Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, y'all were such a help last time, I thought I'd run another snake past you. Location: North Florida oak hammock.

This mama's about 4-5 feet long and lives under the shed. She's (just seems like a she) a rusty brown color with darker brown patches, especially on the top of her head. She doesn't seem to have a discernable pattern. She's lighter tan in the middle but it's gradual. Her head is sort of narrow and she's probably about 1 1/2- 2 inches in diameter at her widest point. Behavior-wise, she dives under the shed whenever I get too close. She seemed to be trying to get some sun this afternoon, but I kept walking by.

Any ideas? Thanks!
-P

One possibility is eastern coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum. Adults are dark brown to black beginning at the head, fading to tan by mid-body. The color & scalation on the tail gives the appearance of a braided whip. If this is what it is, it is not full grown at that length. It will exceed seven feet. Not a particularly good captive. Cage requirements are more than most can supply.

~~Greg~~
Florida's Venomous Snakes

I agree. My first thought was a pinesnake (How cool would that be?), but coachwhip was right behind that. The behavior of "diving" back anywhere says coachwhip more than anything.
I also thought possibly a watersnake, but I wouldn't imagine them hiding under a shed unless there's water VERY nearby.
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."