What snake is this?

[salparadise]

I have no idea. Can someone identify him? I caught him crawling along on the carpet in my living room and captured him in a five gallon bucket. He's about a foot long, maybe a bit more stretched straight out. I assume he's harmless but I'd like to know for sure that it's not a baby copperhead. Thanks!

~apparently I'm not allowed to post a pic. Visit this url for the image.

johntice.com/images/snake.jpg

[Andy_G]

It's a harmless rat snake.

[salparadise]

Thank you! Yes, that's it - baby Eastern Rat snake. Common to all areas of Virginia.

I guess the next question would be what to do with him - if I turn him lose outdoors is he just going to come back inside? Will he keep the place free of mice if I let him hang around? Or should I take him some distance away and release?

My girlfriend would not be happy if she knew I found him inside, much less if he happened to make another appearance when she's here.

[jay's reptiles]

Just a harmless baby black rat snake. Keep in mind baby black rat snakes aren't fully black untill they are adults