Is this normal behavior?

jcjc15 · 09-24-15, 08:30 PM

Hello all, had my first encounter with a black snake but was not sure what kind it was. I was using a public out door restroom taking a leak when a black snake entered the stall blocking me in. He raised his head while his tongue rapidly moved. I slowly tried to walk by but he began trying to strike anything close to him. I grabbed a nearby plunger and was able to push him away. He slithered right back toward me and was pushed away again. Finally I was able to hold him down with the plunger by the door and managed to open it and push him out.

I've never heard of snakes approaching and cornering peoe before. Is this water mocassin behavior or water snake? He was striking but I couldn't tell if it was s cottonmouth. He was all black, small head and raised his head 45 degrees. I was too scared to notice anything else.

jhonsoneric86 · 09-29-15, 07:12 AM

Call a snake expert immediately as according to me this behavior is not of a normal snake.

reptiledude987 · 09-29-15, 04:14 PM

its impossible for us to be able to say what it is without a picture.

MDT · 09-29-15, 05:05 PM

doubtful it was a moccasin. most likely a racer or black rat snake...they are not aggressive, however, on occasion if you really pi$$ them off, their movements and them "standing their ground" (so-to-speak) can be misinterpreted as aggression/chasing/etc.

AZretic · 09-29-15, 05:22 PM

I'm currently watching the tv show ZOO..maybe it wants to kill and eat you? Just saying..

Bandit · 09-29-15, 05:43 PM

Where are you located? Doesn't sound like a Cottonmouth to me. Not their typical behavior, and I wouldn't describe their heads as being small. I agree with MDT, maybe it was a racer or rat snake.

toddnbecka · 09-29-15, 11:23 PM

Hmm, may have had snake rabies, that makes them act odd... lol.
Seriously though, aside from being scared, did you happen to notice whether the belly was black too? Black racers are black all around, only a little yellow under the chin. They do tend to be more defensive than black rat snakes, which typically have a white or checkered belly.

rubbertoes · 09-30-15, 07:52 AM

im thinking probably black racer. what state are you in?