By Pamela Neeley
Thanks to the cautious behavior of my cat, Apollo, I interrupted the swallowing of the largest toad ever!
The black snake was having trouble swallowing the toad because it was so large. I had to choose between my camera and using a stick to annoy the snake. I poked the snake with the handle of broom I had in my hand. It released toad.
There was a bad smell and it curled and headed my way. I maneuvered away! At last the black snake went the other way.
I placed the toad in a water dish while I settled my nerves. The photos are of the toad in the water feature and in the last, I imagine he’s smiling at me.
Once I got back in the house (this had occurred at the back door) I looked up the snake, and I’m pretty sure it is a western cottonmouth.* I’m glad I didn’t know that earlier or the toad would be dead.
The snake was large, black, thick, and with a skinny short ending to its tail. It also had a musky smell. It did want to escape. I only had an Asian broom but it worked.
The cat was no further help.
*Actually most of the observations in Milam County come up as northern cottonmouths, so who knows? (Inserted by curious editor)
Nature Along the El Camino Real 