I messed with that racer when I crossed it on a 40 deg morning in late March. I stooped over to pick him up and he struck at me (my fault for not pinning him but figured he'd be super docile)... dang thing was way too quick for that temp and took me by surprise!
Racers have TERRIBLE attitudes. I got bit by one year before last while turkey hunting. I was trying to get crawled up in a hedgerow on the edge of a field to try and call up a turkey out in that field. He bit me on the hand while I was crawling. I discovered he was hung up in some kind of netting material that had grass growing up through it. Though the arsehole bit me, I was able to get my pocket knife out, cut him free, and release him.
This is why I hate snakes. They are all always pissed off and unpredictable. Chicken, rat and water snakes I hate with a passion they seem to try and bite all the time. I hate all snakes except the little green ones even though they are often pissed and think they are 12 ft long
