what kind of snake? - Page 2

Jeff Hathaway · 09-02-04, 09:23 AM

Thanks for the thorough post, Cam. As for the 99% stat, I don't think I'd take the word of 'YoungBucks' website for the absolute truth. I won't waste anytime arguing it, either, as NO ONE has the data to say what the ratio of abundance of venomous to non-venomous snakes would be beyond a guess. Most species haven't even had population studies done, except the rarest which obviously would account for almost nothing of the total (since they're rare!). However, undoubtably most snakes are harmless, especially in New York state. Copperheads, Eastern Massasaugas, and Timber Rattlesnakes are the only venomous species there, and the latter two are quite rare.

Juvenile rats and racers are possibilities, but to me it sounds like an eastern milksnake.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Murse · 09-22-04, 10:55 AM

Your info says your location is Chester , NY ... what part of Ny is Chester in ? I lived in Syracuse for 30 years.... Rattlesnakes and Copperheads are very rare in Ny..... a 10 inch snake .... I'm guessing a juvenile Black Rat Snake... wild rats can be very ornery.

JD@reptiles · 09-22-04, 01:44 PM

i say its either a eastern milk or a nerodia ssp. there is no snake in NY called a "harmless grass snake" or really any snake in north america that has the word grass in its name. either way if it didn't have a rattle your more than likely safe. for the record, ID the snake before you pick it up.

John Doe · 10-03-04, 10:19 AM

Raintoad! That's a pretty stupid thing to say to someone who don't know what type of snakes he's dealing with. When you have poisonous snakes in your area, even if they are more than rare, you sould never take any chances, (even more if a child is concerned), when you are not absolutly sure of the species you are dealing with. If i fallow your reasonment, if you walk the streets with a child and find a gun, you're gonna put the thing against the head of the child just to educate about fire arms, without knowing if it's loaded or not. Rattlesnakes don't always have a rattle, or because they lost it or because it's too youg and with a snake in the wild, it's often pretty confusing to be sure of what species you're dealing with. By the way, Timber rattlers rarely rattle when they are scared, prefering to stay still, hoping they won't bee seen.

Always be carefull when you give advices to people who don't know what type of animals they're dealing with, even more if you don't know it yourself.

I,ve been working with poisonous snakes in the wild and in captivity for many years and you can believe me that it's not always very evident to be certain of the species you re dealing with at first sight.

mambacatcher127 · 11-26-05, 08:29 AM

where do you live?

mambacatcher127 · 11-26-05, 08:31 AM

sorry shouldnt have asked that, depending on where you live, sounds like it might be a baby southern diamond back rattle snake.

mambacatcher127 · 11-26-05, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cole

It didnt have a rattle so i knew it wasnt a rattle snake, it had a long slender tail. normally i would have just forgotten about it but ive never seen a non venomous snake act like that. ive seen tons of rattle snakes and copperheads around my house and they all go into that position. If i see it again ill take a pic of it. Since i didnt think it was a rattlesnake or a copperhead i nudged it into a little bucket and put it back in the woods.

there are a few non venomous snakes that do that thing with there tail, usually against a leaf or the grass which makes it sound like a rattle, therefore scaring a predator away.

**Andy_G** · 11-26-05, 09:46 AM

I agree with Simon, that's pretty thick.

new addiction r · 11-26-05, 11:40 AM

Raintoad:
I totally disagree with your statements. If you were any kind of snake person then you would know NOT to just jump into a dangerous situation IE. JUST PICK IT UP. If you knew any better you would realize that even a rear fanged snake that is not necessarily dangerous to humans could potentially harm a young child. Also there are snakes that mimic their venomous counterparts so you dont always know what they are. In the future I would think about the advice that I give before I give it if I were you.

NYPD70 · 11-26-05, 02:17 PM

I think your best bet would be to get yourself a good field guide like the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. It has excellent pics and you should have little trouble finding a pic of, and identifying the animal you saw in your yard. I definitely do not suggest picking it up and handing it to anyone of any age until you've properly identified it. Good luck!