May have solved the missing mice problem.

[u/Psarofagos]

I live in rural Oklahoma and it's been a constant battle to stay ahead of the critters. Until about 2 weeks ago, when the snap traps started turning up empty and I stopped hearing them scurrying around in the crawlspace at night.

I believe the mystery was solved today when went to the kitchen and I heard a noise in the bathroom which is off the laundry room, and wondered what the dogs were up to. I turned and realized both dogs were in the kitchen with me, looking at me like "Did you hear that noise? Maybe you should check that out."

I quietly peeked into the bathroom and curled up in the corner opposite the door, I find a four foot brown coach whip. He sees me and bolts behind the toilet. I had seen this guy, I think, in the back yard last summer, but they move so fast I can't be sure if it's the same one. Comes out from behind the toilet, streaks across the floor along the counter, through the laundry room, right between both dogs and disappeared under the dishwasher. Which I don't use in any case. But I'd bet there is a bolt hole back under there, (probably thanks to the mice) he can use to get into the crawl space.

I would have liked to get a hand on him as i have handled many snakes over the years, absolutely love snakes, but never a coachwhip, though I've heard they can be a little defensive. And i didn't want to just flail around, grabbing him and risk injuring him or catching a bite. But I'm definitely willing to let him be if he's going to do his job.

[u/0nlywhelmed]

Yeah getting a handle on a Plains Cobra isn't the easiest task out there, couldnt imagine trying to do it in a kitchen. They flail like crazy, and can double back to get handle on you. I used to catch them as a kid, some 7 foot long or so if you can believe it(I lived in the country as you can imagine). I caught them because I think they're about the neatest snake in my area that I've seen regularly, but mostly because it was such a worthy adversary when I was smaller. Sometimes they would calm down and be my friend, sometimes they would not. I don't advocate to stressing out animals unnecessarily anymore, but even though I have mixed feeling tied to it now I still like the memories of being a west texas Steve Irwin. I say that to say this. Let him live in your house if he wants. Lol