Can someone identify this snake?

[atikovi]

Washington DC area, about 18 inches. When I tap it's tail, instead of slithering away, it goes in defense mode.

www.fototime.com/D042E36CA03A9D2/large.jpg

www.fototime.com/4C26DF04C64EEB4/large.jpg

[Jim Smith]

It looks like a harmless Rat Snake. It's best to just leave it alone and let it do it's job controlling rodents in the area.

[atikovi]

OK, just seemed pretty aggressive for a "harmless" snake.

[Bandit]

Rat snake. Nonvenomous. In my book, that's harmless. They can and will bite if disturbed, but that bite would be almost painless.

[MnGuy]

It’s being defensive, not aggressive. Big difference.

[kudzu]

The snake is essentially harmless to you, but you are a deadly predator to the snake. And though it isn't your intention, tapping on its tail seems like an aggressive action to the snake. Thus the snake becomes defensive. Leave it be and it will eventually slither away.

[Veronica]

Yep, rat snake. They are pretty defensive. (Understandabley, humans are mighty large compared to a small snake.) A cool thing is that they sometimes rattle their tails against leaves when they are frightened!
And yeah, I've been bitten by one that size before; hardly felt a thing.

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Veronica

And yeah, I've been bitten by one that size before; hardly felt a thing.

Won't try that, will take your word for it.

[sgtstinky]

Do they turn black as a adults in the DC area?