I said in an earlier post, Cardboard Mulch and Snakes, that a short black snake slid out from underneath the cardboard mulch on the yard. When I was at the Hillsborough County Extension Office yesterday, I mentioned the snake and was provided information about snakes in Florida.

• Frequently Asked Questions about snakes in Florida
• Dealing with Snakes in Florida’s Residential Areas and Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes

Judging by my husband’s description and the information from the website, we probably have a garter snake wandering around the yard. It is harmless to humans, but I imagine the earthworm, frog and salamander populations are affected by its presence. I wonder where it is now? I am a little more careful turning over pots and investigating plants now that we’ve seen a snake. Even a “harmless” one will be defensive if cornered or startled.