2023 was the year of the snake around here

I don't usually see snakes in my yard but last year they were everywhere.
I was weeding the garden and pulled on this:


I hope they ate some mice in my garden.
I later found half a snake in the same area. Probably discovered by a stray cat.
The circle.

I'd walk around a corner and one would be sitting in the sun, then jump up and run/slither.
I picked up a tarp and there was one under it. The next day there was 2 under the same tarp.
All garder snakes.

I noticed there weren't very many toads last year.
One evening after dark I walked into the hose.
Ground level entrance.
And felt something against my foot. When I turned on the light, there was a snake trying to eat a toad. Had it by a toe.
I suppose it hopped into the house with the snake attached. I set the toad free and had a little talk with the snake.

Wondering what 2024 will bring.

If I remember correctly, 2021 was the year of the snake at our place.

We had ten rattlesnakes visit our patio at different times that summer.

The next year in May we took in a kitten when her mother left her with us.

We have not seen any snakes since then.

Hi Anne,

My cats say they are the snake experts.  There is no doubt the cats realize snakes can be dangerous.

Going back to the OP, we had many snakes last year.

 Did you notice a sharp decrease in toads, when the snake count was high?

HI Craig,
If they were all the same kind of snake, did you notice if some looked young? I wonder if a mother snake had her brood on your property and they were all one big family.

I didn't see any small ones.
The skins and snakes I did see were about the same size as this one.

Not sure what those 2 were doing under the tarp but I might end up with baby snakes this year.