Grassland Hunter

My morning trot with Cooper across the Llano Estacado prairie comes to an abrupt halt. Just ahead a Bullsnake winds effortlessly out of a Black-tailed Prairie Dog burrow. The grassland hunter continues its morning quest for prey across prairie straw. My heart still races from the aerobic workout of trail running. I take a few deep breaths to settle down, then cannot resist capturing images of this denizen of the Southern Great Plains biome. Normally a nearly daily event, this encounter is only my second this year. I surmise our deepening drought impacts snake prey opportunities and heretofore cold Spring conditions affect activity levels.

Our colubrid friend quickly assumes a telltale defensive posture--writhing coils, head elevated and cocked in an s-curve, spine-chilling warning hiss, and throaty rattle. The latter mimics a rattlesnake. This colubrid is particularly agitated. Although it's non-venomous I approach with caution.

While I jockey for a good photo angle, Cooper looks on from a respectful distance. Startlingly the snake launches its spring-loaded coils towards me. Several expletives cross my lips. I retreat several feet powered by a jolt of adrenaline. With renewed respect for its striking reach I manage several images and resume observations. My persistence causes the snake to make a hasty retreat into a prairie dog burrow.

- © Ilija Lukić 2013 -

Threat Alert

Warning Hiss

Writhing Serpent

Grassland Hunter (Bullsnake)