Snake ID

[BIGDADDY]

My wife spotted this guy with his head sticking out of a shrub in front of our house. Not sure what kind it is. Does anyone know? We live in Pa

 

[Richie]

king cobra

 

[nrford]

Pine Snake?

 

[Paulywalnut]

According to Snake forums, Looks like a rat snake. Copperheads look a lot like that but it's head is not the right shape. I hope you put it deep in the woods and not deep in the ground

 

[smokedragon]

Not the right colors or shape for a copperhead. That is a black rat snake. As he ages, he will turn solid black.

Completely harmless and a great friend around your piles. He will eat the things you really don't want around.

See classic copperhead markings. Very similar pattern, but different colors.



Baby copperheads actually have a copper colored head (like a shiny new penny), which is where they get there name from.

They aren't very venomous, and are not considered dangerous to a healthy adult. A bite will make you nauseous and you may need medical treatment, but it won't kill you.

 

[Soundchasm]

My stacks are very popular with Northern Water Snakes and Garter Snakes. The water snakes are hitting 3', and the garter snakes nowhere near that. I used to see mice sometimes and dozens of frogs, but not any longer. I really enjoy them now and consider it a dull day when I don't see any.

The pic is from last year, but there's one again this year that size and maybe bigger around, so I bet she's preggers.

 

[BIGDADDY]

Thanks to all who took time to respond. I guess he is a rat snake then.

 

[midfielder]

Looks like a milk snake to me: http://www.masnakes.org/snakes/milk/ Funny critters - short fangs but no venom. Named, I think, for the myth that being often found in barns, they would latch onto cow's teats to feed...

 

[smokedragon]

My stacks are very popular with Northern Water Snakes and Garter Snakes. The water snakes are hitting 3', and the garter snakes nowhere near that. I used to see mice sometimes and dozens of frogs, but not any longer. I really enjoy them now and consider it a dull day when I don't see any.

The pic is from last year, but there's one again this year that size and maybe bigger around, so I bet she's preggers.

Most folks would kill that little beauty there because they think it is a copperhead. Nothern watersnakes are very timid, great to have around.

I love garters, but haven't found a single one at my pile. They eat all sorts (bugs, worms, etc).