We have copper heads and cotton mouths. Both not good to tangle with, but we rarely see them anymore b/c western PA'rs will try to kill them on sight.
It must be toad time b/c another toad turned up in my garden day before yesterday. I was digging out a hardy kiwi that had sent its roots down thru the pot. As I lifted up the plant, had a shock as something jump out into the undergrowth. Thought it was a baby rabbit so I investigated (did not want to kill a nest if it was there). Turns out it was a big, old toad. Now, I've had problems with the monsters turning serial killer of my semp collection, so I put him in a big nursery pot and gave him to the neighbor's 5 kids (4 girls and one 6 yo Dennis the menace). Lot's of squeals and discussion ensued. My pot was returned in the morning and no sign of the toad except for some dried toad pee in the bottom of the pot. I think Dennis might have ate him. If Mr. Toad survived the experience, I'm sure there is a dust trail from him leaving town in a hurry.
Robins don't ever go near those kids and even skunks stay out of their yard!
Oh, one more thing, speaking of snakes. I got a cheap wooden snake at a dollar store a couple of years ago. You know, the kind that is a bunch of wooden disks strung together so it wiggles lifelike. I move it from place to place every couple of days, perching it in a tree or on a bush where the tree rats can see it. Don't know how well it works, but I enjoy it. Snakes in the garden are not all bad especially if they like to eat robins.
