snake in the yard

[jag.40]

i just walked outside my house and in front of my deck was a snake at least 3 and a half foot long it was dark grey not quite black and rattled it's tail when it saw me it had no other markings was just the one solid color does anyone have any idea as to what it may be

 

[netsecurity]

Most likely a black rat snake in these parts. The tail may have just been rattling some grass?

 

[jag.40]

im sorry that may have not been the right word he was just shaking his tail he was not making any noise when doing it

 

[.452browning]

I'm no snake expert but it sounds like a rat snake shaking its tail to mimic a rattlesnake as a defense. Lots of snakes do that I hear.

 

[UNCLE HARLEY]

i just walked outside my house and in front of my deck was a snake at least 3 and a half foot long it was dark grey not quite black and rattled it's tail when it saw me it had no other markings was just the one solid color does anyone have any idea as to what it may be

If he was at my house he would be D-e-a-d!!!

 

[gungirl65]

If he was at my house he would be D-e-a-d!!!

Snakes are your friend. So are spiders. They eat the real pests. I saw one at my moms the other day. We checked each other out and then went about our business.

 

[dreamer56]

Yep, now that my kids are old enough to know better I let them live. They keep the mouse population down, at least that is what I tell my wife. She hates mice more than snakes.

 

[TJSaltdog]

Either a Rat or Hog nose snake. Both are harmless.

 

[UNCLE HARLEY]

Snakes are your friend. So are spiders. They eat the real pests. I saw one at my moms the other day. We checked each other out and then went about our business.

The porch is MY turf. If he wants to live in the yard, so be it.

 

[dbrier]

It wouldn't be a hognose, they are small and don't grow to be very long.

Snakes are your friend. So are spiders. They eat the real pests. I saw one at my moms the other day. We checked each other out and then went about our business.

I'm with you. I'm always amused at the big tough guys who are afraid of snakes and think they have to kill them.

 

[wagyu52]

Is Doug all right? You kill that snake before it hurts my little Douglas Just to be safe send Dakota out first... She is expendable.

 

[jag.40]

I'm all for snakes being around we live in the woods so I'm used to a few small ones around the yard but this was bigger than any snake I had seen at my house so far... And yes Doug is fine as big as the snake was I'm sure it didn't have a month to waste attempting to eat her

 

[dubsac]

Probably living under your deck where its cool and dark. I had one living under my pond in my flower bed scared the crap out of my pregnant wife. She thought she was goin to have the baby right then and there.

 

[goinggreyfast]

Don't know what the big deal is about snakes (non-venomous anyway). We had a HUGE black snake living in our crawl space when we lived out in the country. It was one of those 70's FMHA developments outside of Springville. We were the only house in the area who didn't have mice too.

 

[ruger1800]

Sounds like a rat snake they always shake their tails like a rattler, as long as you have plenty of these around you wont have any copperheads, bring every rat snake i find home and turn it loose.

 

[netsecurity]

Sounds like a rat snake they always shake their tails like a rattler, as long as you have plenty of these around you wont have any copperheads, bring every rat snake i find home and turn it loose.

The giveaway to me was that it was over 3ft. long. It is a large snake, and that is quite unusual. We called them "black racers" or "black rat snakes" when I was a kid. They were often found bathing in the sunlight on the pavement, and quite a sight to see.

 

[jag.40]

i saw why you would call them "black racers" by time i got close to him he was on the way to the nearest tree line and didnt waste anytime getting there..... why do you say having these around will prevent copperheads from coming around ?

 

[Deadly Z Driver]

Either a Rat or Hog nose snake. Both are harmless.

To big to be a hognose!

 

[Deadly Z Driver]

The giveaway to me was that it was over 3ft. long. It is a large snake, and that is quite unusual. We called them "black racers" or "black rat snakes" when I was a kid. They were often found bathing in the sunlight on the pavement, and quite a sight to see.

Black Racers are a different snake all together.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/snakes/snakes4.html

 

[jag.40]

I would have to say it was a black racer it was dull black, no pattern, and very quick thanks for the help everyone