Need Help!!! - Snake ID???

Jananas Bananas · 11-29-2009, 11:42 AM

OK I am trying to goggle - so many to go through. I was in my storage building/green house getting out Christmas decorations and this guy was under some stuff I was picking up. I tried to get him out of my building with a broom but he just tried striking at it. I won't kill anything and am a bit rattled right now. So any ID help would be appreciated. We are expecting a 3 day cold snap here and besides taking my Christmas decorations out - I am moving my plants inside. And this little guy is now loose in my building somehere. I already have several boxes inside my house and now I am worried I brought snakes in my house. Please help me if you can! ~JaNan

frog7994 · 11-29-2009, 12:18 PM

looks like a ball python of some type. I'll have my son inlaw verfy it for me he raises them for a living.

Blake09 · 11-29-2009, 01:03 PM

Almost looks like a copperhead snake...

snakes, Copperheads, copper head snake

sbl · 11-29-2009, 01:04 PM

Coloration is similar to the Texas Rat Snake:
Yahoo! Image Detail for http://www.bugsinthenews.com/Texas%20Snake%20Web/081204_Texas_Rat_Snake_Frisco_Tx_wa_taken_Oct03.jpg

Eric · 11-29-2009, 01:51 PM

Take no chances! Here's pics of a juvenille Southern Pacific Rattlesnake & the rattler of a Rattlesnake:

It could be a specimen, brought into Texas, that escaped. Be Careful!

lorax · 11-29-2009, 01:52 PM

Here's your fast check, though. Poisonous snakes have slit pupils, like cats. This guy has round pupils, so he's unlikely to be venomous.

I'm with SBL on Texas Rat Snake. Wikipedia says they're not venomous.

Eric · 11-29-2009, 01:57 PM

Thanx Beth

! Didnt even notice those round eyes! I'd still be Real cautious till Absolute ID can be made. My Fave's the Reticulated Pythons!

Jananas Bananas · 11-29-2009, 02:02 PM

SBL - I hope it IS a Texas Rat Snake. It is very, very close to your picture. I'm going to keep telling myself that is what it is.

Blake - I hope it is NOT a Copperhead!!! (this was actually my fear and my first thought when I first saw it) I think (but am not for sure) that a Copperheads' head is totally copper colored. This guy is wearing goggles or a mask on his head.

James - a ball python is not venomous right?

Lorax - I am voting with Texas Rat Snake too. I did not know that about the eyes. I always heard that the poison ones have a certain shaped head.

Eric - my second thought was a baby Rattlesnake - of course I always think of the poison ones!

I don't care what kind it is as long as it isn't poisonous. I think it is a young one, not very big around, but over a foot to a foot and a half long. ~J

sunfish · 11-29-2009, 02:18 PM

Texas Ratsnake displays this distinctive "robber's mask" across its eyes and head.

frog7994 · 11-29-2009, 02:24 PM

ok he says it's some type of a rat snake maybe a corn snake

Blake09 · 11-29-2009, 02:56 PM

I diddo on the Rat Snake ID.

lorax · 11-29-2009, 03:28 PM

Eric / JaNan - the eye thing is the first thing I learned when I moved down here. Snake diversity in the tropics is absolutely mind-boggling, and I needed a fast check to see whether I could safely handle the snakes that normally turn up in my banana canopies or not.

JaNan, you're absolutely right about a distinctive wedge-shaped head on a narrow neck being a telltale for pit vipers, but that's not going to help you on other venomous snakes (like corals, for example). However, the eye thing holds true for all of them.

BananaLee · 11-29-2009, 04:41 PM

If it has a weird shovel like nose than it's a hognose snake! The coolest snakes! They are one of the most friendly snake in the world and wont attempt to bite even if a finger is forced in its mouth. They have a remarkable defense display: first it spreads a hood like a cobra and starts hissing loudly it will falsely strike with its mouth closed. If all fails, it will lie on its back and play dead! Hognose snakes use their shovel like nose to dog for toads in the ground. They vary greatly in color, from brown with blotches (like the pic shown) to mahogany black. Look it up it could be it. Most likely a western hognose. I don't see any shovel like nose but otherwise it looks just like one.

coast crab · 11-29-2009, 05:20 PM

Good lord people, get a grip...

Its just a young rat snake. Thanks for not killing it first and asking questions later. And, yes, they have lots of attitude.

R

Jananas Bananas · 11-29-2009, 05:40 PM

It's OK everyone! I appreciate all the help - each and every one of you!!! I am the one that asked for it and I got it. I am the one that panicked as it startled me and I didn't have anyone around to help me. I try very hard NOT to kill anything. Believe me all your responses helped me a lot more than any of you could imagine. I feel much better now going in and out of my building than I did this morning!

~JaNan

turtile · 11-29-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coast crab

Good lord people, get a grip...

Its just a young rat snake. Thanks for not killing it first and asking questions later. And, yes, they have lots of attitude.

R

Most people don't seem to realize how important snakes are in keeping the rodent populations in check (and the ones that cause destruction of bananas!) It annoys me when people chop up every snake they find which ends up hurting everyone by filling their houses and yards with rodents such as mice.

And when you have too many rodents, you get a tick problem.... ....Lyme's Disease etc

Abnshrek · 11-29-2009, 07:16 PM

That's Funny & serious all @ the same time.. Hope it didn't have babies in your boxes :^)

Eric · 11-29-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtile

Most people don't seem to realize how important snakes are in keeping the rodent populations in check (and the ones that cause destruction of bananas!) It annoys me when people chop up every snake they find which ends up hurting everyone by filling their houses and yards with rodents such as mice.
And when you have too many rodents, you get a tick problem.... ....Lyme's Disease etc

I Totally Agree! And I Really Appreciate JaNan for not hurting it... just being careful, instead

! A lady I know, hacked a poor garden snake with a hoe cause it spooked her

. I took it home & took care of it. Named it Andy and when it got well, I turned it loose in our gardens.
Just part of my "No Snake Left Behind" Policy

!

Also had a pet Bull snake once! Wasn't hurt but it was friendly!

Abnshrek · 11-29-2009, 11:17 PM

I have a no kill snake policy too.. unless it's a watermockacin, rattler (including pygmy), or anything else poisonous then it bites the dust. I don't kill reptiles normally period They eat my bugs :^) and I do have plenty of lil fellers hanging out on my banana's indoor's (not in the house) and out.... waiting for lunch :^)

Eric · 11-30-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

I have a no kill snake policy too.. unless it's a watermockacin, rattler (including pygmy), or anything else poisonous then it bites the dust. I don't kill reptiles normally period They eat my bugs :^) and I do have plenty of lil fellers hanging out on my banana's indoor's (not in the house) and out.... waiting for lunch :^)

Super! Been trying to attract snakes, here. Have a frog that moved into my bamboo jungle by the back pond. May have snakes hanging out in the bamboo that I just haven't seen yet! It just looks like a nice peaceful jungle... till I step into it... then a million birds suddenly fly out of it, LOL

!
Btw, I will eliminate a poisonous snake if it's living around the house. When it's "me or the snake", I win every time

!
Well, so far.

11-29-2009, 11:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 390,835 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? OK I am trying to goggle - so many to go through. I was in my storage building/green house getting out Christmas decorations and this guy was under some stuff I was picking up. I tried to get him out of my building with a broom but he just tried striking at it. I won't kill anything and am a bit rattled right now. So any ID help would be appreciated. We are expecting a 3 day cold snap here and besides taking my Christmas decorations out - I am moving my plants inside. And this little guy is now loose in my building somehere. I already have several boxes inside my house and now I am worried I brought snakes in my house. Please help me if you can! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

11-29-2009, 12:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
frog7994 Junior Member frog7994's Photo Gallery Location: West Palm Beach Zone: 10 Name: james Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 506 BananaBucks : 9,476 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 21 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 63 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? looks like a ball python of some type. I'll have my son inlaw verfy it for me he raises them for a living.

11-29-2009, 01:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
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11-29-2009, 01:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
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11-29-2009, 01:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
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11-29-2009, 01:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
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11-29-2009, 01:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eric Banned Eric's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,759 BananaBucks : 138,126 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,364 Times Was Thanked 855 Times in 421 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 163 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? Thanx Beth ! Didnt even notice those round eyes! I'd still be Real cautious till Absolute ID can be made. My Fave's the Reticulated Pythons!

11-29-2009, 02:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 390,835 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? SBL - I hope it IS a Texas Rat Snake. It is very, very close to your picture. I'm going to keep telling myself that is what it is. Blake - I hope it is NOT a Copperhead!!! (this was actually my fear and my first thought when I first saw it) I think (but am not for sure) that a Copperheads' head is totally copper colored. This guy is wearing goggles or a mask on his head. James - a ball python is not venomous right? Lorax - I am voting with Texas Rat Snake too. I did not know that about the eyes. I always heard that the poison ones have a certain shaped head. Eric - my second thought was a baby Rattlesnake - of course I always think of the poison ones! I don't care what kind it is as long as it isn't poisonous. I think it is a young one, not very big around, but over a foot to a foot and a half long. ~J __________________ Jananas Bananas Last edited by Jananas Bananas : 11-29-2009 at 02:11 PM.

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frog7994 Junior Member frog7994's Photo Gallery Location: West Palm Beach Zone: 10 Name: james Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 506 BananaBucks : 9,476 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 21 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 63 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? ok he says it's some type of a rat snake maybe a corn snake

11-29-2009, 02:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
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11-29-2009, 03:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
lorax Banned lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 13 / Köppen-Geiger BSh Name: Lorax Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,532 BananaBucks : 301,530 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 742 Times Was Thanked 3,040 Times in 1,188 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 464 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? Eric / JaNan - the eye thing is the first thing I learned when I moved down here. Snake diversity in the tropics is absolutely mind-boggling, and I needed a fast check to see whether I could safely handle the snakes that normally turn up in my banana canopies or not. JaNan, you're absolutely right about a distinctive wedge-shaped head on a narrow neck being a telltale for pit vipers, but that's not going to help you on other venomous snakes (like corals, for example). However, the eye thing holds true for all of them.

11-29-2009, 04:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
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11-29-2009, 05:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
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11-29-2009, 05:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 390,835 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? It's OK everyone! I appreciate all the help - each and every one of you!!! I am the one that asked for it and I got it. I am the one that panicked as it startled me and I didn't have anyone around to help me. I try very hard NOT to kill anything. Believe me all your responses helped me a lot more than any of you could imagine. I feel much better now going in and out of my building than I did this morning! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

11-29-2009, 07:16 PM	#17 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,492 BananaBucks : 196,337 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,440 Times in 5,237 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? That's Funny & serious all @ the same time.. Hope it didn't have babies in your boxes :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

11-29-2009, 11:17 PM	#19 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,492 BananaBucks : 196,337 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,440 Times in 5,237 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Need Help!!! - Snake ID??? I have a no kill snake policy too.. unless it's a watermockacin, rattler (including pygmy), or anything else poisonous then it bites the dust. I don't kill reptiles normally period They eat my bugs :^) and I do have plenty of lil fellers hanging out on my banana's indoor's (not in the house) and out.... waiting for lunch :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

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