Sinuosity

I screeched to a halt.

A splendid specimen...at least four feet long

I began with tender encouragements and polite endearments.
It gave me the hairy eyeball and suggested I take another road.

Finally, I went to the back end and just baaarely touched its tail. THAT did it! It turned on itself and came for me with determination in its eye. I sidestepped and glad to see it wasn't intent on combat, watched as it slid into the bush.