Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My husband found this snake in the yard the other day while mowing. When he told me, I figured it was a harmless garder snake and i would go outside, play with it for a minute and then release it in the woods behind our property. But instead I found this snake. I believe its a juvenile, about 6-8 inches long and had quite a temperment. It coiled up several times as if it was going to strike. I released it, however, as i have a one year old who often plays outside, I'm quite curious to what it is. The picture is kind of blurry but any help would be nice, thanks! I do not know how to upload a picture of it so here is the URL: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=413362502&albumID=1261981&imageID=14973451
Link

This is a harmless Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi). I don't know which subspecies, because you didn't say where you were located. No need to worry about the kids with this one! Thanks, Mike C.

thanks for the reply. I live in central Arkansas (Conway area). I'm glad its harmless. Are these snakes known to be aggressive? I really respect animals and do not want to harm them. I actually enjoy snakes, but as I don't know enough about them, I only mess with the few I know aren't usually aggressive.

I can't remember ever seeing a brown snake act "aggressively", but then imagine how you'd feel if a creature 100 feet tall with 9 arms walked up and started checking you out...
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Defensive is a better term to describe a snake's desire to bite than aggressive. The attached site covers the venomous snakes in your area. You may find it of use. ~~Greg~~
Florida's Venomous Snakes

Are these snakes known to be aggressive? I really respect animals and do not want to harm them. I actually enjoy snakes, but as I don't know enough about them, I only mess with the few I know aren't usually aggressive.

I've seen Brownsnakes coil up and flatten their heads, but even then they don't bite. Their "aggressive" display is almost comical coming from such a small, innocuous animal. It's like being harrased by an "aggressive" butterfly.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Thanks! I'm sure it wasn't going to strike, but as I don't know very many snakes (and was expecting to see a garder snake) it kind of caught me off gaurd. It was right after my husband had started up the lawn mower and it practically got ran over, so I'm sure the scare of that had something to do with the defensive behavior. It was pretty eager to go into the pillow case when i put it down there and was even happier when i released it in the woods.

Thank you for not smashing it with a shovel like some of the neanderthals that post pics asking what kind of snake it is on here do.