an important lesson

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Vicki McKernan telephoned recently. She said she had a silly question.

The McKernans have a six-foot long black rat snake that lives on their property. Vicki occasionally sees it. She doesn't like snakes but she knows it's only doing its job catching and eating mice, moles, voles and shrews. Yum! And, indeed, they have not seen any small rodents around their home in a long time.

But her black lab is beginning to get curious about the snake and Vicki knows its a constrictor.

Vicki wondered: "Is there any danger of the snake trying to squeeze her dog to death?"

No. The snake only kills what it plans to eat in this manner and a black lab is far too big to consume or even to squeeze to death. If harassed, the snake will either try to move away quickly, rear up and head butt the dog or perhaps strike and bite it. The bite will hurt but not kill the curious lab. But, most importantly, it'll teach it a valuable lesson.

Thanks, Vicki.

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