Can someone identify this snake?

[Rick10]

I just got reprimanded from someone in our development who said that I should have killed the snake or left it at my neighbor's house. Here is his statement in an email he sent to the neighborhood.

"Not to undo your great work and cause, but we recently we had the local TN Wildlife Officer speak to our Rotary Club and he spoke to the RBHOO as well. He stated that taking a wild animal from it's current habit and placing it in another location rarely works. About 90% of the time they won't survive. Other critters in the area will kill them or they don't know where the food source is located and they starve to death. He stated it was more humane to kill them than relocate them. Large animals do better, but small animals such as raccoons, opossums, skunks and snakes don't make it.
I'm no expert, I'm just quoting an expert."

Do you guys agree, I should have killed it, because the neighbor definitely did not want it near his house.

[StudentoReptile]

It varies with species. I have heard that timber rattlesnakes have trouble acclimating to new areas when relocated.

Box turtles also show pretty strong site fidelity and often don't fare well if relocated. On the flipside, most aquatic turtle species do just fine.

But to throw out a huge statistic (that probably isn't correct) for all wild mammals, birds, reptiles, etc...is a pretty strong and rather inaccurate statement IMHO. Many smaller snakes do well enough if relocated. More studies need to be done on each species before making such an outlandish claim.

No, I don't think you should have killed it. I would have done the same thing, and have done so many times. What are you going to do, kill every nuisance animal you find? Or take it in?

[Lankyrob]

Hell, at the end of the day if that stat os right then it will die either way BUT if there is a 10% chance that it could survive then surely let it have that chance!! At let if it dies in the wild it is helping the ecosystem by feeding something else!M

[Rick10]

Another neighbor came back with this response:

"Rick, bet you didn't know it's actually against the law in TN to kill a snake! I'm not familiar with this web site (Laws About Killing Snakes in Tennessee | eHow.com), but assuming it is reliable, it clearly states killing a snake is illegal, with an exception for one in your home."

I figure like both of you guys that giving the snake a chance is better than killing it on the spot. To me that would just be wrong. I think a snake might have a good shot in a new environment.

[Cloudkicker]

Before reading any of the comments, first thing it that came to mind was Drymarchon couperi... From what I have read, they can range up into Tennessee from Georgia.

Either way, it really doesn't look like a Racer or a Black Rat. The head scales are way too indigo looking.

EDIT: Dug up some scale count papers on Northern Black Rats... seems to fit better for this picture than Drymarchon... so I guess, like most others are saying, this IS actually a black rat lol.

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by Rick10

Another neighbor came back with this response:

"Rick, bet you didn't know it's actually against the law in TN to kill a snake! I'm not familiar with this web site (Laws About Killing Snakes in Tennessee | eHow.com), but assuming it is reliable, it clearly states killing a snake is illegal, with an exception for one in your home."

I figure like both of you guys that giving the snake a chance is better than killing it on the spot. To me that would just be wrong. I think a snake might have a good shot in a new environment.

I know on NY it is considered harassing wild life to kill or relocate the snake, unless you have a license allowing you to do so.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Cloudkicker

Before reading any of the comments, first thing it that came to mind was Drymarchon couperi... From what I have read, they can range up into Tennessee from Georgia.

Either way, it really doesn't look like a Racer or a Black Rat. The head scales are way too indigo looking.

EDIT: Dug up some scale count papers on Northern Black Rats... seems to fit better for this picture than Drymarchon... so I guess, like most others are saying, this IS actually a black rat lol.

It is not a black rat snake, for reasons already addressed. Please read the thread again.
--------
While I wouldn't completely rule out Drymarchon couperi, there are several factors that do not favor this candidate:

1.) Range - while yes, some list (possibly erroneously...see previous comments about the inaccuracy of field guide distribution maps) the eastern indigo has being found that far north, obviously, this would be in on the outer fringes of their more common stomping grounds in Georgia, Florida, and along the gulf coast. Not to mention their status as endangered species, this would mean finding one in TN would be a very rare and noteworthy occurence.

2.) Rarity - As mentioned before, this is an endangered species. Even in the "heart" of its natural range, it is not a common species to encounter.

3.) Body shape - The snake in the photograph is rather slender for a healthy Drymarchon sp. Anyone who has seen one or worked with them knows what I'm talking about. If you were to take a skinny indigo by cross-section, you would find a more triangular shape, not a round one, like the snake pictured.

4.) Scales - Yes, both racers and indigos have smooth scales, but anyone who has actually seen an indigo in person can attest to the superior "glossiness" of their scalation. Black racers simply cannot compare.

See the photos below for comparison:

Eastern indigo snake




Black Racer




When one takes into account all those factors, the most likely candidate is a black racer.

[Rick10]

Here is more detail on the Tennessee snake protection laws:

Since the snake I relocated was never a "captive" snake, except for about 30 minutes, I don't think I violated any laws or policies.

http://www.tennsnakes.org/reptile_review.pdf