Snake ID please?

[wsmoak]

I caught a Really Big Snake (over 6') coming out of the bird house where some Eastern bluebirds were nesting.

I have young chickens in a chain link pen not far from there, this guy could certainly swallow a few (but I hope he's full for now.)

http://www.pbase.com/wendysmoak/snake

Can anyone help identify it? I'm in south-west Georgia if that helps.

Thanks!

 

[inkypinky]

Im no herpatologist- but id put my money on it being a southern water snake- they can look similar to moccasins but not venomous-- but my snake protocol is always run first and check lethal abilities later-

 

[wsmoak]

Hmmm.... I don't see a Southern water snake listed on http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/index.htm but there is a Northern one!

Based on that site I think it might be a pine snake (except that it says they are rare.) Pointy nose, and blotches on the back.

I am relatively sure it's not venomous -- definitely no rattles and the head doesn't look right. The other venomous options would be copperhead or cottonmouth, and I think we're safe on both counts there.

But I didn't get that close, it was big!

 

[Lollipop]

Sure, I`m in Pike County, just north of you. That`s a rat snake. Have had them on my property. They eat lots of vermin, but also eat eggs, chicks, and my most recent casualty, guinea keets. They aren`t poisonous and usually grow to about 6 ft. They emit a very strong musty smell when captured, as a defence. Don`t be afraid, but guard your birds and eggs........Pop

 

[TwistedSerpent]

Its a black ratsnake (Pantherophis [Elaphe] obsoleta). 100% harmless as in no venom.

 

[OccamsTazer]

Rat snake.
Non-venomous, helpful to have around as long as your chicks are secured!

 

[Yvonne37894]

found one just like it in the shed last night, rat snake

 

[Alabama ee]

This is very interesting tells how to identify poisonous snakes

http://www.hsu.edu/content.aspx?id=3575

 

[StupidBird]

Looks like this?

this is from last year. Rat snake #2 for 2009. DS (in photo) wants to keep the next one for his own instead of giving it away to nice homes far away. The 2009 rat snakes are barn pets at a friends stable. Look closely and you can count the five eggs it ate.

 

[Mervin]

Wow, that's pretty crazy. Now that you say it, it does look like a rat snake except the ones we see here in central PA are jet black with a white under belly.