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
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

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• In a basement in Bham Al - DANGERJUDY, Mon May 11 08:52:52 2009
• RE: In a basement in Bham Al - chrish, Mon May 11 09:45:37 2009
• RE: In a basement in Bham Al - TOM_CRUTCHFIELD, Mon May 11 10:26:44 2009
• RE: In a basement in Bham Al - TBrophy, Mon May 11 10:30:07 2009
• RE: In a basement in Bham Al - DANGERJUDY, Mon May 11 21:34:05 2009
• RE: In a basement in Bham Al - celticvamp, Mon May 11 23:25:56 2009
• RE: In a basement in Bham Al - lakebum1716, Tue May 12 16:18:48 2009
• RE: In a basement in Bham Al - celticvamp, Tue May 12 17:19:05 2009