Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am not a huge fan of snakes. I know this poor little guy is more afraid of me than I am of him, but I need some help. I live in south Louisiana about 30 miles south of New Orleans. We have been having mega torrential rain lately, and I've been noticing lots of different creatures coming out onto the roadways where it is dry to find some sun or whatever. Anyhow, I was sitting in my living room when I saw this really skinny 2 foot long black snake slither across my kitchen tile. It scared the crap out of me, and I called my neighbor to help me get it out, by the time we got back to where the snake was, it vanished. I know he probably was not poisonous, but, if anyone can reassure me it would be greatly appreciated. Also, my neighbor is dying to put out sticky rat traps to catch the snake on, but I wont let him. I won't use those on mice and rats let alone a snake no matter how afraid I am of them. I have aquatic turtles and newts in my house also, so they were amazed that I was this afraid of a snake, but they just aren't my cup of tea. Any ideas on how I can get him to come out from hiding? If it wouldn't have been for luck, I probably wouldn't have seen him in the first place, so I'm at a loss...sorry I didnt have time to snap a pic, but he was about 2 feet long, really skinny and totally black. Thanks Guys!

Im not sure what others will say but i heard this before and thought this was a good idea.
Take a 2 liter soda bottle and rinse it off.
Go to your local pet store and get a frozen mouse.
Take the frozen mouse and let it unfreeze in luke-warm water.
Once the mouse is thawed place it in the 2 liter bottle.
Put the 2 liter bottle anywhere in your house.
Check on it after that night. The snake may went in the bottle to eat the mouse and once it eats the mice it will be to thick to get out of the bottle.
If the snake does not eat the mouse dispose of it.
If you get the snake make sure you release it in a wooded area so no humans kill it.
o yeah the snake is probally a black rat snake.
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Thank You,
Brad S.

Brad S. gave you good advice for an inexpensive and humane snake trap. Be sure to get a small mouse as medium or large mice may not fit. The sticky trap will also work, but the snake must be removed by hand using vegtable oil, which you may not want to do.

Given your location it is not a Black Ratsnake. It may be a young Southern Black Racer, or a Mississippi Ringneck Snake, both are black, skinny, and move away from people quiclky. These are harmless and beneficial to have around as they eat mice and smaller snakes.

Since you describe it as "skinny" it is probably not a venomous Cottonmouth. Cottonmouths can be very dark as adults, but usually have a visible pattern at 2 ft - also, they have stout bodied and have triangular heads. They are slower and beat a more dignified retreat.

In any case, if you don't know what it is, leave it alone. Something like 90% of snake bites involve attempts to handle venomous snakes by unqualified individuals. Liquid courage is often involved as well!

BTW - have you thought about finding where all these critters are getting in and plugging the hole?

Good Luck! Hope the rain quits for you!

John D.
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

I agree the culprit sounds like a black racer...certainly more afraid of you than you are of it. The soda bottle trap sounds workable to me as well. The attached site covers all of the venomous snakes in the southeast. It may be of some interest to you.

~~Greg~~
Florida's Venomous Snakes

Hi, Thanks for all the great info...As long as the sticky trap thing won't hurt the snake, if my neighbor promises to get it off I'll try that as a last resort. That snake trap sounds awesome, I will definately try that and let everyone know how it goes. This is the first "critter" that has gotten into my house, we have been seeing different snakes, armadillos, opossums and different things coming out from thier hiding places since everything is so wet from all the rain. I figured out how he got in...I am in the process of replacing my screendoor which is too short for my doorway in my kitchen. There is about a 4 inch gap between the door and the floor. Yesterday, I started painting my front door and left it open while I walked away from it. Based on the area where I saw him, and the time I did, I assume he got in through that gap, as the front door has been open quite a bit lately for maintenance on the screen door. I knew you guys on this board would know what to do, or at least have some useful suggestions. I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes!
Thanks Again!