Snake I.D., is it a copperhead?

[BarryONash]

Good morning folks. This was on my back doorstop this morning. Abt 16-18 inches. Live in Piedmont North Carolina, rural, heavily wooded around house. I've had many black snakes but this appears to be a small copperhead. Pond nearby as well. Many toads around carport; he looks as if he's had a meal. Can you help me identify? Thank you. Barry35559

[Tsubaki]

That is 100% sure not a copperhead, I'm on my phone but it seems to be a juvenile black ratsnake.They have more visible pattern than adults. It does appear to have eaten a big meal! Hope you let it go!

[SWDK]

Agree with the above post. Definitely in no way a copperhead. It's a young Ratsnake that's completely harmless with a very full belly.

[FWK]

Eastern Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), commonly called a Black Rat Snake. Harmless. Looks like it recently took care of a rodent or two for you. Nice picture, thanks for sharing.

[Magdalen]

Man a rodent or two? Looks more like a sausage haha.

[SerpentineDream]

Free pest control - keep that little guy around!

[sattva]

You might what to check and count your animals to make sure they're all there!

[BarryONash]

Thank you all for replying. He did have a full belly, but I checked all 4 of my dogs and they're accounted for. Right after I posted, I read an article on the NC State Univ website that says the juvenile rat snake is often mis-identified as a copperhead even though they have only a slight resemblance. So I've learned something and thank you all again.

[Pareeeee]

Haha don't worry, that snake will never be big enough to eat a dog. These types of snakes are great pest control, cleaning up rodents wherever they go :)