Florida Backyard Snake Identification

flsnake · 07-14-19, 10:42 AM

Hi guys,

I just found this snake in our backyard (Tampa, Golf coast area).

Any idea what that could be?

The size was approximately 8 inch, it did not try to flee, lifted his head and shaked its back when it saw us.

I thought it might look similar to an eastern diamondback rattlesnake, but I might be completely wrong.

Thanks!

Veronica · 07-14-19, 01:52 PM

I'm pretty sure that is a very young racer. Completely harmless!

An interesting fact is that a *lot* of snakes shake their tails when scared, including black rat snakes– isn't just rattlesnakes, which I think is really cool.

flsnake · 07-14-19, 02:23 PM

Thank you!

I did not think of a racer as I thought that these were always black.

Just googled around and it looks like the younger ones are more grayish? Do they turn black when growing up?

toddnbecka · 07-14-19, 08:23 PM

Ya, juvenile black racer, very common in FL and completely harmless. Not a good species to catch and keep for a pet, they're very active and need a large enclosure. Plenty of harmless species vibrate the tip of their tail when alarmed, including corn and king snakes as well as rat snakes. My woma python even does it.