I was out walking the dogs and saw what looked like a Chinese rat snake. Same colouring and about 1 meter long.

As I got close it went very still, apart from raising the last couple of inches of its tail and waggling it at me like a rattlesnake, but without the rattle.

It did this every time I went close, it was obviously a defensive mechanism but I can't imagine why. It had every chance to scarper off into the undergrowth but chose to waggle instead.

I have seen lots of rat snakes and never observed this sort of behaviour before, anyone any ideas?

Gator

Rat snakes, when agitated, will shake their tails vigorously.

Im guessing if it was really pissed off at you it may have appeared that its entire body was shaking.

Rat snakes, when agitated, will shake their tails vigorously.

Im guessing if it was really pissed off at you it may have appeared that its entire body was shaking.

Thanks for the explanation. I learn something new everyday! Is it just Rat snakes that do this?

Well, I dunno, I havent heard of it before, I mean all snakes, actually all living things display certain signs when they become agitated & I don't mean like human beings mouthing off at each other, I mean things like when adrenaline pumps, stuff that can't be controlled or isnt easy to be controlled. Its like when a horse gets agitated, they normally drop their ears back, they all do it.

I just read a description on the rat snake that stated rat snakes are often mistaken for rattle snakes because when they vibrate their bodies like you described and when they do it in dried foalage (leaves etc) they sound very similar to a rattlesnake.

Anyway, I'm surprised the Rat snake did this straight away, normally they try to flee the scene before they become agitated, either you startled it or someone or something had just stirred it up before hand. They can be a real bastard of a thing because often when they bite they don't like to let go easily & can leave a fairly decent sort of puncture wound.

What if Gator was standing next to newly laid snake eggs? Aren't snakes more aggressive and protective when their future babies are in danger?

What if Gator was standing next to newly laid snake eggs? Aren't snakes more aggressive and protective when their future babies are in danger?

I think that one of the dogs spooked it. I always know when there is a snake around as the dogs usually carry out a reverse leap when they spot one.

I know nothing about rattlesnakes but from what I have seen on TV this rat snake was certainly doing a good impression!

The most surprising thing (for me) about this incident is that some time ago we had a large one in the garden which had half swallowed a toad, my Terrier made it disgorge it and although the snake was clearly upset (the toad wasn't too impressed) it did not waggle its tail at all.

Generally in my experience, snakes prefer to remain unseen - they will lie still if caught in the open and avoid moving as movement gives there presence away. As you were paying attention to the snake I would guess that the next level of defence would be to lure any attack from you towards a non-critical part of the snake's body, i.e. the tail. Leaving the mouth end free to defend itself with a bite to you.

.....real bastard of a thing because often when they bite they don't like to let go easily & can leave a fairly decent sort of puncture wound.

I have a picture of their fangs if you would like to see what you avoided.

Generally in my experience, snakes prefer to remain unseen - they will lie still if caught in the open and avoid moving as movement gives there presence away. As you were paying attention to the snake I would guess that the next level of defence would be to lure any attack from you towards a non-critical part of the snake's body, i.e. the tail. Leaving the mouth end free to defend itself with a bite to you.

.....real bastard of a thing because often when they bite they don't like to let go easily & can leave a fairly decent sort of puncture wound.

I have a picture of their fangs if you would like to see what you avoided.

There I was, thinking they were relatively harmless and non-venomous. Would love to see the picture.

i am puzzled why u did not kil it if u had enough time to stop and just star at it. i have killed many snakes and i have eaten them. they do have some use.