I saw one just outside my fenced yard...and all I could think is OMG, red-and-yellow-kill-a-fellow! Went to get a shovel and couldn't find it when I got back! You gotta understand in our fairly dry inhospitable climate there aren't many poisonous snakes around...one of the advantages of this area. So, after the drought that drove them to more inhabited areas (the only water came from faucets) and La Nino that gave them lots of rain for a while so they could reproduce...well, it's kind of scary to see the poisonous snakes here. Geez, can't have these around!

We had one in the front yard a couple of yrs ago. I posted a pic on DG of both pieces of it, and got into a firestorm with those who don't want anyone to harm a snake. I wrote that we had a small grandson that played in that yard.And further tried to explain that he wouldn't even know that it was a snake. 'Just figure it was a pretty rope of some kind. It was definitely a coral. And we'd do the same thing to his siblings if they slithered into the yard.....

I'm with you, Linda! They're a beautiful snake.....but I don't want them reproducing near my abode....mainly because of my 4 legged kids.
when Dee & I 1st moved here ( about 12 yrs ago)....I found one crossing our back yard....maybe 15 ft from the back door....and haven;t seen one... on our property.... since then. Thinkin' about it,....for a moment,...I'm guessing (conservatively)....we've averaged, at least,...3 copperheads a year.......so at least 30 CH's since we've been here....one coral snake,....no rattlers,....3 - 4 cottonmouths