Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found this one out in some shortgrass I have on property.
Normally I don't take much notice to small snakes, but this one coiled and bit my boots as I approached it.
It was doing the false rattler bit with its tail..
Very aggresive for an 8 inch long half inch round snake.

Snake in the grass

Hi,

That's a harmless baby racer, Coluber constrictor. They put on a good show when they get scared. Here's a picture of one about a year older than yours, and you can see the color shifting to all black.

(although now that I think about it, depending where you are it could be an equally harmless baby coachwhip - I live outside the coachwhip's range and I can't eyeball the babies).

Billy

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Phillyherping

I second that - either juvenile coachwhip or racer. Though harmless they can be very defensive! And very entertaining.

I knew before I looked at the picture that it was not a water snake. They do not rattle the tail. The racers, ratsnakes, kingsnakes, & bullsnakes do.

~~Greg~~

It's most definitely a juvenile racer(Coluber constrictor).

Coachwhips look very similar, but are more speckled(mottled), and tend to have a more protruding ridge along the "supraocular"
scale above the eye that tends to gives them somewhat of a "mean" look.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"