I was digging up a large area of my yard about a month back. While pulling up a large stone, I glimped a snake. Before I could get a good look or grab it, it escaped into an animal burrow which was also under the rock.
I never saw a ring (or even the head for that matter), but it was rather "satin"-y looking and was entirely a dark grey to black color. It was kinda chunky too...probably about as thick as my finger.
I live in massachusetts and we have only 14 species of snake here: black racer, black rat, brown, copperhead, common garter, eastern hognose, eastern ribbon, milk, northen water, redbelly, ringneck, smooth green, timber rattler, worm snake.
Some of these snakes dont fit the bill...no rattle, not green, worm snake isnt even in my area, certainly wasn't a garter, etc.
I've sort of narrowed it down to, black racer, black rat, ringneck and maybe a really large redbelly? Maybe a common water snake? I live near a river (although the river is a good 200-300 feet away from the area)...
Also, I never saw the snake again, so I'm guessing its nocturnal (but of course I cant be certain). So basically everything I'm reading suggests a large ringneck (underground, grey/black and satiny, etc). Anything I'm missing (like jevenile phases?), or am I making a good assumption?
