I saw a most interesting thing and thought I would share before I forgot... I went for a walk on a local trail after a good rain. When I turned a bend, I noticed a black rat snake resting on the side of a tree.
I've seen plenty of snakes climbing trees. This was not that. It was coiled up and obviously just relaxing in a sunbeam on the side of a tree. I thought to take a picture of this creature defying the laws of physics and so I dug in my pocket and took out my phone. This was too much for the creature.
As I was bringing the camera to bare, the snake jumped to the next tree and crawled off through the branches. It executed this maneuver with all the natural grace of a squirrel. I would never believe such a thing possible had I not seen it with my own eyes.
I've always held myself in high esteem because I not only have legs, but I have thumbs. This 4-foot snake showed me that, yet again, I have overestimated my understanding of things. It is possible to jump without legs, and grasp without thumbs. What else is possible?
Thank-you snake.
My son was in the Yellow forest and there was a giant black rat snake, maybe a 6', in the trees by the main campground, people panicked and called the park rangers.
If Marlin Perkins was still around , I'm sure a show on jumping snakes would be interesting for sure. There are loads of videos on youtube on the subject. They are amazing creatures and scare the beans out of me. My calf high snake boots are always in my truck...... but now I'll be lookin' up in addition to looking down.. Might need an umbrella hat too.