Not a Happy Camper

About one month ago, I saw one of my cats playing with something.  Looking a little bit closer, I saw something orange.  Not knowing what it was, I drew closer and found out it was a garden snake.  Gris-Gris had just caught a couleuvre; a big nice one, but very pissed off.  I think that it did not really appreciate having been dragged out of its hideout by my curious cat.  In fact, I am very sure of it.  It was acting like a cobra, trying to attack us.  Gris-Gris had injured it on the neck so it was a little slower than usual so, instead of slithering away, it decided to try to frighten us.  Well it kind of worked 'cause I stepped away each time it raised its head and try to fight.  However, it did not prevent me to run in the house to get my camera and shoot a couple of pictures.



It is a couleuvre rayée or Common Garter Snake.  Its scientific name:
Thamnophis sirtalis.  If you want to learn more about the different types of reptiles in Quebec you can have a look at this site.  It even allows you to record your sittings.
Atlas des Amphibiens et des Reptiles du Québec

Here are some more shots of our not so happy camper.

 

My boyfriend, Chris, ended up catching it with a 2 rakes.  It spent the night and the next day in a bucket so we could show it to his kids when they came back from school.  We released it afterward and it looked just fine slithering away under the garage.

Now, let me introduce you to the brave warrior that without fear caught this ferocious reptile.  Here is Gris-Gris the cat.

Gris-Gris

Gris-Gris and his sister Sachat were born in March 2010 and have been our companions since they were three months old.  They are the best cat ever and are great hunters.  So far they have brought back home: birds, frogs, grass hoppers, cicadas, and a snake.  We'll see what they come up with next.