S/he surprised me while I was watering...what kind?

[harrywitmore]

Well, this is definately a rat snake. It coud be many. It's not a Corn Snake since as juveniles they have the the coloration. I suspect it a yellow, gray or black ratsnake.

[Amanda L]

Here is a link to Wikipedia. The snake that you found is just one of many, many colors of corn snakes. Either way, I think that I would have freaked out, even if at first, at seeing this on one of my chids. YAY SPRING!

File:Anerycorn.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[phearamedusa]

Members on Herp Center, feel that its a rat snake. My other half said the same some sort of rat/corn/hognose snake. If you have this little guy probably don't have to many problems with other nuisance pests, mice, moles etc...

[vmax3000]

Thanks, all! S/he can stay as long as we can get along. I saw no sign of the little creature this evening, while I was checking on the heaters. It's supposed to get down to the high 30s (F) tonight! Does anyone know if these snakes eat crickets? I am dealing with crickets and roaches in the gh. If not, I figure something out!

[phearamedusa]

get some geckos, they eat bugs.

[harrywitmore]

As juveniles they eat most anything they can catch. They prefer lizards when small though.

[kinknstein]

So kool!

[Jkelee]

I was checking out my chids last week, in my hotel as usual. I'm just admiring around, and see a lizard getting thrown up, down, all around. I couldn't tell why? Until the SNAKE apeared out of my chid!! I about died!! Goose bumps the size of mountains!! I ran inside told my hubbie to get out there and get him out of my chids! By the time we ran back out, he was gone of course.
But it sure makes me open my EYES, wide open before 'touching' anything on, around, or in my hotel, or greenhouse!!

[orkie]

Hi!

Couldn't help but chime in, I'm a PhD student who studies snakes...looks like a juvenile corn snake to me and based on your location likely is (although juv. rat snakes can be very similar in appearance), they can be a bit brighter in coloration, but typically have the head markings on your photo. Anyway, rat snakes and corn snakes are in the same genus (Pantherophis, used to be Elaphe) and are pretty similar in terms of behavior and biology. As juveniles, they are partial to lizards and baby mice, as adults, bigger mice, rats, sometimes birds and eggs. It's pretty unlikely one will eat any insects...baby snakes (and many adults) are usually very particular about prey type to the point where they will starve rather than eat what isn't their preferred prey type. That's not to say snakes won't occasionally eat something that isn't their normal preferred prey, but it's unusual that they do. Snakes in the genus Patherophis are all constrictors, which also tips off what they like to eat-things with teeth that can fight back and that are easier to deal with if they pre-kill them with constriction. Snakes that do eat a lot of insects (e.g. racers) don't need to worry much about getting getting bit by them and hence just swallow things down.

Very cool find!

Sara

[Royal]

Originally Posted by orkie

Hi!

Anyway, rat snakes and corn snakes are in the same genus (Pantherophis, used to be Elaphe) and are pretty similar in terms of behavior and biology.

Looks like you were all right! If it was a "what's this NOID orchid" thread, genus is usually good enough, right? Thanks orkie.