a good snack for an owl or raptor).

Sorry as you can tell I like snakes and hate to see even one injured. If you ride trail alot I would suggest you and your husband educate yourself in the local snakes and what to do when one is encountered. Most snakes are non-poisoness and will not harm humans (unless provoked). I do admit I'm not familiar with Southern snakes and it might been a poisoness snake that's not a rattler.

My best friend has a severe snake phobia so I understand how encountered one is frightening. We are working on her phobia and education is one way. Now that she is able to ID snakes, she doesn't freak out as much. Her fear of course is encountering a poisoness snake (ie a rattler) so now she knows most snakes we find are either gopher or king snakes, some rat snakes and racers. We seldom, if ever, see a rattler.