Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This snake is always out back playing around the kids toys. It is rather aggressive when approached and never retreats.

Any cause to be concerned?

Thanks,
Steve

No cause to be concerned at all. That happens to be south Florida's most common snake, the black racer, Coluber constrictor.
The hatchlings don't start turning dark for a couple of months, & don't make it to full adult black coloration until about the end of the first year. The attached link may be of some help to you in the future if you come across one that is truly dangerous.

~~Greg~~
Florida's Venomous Snakes

No worry. It's a baby southern black racer. Coluber constrictor priapus. They lose the pattern at about 2 feet long. Even if it did bite you, they are harmless, won't even break the skin! His fave food is small anoles. Pretty neat to have around, if you leave him alone, he may well stay in the area as he grows.

Yes looks like a racer to me. Like you said they are tenacious! They usually don't make good pets and won't tolerate being harrassed and handled but are harmless. It will help control your rodent population once it gets a little bit bigger though. Good job not killing.

Thanks for letting me know.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks to me like you already took "CARE" of this totally harmless snake by crushing him with a slab of concrete, why else would he be sitting there with his mouth agape like that? they don't normally do that, looks like most of his body is pinned under stepping stone to me.

I will correct you... that is the side of a plastic toy box that is about an inch off of the ground where the ground isn't level. The snake is very aggressive when you approach it, for instance to take a picture - it is very much alive and well in the picture. We did relocate the snake to another house that doesn't have a children playing in the back yard though.

Steve,... I am very glad to hear that you didn't kill the snake and that you put it where it can live it's life. I'm sorry if I came over too strong, looks can be deceiving, your photo really does look like the snake got "wacked" with a stepping stone......I got really tired of seeing posts where all the snakes were needlessly killed. In all seriousness, a kids pet hamster will inflict much more damage than even an adult Black Racer could ever do........anyway, I appologize for assuming.......thanks for setting me straight.........D.Mong