Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone.

When leaving my home in central NC, I found this big bugger crawling across the side of my foundation, trying to nose it's way into my house.

I've looked at lots of photos of speckled king snakes, but my
snake didn't have nearly the amount of speckles that I see in other photos.

Sorry the image isn't the greatest, it's from my cell phone.

This snake was a shiny black with what appeared to be robin's egg blue speckles - but not a ton of spots. The spots could have been white - I was about 10 feet away, but they certainly appeared to be blue. This snake seemed to have a very narrow face - although difficult to tell by this photo as it's trying to nose into my house. I think he/she was about four feet long - possibly longer.

I live on a hilly acre with a field of tall grass behind my house and an mini apple orchard off on one side. I saw this snake about 5:30 this evening.

Could this be a King Snake (a definative reply would be welcome)
or something else (maybe that I should worry about???). If it is a friendly snake, how best can I make the back field more appealing to him/her, than my immediate yard. I have 2 dogs which would have a field day with this guy, should they encounter him - even though I only walk the dogs on leashes, they are not in the yard all day and night.

Help! My image didn't appear. I posted a link to my InageStation album, but this apparently doesn't work. Suggestions?

download it to kingsnakes gallery then it'll come up as an option at the bottom of your posts.

I'm not sure if imagestation allows external linking, but if it does then here is your photo (if you get the red X, then it doesn't allow it) -

>>I've looked at lots of photos of speckled king snakes, but my
>>snake didn't have nearly the amount of speckles that I see in >>other photos.

Speckled Kingsnakes don't make it into NC. The closest speckled kings to you are in Alabama. The kingsnake in your area is the Eastern Kingsnake, and this doesn't appear to be one of those.

The snake looks like a Black Ratsnake. They are common around houses. Furthermore, the way it is climbing up the side of your house is very ratsnake-like, not kingsnake-like.

They are harmless, although they can bite and musk. They are great rodent and bird eaters so leave it alone. The chances are you won't even see it again.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Agreed. Can't tell for sure from that picture, but that looks like a Black Rat to me too. here is a website to help you identify any other snakes you may see in your area.
Snakes of North Carolina

Yep, that's my photo. Thanks for the ID. If I should see it again, how can I encourage it to live in the field!? Lots of meals in the field I am sure. I just don't want to mow over it or have my young daughter to run into it.

If they are not venomous, what should be done if we do accidently disturb it and it does bite?

Thank you so much for your help!!

Karen

Yeah, that is fer sure a black ratsnake. Unless you step on it or pick it up, it will not bite you. If you are bitten, clean the wound with soap & water & perhaps spray a little Bactine or your favorite concoction on it & go about your way.

As long as the field near your house offers food, shelter, water, & a possibility of a mate, the snake will probably stay as long as it is not disturbed. Those are the only 4 things a snake needs to get along, assuming the temperatures are within its desired range.

~~Greg~~

You guys have been most helpful. Thanks for all the input! I am not typically a snake person (sorry!), but I do appreciate wildlife and certainly wouldn't want to hurt anything out there.

I will read up more on the species to get a better understanding of it.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Best Regards,

Karen

>>If they are not venomous, what should be done if we do accidently disturb it and it does bite?

Just to add to Greg's advice, if you don't handle it, it isn't likely to bite you. People don't get bitten by snakes unless they are trying to pick them up or accidentally step on them.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas