Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of the young boys in my neighborhood was waiting for me to come home tonight to tell me that he was given a snake that some friends had pulled from a tree and gave to him to keep as a pet. His poor mom is quite worried (and I don't blame her) as she has a fear of snakes. I am no expert on the snakes in my local area. I live in southwest Louisiana. I think this snake is either a corn or a rat snake. It's quite dark in color. They brought it to me to observe and get my opinion on it. I did remove the snake from the aquarium enclosure and handled it for a few minutes and the snake was calm and not defensive, did not musk or try to bite. I then handed it to the boy who eagerly held it carefully. Frankly, I was impressed that a newly acquired wild caught animal would be so docile. Is anyone reading this from Louisiana and can you tell me if there are cornsnakes here? Or would you guess that this is a ratsnake. If this question is too vague I will post some pictures for identification in a few days. Thanks.

Pictures would be required, and the boy will need a TON of information if his pet's life isn't to end tragically. It will need supplemental heat, and a trip to the vet for worming, among other things.

WW is correct. Additionally...Corn Snakes ARE, in fact, Ratsnakes. Pictures could tell us if it is a corn or another kind of rat. Care and handling is close enough that it's more a matter of the individual caught, especially in terms of ease of handling, etc.
If the young man really wants a snake, however, a captive bred one may be a better choice in the long run. Maybe he could keep it for a few days to see if MOm can handle its presence, with the understanding that a baby corn or other rat could be a future project. That could give everyone time to learn more.
If they do keep it, they need to learn all they can ASAP. Direct them to these forums to scan and ask questions. Maybe post some pics. Good luck to all. Duffy

You need to research them anyway. If you want to successfully keep a cornsnake, there is no substitute for info. WC or CB.
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Let there be Lizardz.
- Scott

Usually. I have a wild caught thet has never tried to bite or anything.
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Let there be Lizardz.
- Scott

Has never tried to bite me.
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Let there be Lizardz.
- Scott

How warm is the snake? A cold snake will often act docile, even if it really isn't. Corns are naturally relaxed, but if you have something like a wc black rat, it could be more defensive.

What does the snake look like? Color/pattern? If you could post a picture that would help us give you a positive ID.
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-Andy

Thanks to everyone for your input and help. You've certainly given me something more to think about. Just one note. I did give the boy a copy of Kathy Love's Corn Manual a week or so ago and he has been devouring it since. So he knows the basics. He has a great interest in snakes and is always wanting to handle my corns. He is capable of taking responsibility and caring for one, I believe. The wc snake's belly is all white. So that probably rules out a corn. It's head and body are very dark grey/black with some orangeish color appearing in a symetrical pattern down it's back. The pattern is also washed with dark grey color. Hope that helps some.