Swivelhead Report post Posted July 22, 2019 A friend of mine found this snake inside her home this morning. I do not know what it is, suspect it is very young as it is small. Any ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
360 0r Better Report post Posted July 22, 2019 Looks to be a very juvenile ring neck snake they get more color to them as they get bigger can grow up to 3ft mildly venomous but it is used to subdue prey harmless to humans 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ctafoya Report post Posted July 22, 2019 Worm snake. We used to catch them by the dozens in NM as a kid. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
360 0r Better Report post Posted July 22, 2019 Worm snakes don’t have black heads Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arizona Griz Report post Posted July 22, 2019 It looks like one of 3 or 4 species of Black Headed snakes to me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted July 22, 2019 8 hours ago, 360 0r Better said: Looks to be a very juvenile ring neck snake they get more color to them as they get bigger can grow up to 3ft mildly venomous but it is used to subdue prey harmless to humans I agree. Not all "ring-necked Snakes" have the ring behind the head. If it is, It should get some color on the belly as it matures. Also, could be a black-headed snake depending on where she lives. Smith's (most common and widespread), Plains, Chihuahuan, or Yaqui. Either way, Good snake=do not kill. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted July 22, 2019 2 hours ago, lancetkenyon said: I agree. Not all "ring-necked Snakes" have the ring behind the head. If it is, It should get some color on the belly as it matures. Also, could be a black-headed snake depending on where she lives. Smith's (most common and widespread), Plains, Chihuahuan, or Yaqui. Either way, Good snake=do not kill. In addition to being an extremely knowledgable reloader, Lance is a great herpetologist! He's absolutely correct. Its definitely a Tantilla (black-headed snake genus). Three of the four species are so hard to tell apart. The Chihuahuan is the only one that stands out, due to the white ring behind the black. If you're in the valley, its Tantilla hobartsmithi (Smith's). 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted July 22, 2019 Thanks for the ID. She lives in north Phx so it is the Smiths black headed snake. I knew I could count on you guys. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
