Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Saw this little guy when walking on a bicycle path yesterday. I took a small stick and moved him off the path so he wouldn't get pancaked by a bike. I know it isn't venomous but what kind is it? Pic I snapped with my iphone below, the image makes him look big but he was really tiny, only about 6 inches long.

To me, it looks like a baby racer, Coluber constrictor. I am sure others will give their opinions.

That's a baby Black Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus obsoletus).
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Yes, a definite juvenile Black Ratsnake. Here's another one just like it that was also found in New Jersey in a woodpile.

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Hi Doug. I had narrowed it to either racer or ratsnake. What characteristics were you using to be so definitive that it is a ratsnake? I do not necessarily diagree with you, but from the picture provided, how are you so positive? I am asking for my own education, not because I think you are incorrect.

Hi Tim,........

Yes, I very much agree that they can look fairly similar. Here are the feature differences........

The head shape (somewhat flaired and flattened in the pic), the solid gray color of the head, the MUCH smaller eyes (and iris coloration), the more "H" shaped saddle blotching, no finely-mottled side freckling, the forked-shape nuchal marking behind the head/neck, and no gradual fading/blending of the color and blotch pattern towards the tail are all indicative of a juvenile Black rat.

Check out the huge differences here on each one of those characteristics on this very young juvenile Black Racer. None of the above characteristics apply to this one as well.

cheers, ~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

If you click on his photo, it enlarges the photo dramatically enlarges to see all of these key characteristics.

Hope your killer pair of High-yellow Floridana are doing well for you too man!..

cheers, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks for the i.d. tips. I concur; it's a ratsnake. The floridanas are doing great; cannot believe it's been about a year since I got them from you. They are maturing into "school bus" yellow "brooksi".

....I'd love to see some decent pics of them sometime now that they are yearlings. I bet they will be insane looking by two years...

cheers, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks guys.