Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What kind?

That's a tough one without seeing the head a little more clearly. At first glance it looks like a Black Ratsnake, however, the ratsnakes in your area wouldn't be solid black like that AFAIK.

I think it is a Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula niger). I think this because
1. It is solid black(ish)
2. It appears to have black/yellow checkers on its belly creeping up the sides, typical of a black king.
3. again, your ratsnakes aren't black there.

Kingsnakes in the Birmingham area should be showing enough black king influence that some inidividuals would be fairly solid black like that.

So I go with black king and a particularly scrawny unhealthy looking individual. If you can, put it outside where it can get some food/water to fatten up a little!

Totally harmless species. In fact, even if I'm wrong (I don't think I am), whatever it is it is harmless.

Chris
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

It's a Black King.....
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I also believe it is a (starving) black king. Probably trapped in your basement and starving.

It wasn't my basement.

The owner of the basement let the snake out so hopefully it is eating and getting strong again.

I had guessed rat snake and decided to post the photos here to see what y'all thought. I'm glad to know it's a king snake.

I've owned a few pet snakes and love to learn more about identifying them.

The best thing you can do to help you learn to ID them is to learn what is in the location you live. The only reason everyone was actually able to ID it as a king is because everyone knew Rat snakes aren't that black in Birmingham. Without knowing that and just looking at the picture I'm sure most would have guessed a black rat snake because it was a very poor/skinny individual. If you're interested in herps and live in birmingham you should join us at our local herp club classes at UAB held by Dr. Ken Marion Chairman of Mathmatics and Biology Dept. It is free and open to the public. Email me if you care to know any more details. Alabamaherpsociety@yahoo.com

I have to agree that aligning yourself as closely as possible with Ken Marion would be a huge bonus. I don't attend those meetings because I don't live in Birmingham, but I have gotten to know Ken over the years; VERY knowledgeable and a great guy to boot. In fact, I might look into that club and see if I can get my periodic trips to Birmingham to coordinate with meeting dates.

I agree he's a great guy. I have learned alot from him and his classes. We also have some very knowlegable people that attend. People with their own non profit organizations, veternarians, Zoo keepers/employees, people conducting pretty pronouned research. Wonderful place to connect with some people that are passionate about what they do.