ferris209 said:

you know there are only four venomous types in Texas. Rattlers, Copperheads, Cottonmouths (water moccasins), and Coral Snakes.

Fortunately, my days as a Boy Scout helped with snake safety quite a bit, so I know which to really avoid. However, some of the non-venomous can deliver quite a painful bite, so I just stay clear of all. I get a fair number of Ribbon snakes in my back yard, never bitten though.

They like to sit up high in the rose bushes, getting sun, out of the reach of my dogs maybe. Even so, every now and then my guys will get one and bring it inside as a gift. Always very proud of their kill, tail wagging, happy they did something to help the pack.

Man, that whole going into the house and not knowing where the thing is, or what it is - I'd have an elevated heart rate for sure.