Snake Identification?

[AmberLops]

The Rat Patrol has taken a few eggs over the years, I can't deny that. But I know it has taken out lots and lots of rats, too - I figure it's a trade-off. I make a point of checking for eggs just about every time I'm in the area of the coop (2 - 3 times per day), so I don't miss many. Something else I don't miss is the rat poop and pee all over everything, and stuff getting chewed up . . . like I said, a trade-off.



"Cute" isn't quite the word I use; (s)he's a 6-footer. There's a 3-foot Green Rat Snake that we see regularly, too; I call that one "JRatC. " There's also a Black Racer that we call "Speed" that we see a lot, but not in or around the chicken coop (it's too small to manage the big eggs that my girls lay, at least for the time being). No, I'm not totally bonkers, but I am a firm believer in "better the devil you know." Copperheads are common as mud around here, we also have Water Moccasins and 3 kinds of rattlesnakes (not to mention Coral Snakes). I figure, since we seem to have an abundance of snake food living around here, I'd prefer to have non-venomous snake neighbors eating it.

That makes sense
At least they're doing something for you in return!

 

[CntryBoy777]

Just make sure ya do the research to find the characteristics that ya prefer....pay special attention to overall size and don't "power feed" it isn't worth it for early growth....and feed appropriate sized meals....we raised our own mice to save the cost.....the most docile is the ball python....when disturbed and the feeling of threat....their defense is to roll up tight into a ball and protect the head.....they top out around 5' and are slow movers....called mine Dash.....

 

[AmberLops]

Just make sure ya do the research to find the characteristics that ya prefer....pay special attention to overall size and don't "power feed" it isn't worth it for early growth....and feed appropriate sized meals....we raised our own mice to save the cost.....the most docile is the ball python....when disturbed and the feeling of threat....their defense is to roll up tight into a ball and protect the head.....they top out around 5' and are slow movers....called mine Dash.....

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it
I love the name Dash too!

 

[CntryBoy777]

Just hollar if I can help ya with anything.....depending on what the situation is and how much ya wanna put into it....time wise...ya can select a breed that will "fit" within those boundaries.....many will tolerate handling, but others will not....most make the mistake and think this one is "just Beautiful"....but have "no clue" as to "what" they are "asking for".....the animals never seem to last very long, because the "conditions" do not "match" their "needed environment".....a very common choice...because of the patterns....is a Burmese python.....but, when it gets 15-20' 200lb and can crush bones....just "where" ya gonna keep it....they will eat 5 grown chickens for a meal......remember, they are cold-blooded animals and sensitive to temp changes....this is why they hunt them in the Everglades now....with the hurricanes and the damage back to Andrew released an abundance of them into the enivironment and they have no natural predators here...except for gators, but they have found many pythons with alligator in the gut.....just whatever ya do, do research on a specific one....before spending $$ at a show for a really good one and then "finding out the Hard way".....as if ya can't tell.....I have a respect for them and do what I can to not kill one, but I also understand the otherside of it too....I told all my daughters, that if there is a doubt at all treat it as if it is....that goes for spiders too.....

 

[AmberLops]

Just hollar if I can help ya with anything.....depending on what the situation is and how much ya wanna put into it....time wise...ya can select a breed that will "fit" within those boundaries.....many will tolerate handling, but others will not....most make the mistake and think this one is "just Beautiful"....but have "no clue" as to "what" they are "asking for".....the animals never seem to last very long, because the "conditions" do not "match" their "needed environment".....a very common choice...because of the patterns....is a Burmese python.....but, when it gets 15-20' 200lb and can crush bones....just "where" ya gonna keep it....they will eat 5 grown chickens for a meal......remember, they are cold-blooded animals and sensitive to temp changes....this is why they hunt them in the Everglades now....with the hurricanes and the damage back to Andrew released an abundance of them into the enivironment and they have no natural predators here...except for gators, but they have found many pythons with alligator in the gut.....just whatever ya do, do research on a specific one....before spending $$ at a show for a really good one and then "finding out the Hard way".....as if ya can't tell.....I have a respect for them and do what I can to not kill one, but I also understand the otherside of it too....I told all my daughters, that if there is a doubt at all treat it as if it is....that goes for spiders too.....

Thank you! I really appreciate your help
I will most likely be asking you a ton of questions when I get my snake!
I like the African house snakes because they're pretty easy to care for and they make nice pets but then I love the boas because they're just beautiful. I used to house-sit for a family that had 50 boas and I loved those snakes. There were a few that just seemed so special. Thought about maybe getting a kingsnake but they seem kind of...hyper ?
and not so hold-able...but then again I don't know because I've never seen one in person.
There's a lot to think about when it comes to picking out a snake!
Thanks again

 

[Arnaki]

Did it look like this but thinner?

 

[mystang89]

Here is the way I identify any snake I see. I've NEVER been wrong before and I'm sure I'll never be wrong in the future. First, recognize that what is in your eye site is, for sure, a snake. Second, scream at the top of your lungs "SNAKE!" Third, run like you just saw a snake..cause you did!

Each snake I've seen was poisonous, dangerous and vicious but the moment I'm nowhere in eye site range of them, they turn non poisonous, calm and docile. Weird the way that happens.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Looks like a mature female water moccassin...to me...tho, it does seem to be "headless"....on my tiny phone anyway...

 

[AmberLops]

@Arnaki it was almost all black but with small eed/gold diamond patterns along it's back...no big markings like the one in that picture. That's a pretty snake though!
The one I saw was about 6-7 feet and thin

@mystang89 that's some good advice, thank you!
But if it's near my rabbits i'm gonna run towards it... not away from it!

I have a new snake on my front porch now. It sunbathes there and it's not too afraid of me. It's a rat snake though...it can stay there as long as it stays away from my rabbits....

 

[Beekissed]

Sounds like a color variance of a black racer....I've encountered one that was 6-7 ft long and aggressive like you describe, also moved with head held up like your description. Chased my brother across the yard!