I brake for snakes.

So recently I became aware of a road near where live, very near, that is chock full of California Kingsnakes.  These snakes are very common throughout the state of California, but their range does extend into Nevada, where they are for obvious reasons, a great deal harder to locate.  This isolated population is under severe threat due to heavy construction in the area and much more auto traffic.  Last night it was warm, and there was a full moon, and I wanted to test out my new lightbar in the dark. So at 8:45pm I went out too see if what I heard about this road was true. I was skeptical at first about finding anything, usually because I don't have good luck road cruising, but to my surprise and heartbreak, the snakes were out en masse.

As soon as I pulled onto the road, I spotted this baby gopher snake. Gopher snakes are very common throughout this area, so this was no surprise. Still, I was happy to have found the snake before oncoming traffic did.

After the baby gopher was found and moved way off the road, I started slowly back down the road and BAM!, there it was, again, in harms way for certain. I hopped out, and snatched up the gorgeous animal, and seconds later a car whipped around me and kept on down the road.

And sure enough, another. This one hit only moments before I got to it, writhing, mouth agape, in what I can only imagine was horrible pain from having the lower half of it's body suddenly crushed. It's one thing to see a snake 100% flattened on the road, but this poor animal got it worst.  I gently moved it off the road and set it down. Hopefully an owl or hawk will find it and dine appropriately.  Such a pity. Humanity and nature do not mix. Never have, never will. Seeing shit like this is deeply depressing and disturbing to me.

Being that this spot was so close, I went home to show Linda and Mom the lucky one...

And then I went back out and released the little bugger way away from the road to live at least another day.  I guess 2 outta 3 ain't so bad for a 30 minute drive.

Next day on the way home from work I almost crush this HUGE gopher snake right on the road by the house!

Release time AWAY from the road.