Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi ya! I had a visitor this morning at my front door. A neighbor said it was venomous, but I have heard this before and it ended up not true. A guy said a coachwhip was and killed it and I was so upset. When I got home I found out that they are not, so this time the first thing I said was no killing. I live in south central Florida and have scrub land on both sides of my home. I do not live near wetland or a lake. The snake was fairly aggressive as it reared up in strike position when my son's friend approached it. I did not hear hissing or rattling, nor did it slither away. If anybody could help...thanks!!
Amy

If Im not mistaken that is a juvenile racer. There are a few guys who live in Florida that frequent this forum that will know for sure. Either way, it is definitely not venomous.

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

That's a baby racer (Coluber constrictor).
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

>>Hi ya!

Ki-Yii!

Mr. Snake (mouth moving out of synch) most likley racer!

Your Racer-style no match for my Flying Lizard!

Whaaaa....

(Bowing)

Bruce Lee

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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"

Definitely a very young black racer. The attached link may be of some interest to you since you are in Florida.

~~Greg~~
Florida's Venomous Snakes

Just so you aware - many non venemous snakes will also rattle their tale, and if you are not familiar with the buzz of a genuine rattlesnake, it can fool you if it is in dry grass or leaves.

My opinion is that even venemous snakes should be allowed to live. If it is where kids/pets play, often times animal control will remove it without killing it.

But don't assume rattlesnake if a snake rattles its tales, because many species of snakes will. It's not done to imitate rattlesnakes (I've actually had ignorant school teachers suggest that), snakes in parts of the world where there are no rattlesnakes do it. It probably is done to try and take the attention of predators off of the body and onto the tail, making it easier for the snake to escape.
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3.0 WC; 0.1 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 CB L. pyromelana pyromelana
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Good explanation for the rattling... Teachers get on my nerves too sometimes lol...

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. Young Southern Black Racer it is then. I appreciate it and will do my best to keep my neighbors from killing snakes every time we or they see one. I guess it is just fear that motivates them, but education is better than reaction. And I will definitly read up on the venomous snakes in my area too. I have three kids out playing in the yard everyday and they should know too, but I will not kill it if I do see one, maybe just call in an expert to have it removed from the yard. I am gonna have a talk with my son's friend too, he was trying to pick it up and it could have bit him. Sometimes young kids have no fear and that can get them in trouble. Ah well...thanks again. Amy

Kids will be kids - most snakes in US are non venemous.

I think in your area, it is only rattlesnakes and cottonmouths (aka water mocassins) that you need to worry about. But I'm not sure.

Some species (such as corn snakes and cal. king snakes) make wonderful pets, and are easier / less expensive to care for than cats.
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3.0 WC; 0.1 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 CB L. pyromelana pyromelana
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

FYI: In south central Florida, there are four venomous snakes..2 rattlesnakes, the cottonmouth, & the coral.

~~Greg~~

The coral - I forgot about that one.
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3.0 WC; 0.1 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 CB L. pyromelana pyromelana
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

i live in central florida too.i have found a couple of these near my homes too.the picture of it looks like a coachwhip,but is in fact a baby or juvi southern black racer.