I encountered my very first snake several years ago, at the then-DH's house, sunbathing in a Sago Palm. I quickly snapped a pic, posted it on this thread to inquire, and learned it was an Eastern Hognose, known for "playing dead," but, most importantly, for keeping down the rodent population.
I left it alone, since it was a "bennie" (beneficial), and was so excited to show it to the DH when he came home. The DH promptly grabbed a shovel, and damn near took down the whole Sago Palm trying to kill the sleeping snake. He confirmed it was an Eastern Hognose when he told me he had killed another one just like it, and "that son of a gun tried to play dead..."
Shortly thereafter, the property was being overrun by rats and mice...He had killed every one that had been on patrol...
I have long since learned to live in harmony with the "bennies," and respect the right of the "baddies" to go their way, while I go mine... No harm, no foul...
