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Help, we have a snake.

From what I can tell, I think he is what they call a Florida Black Racer, a common, generic but FAST snake, thin and black, no special markings. I'm not afraid of snakes generally, but this one creeps me out.

But, a Cottonmouth can also be totally black! The Cottonmouth, or Water Moccasin, is much thicker than the Black Racer. It's also much slower, and has a large head. The Black Racer is usually 3' or 4' long, a little under 1" in diameter, and it has a light gray, almost white, belly.

This being said, to be honest, I didn't spend too much time measuring or looking at the size of it's head or the color of its belly. And we don't want it to bite the dogs.

I've put a post up about Snake-A-Way on Your Pet Friendly Community but need your help, please! What can we do to remove it? Has anyone used Snake-A-Way? What if it is a Cottonmouth? Have you dealt with any snakes at your listings, or when showing homes? How do you deal with it?

Posted by Molly of The Pet Realty Network on 07/06/2007 09:21 AM

Comments (17)

snakes

17 Comments on Help, we have a snake.

JUL

2007

Don't suppose you have a photo of the snake, or could find one on the internet? (Yeah, I know, there's a lot that look very similar, our rat snakes look a lot like rattlers if you don't look at their tail too close.)

I don't particularly have snake issues, due to my upbringing, but also don't have major issues with shooting them. But a racer would be pretty hard to shoot unless it's pretty torpid. If it's a cottonmouth, while it's likely just as afraid of you as you are of it (based on my childhood experiences - meet snake on path, we each jump and head back the way we came as fast as possible), there is the dog issue, and having had a dog (and a horse) bit by rattlers, I'm none to kindhearted when they start biting my buddies. There ARE limits to sharing my space with the native fauna, and that's it. And you can't expect the dog to leave it alone, either, that just isn't natural.

My best advice is to figure out a way to kill it. But I don't know what that is if you can't shoot it or get it with a machete.

No picture. But I'll try to dig one up online that looks similar. Oh my gosh, I can just picture me now outside with a machete. Thanks.

I would love a photo of Molly attempting to get a photo of the snake. Tricia, you are so right about dogs not leaving snakes alone and that is what I am afraid of as all the dogs in the office seem to go out in the garden the same time the snake takes its morning slither.

Ha Ha Rhona, very funny. How about a photo of me with a machete. Thats even better.

JUL

2007

I recently had a friend that was bitten by a copperhead snake here in South Carolina. So after doing some research on getting rid of snakes I found out some interesting tidbits: 1st, not all snakes hate moth balls, some actually enjoy eating them and 2nd, you can purchase a "king" snake because it eats other snakes, let it take care of business and then since they're very slow, you can remove it or kill it after a couple of weeks. Hope this helps...

JUL

2007

Hi Molly

I think black racers actually eat other snakes & vermin & they may be protected in Florida.

I know of a Jack Russel who has been bitten 3 times by a rattle snake & survived each encounter, not learning his lesson either time at a cost of $1,000- to his owner on each occasion!

JUL

2007

I sympathize with you completely. Yesterday I was letting out the dogs out of the garage side door and I saw a black snake half way in, under the door! As soon as I screamed the snake disappeared really fast! This snake was black and about an inch thick. I don’t know how long it was because part of it was outside. The part I saw was about 6 inches long. So it might be small, I really can tell. But it was too thick for my taste. The only other snakes I've had to deal with since living here in Florida were tiny little things no more than a quarter of an inch thick.

Molly, if you find a way to get rid of the snake, please share it here. Among other things, I believe we need to replace the garage door for one that doesn't have a gap!

JUL

2007

Not sure how I would feel about buying a second snake to kill the first one - now I would have two snakes!! Yikes!

Stephanie

This just cracks me up. I have rattlers and bull snakes in Southern Colorado. One day both my dogs and I walked up on one that was coiled! After I got all 3 of us back in the house I called the vet, I wasn't sure if it struck or not, I was in such a panic. The vet asked me about the markings etc... My response? I didn't stop and get any ID!

I am terrified of snakes. I hope that you can find a resource to help you out. I would call animal control -- or critter control and see if they can help or can suggest someone. Good luck.

Molly, if the snake was thin, it most likely was a black racer. Completely harmless to you and your pets. Actually a good thing to have around as it will eat any mice that are around and other little things. A water moccassin (cottonmouth) is thicker of body with a fat head. We also have diamondback rattlesnakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, coral snakes (venom) and king snakes (non-venom). Just remember RED ON BLACK IS A FRIEND OF JACK (king), RED ON YELLOW WILL KILL A FELLOW (coral). There are a couple more species in FL that you can look up. There are several good websites that you can look at. Do a search and they will come up.

My shepherd is currently recovering from a venomous bite. We did not see what bit him, so we don't know exactly what to blame. However, my Apache Snake Worrior no long terrorizes the black racers in our yard. Sooooo, I am thinking a snake got him. Here is a picture of his muzzle, taken after the swelling went down and the flesh became nercrotic and sloughed off. He now just has an open wound that is slowly healing itself.

Apache

JUL

2007

Thanks to everyone for their tips. I haven't seen the snake in a few days. But we watch very closely when we take the dogs out.

Most pets tend to get bit on the face, because when they come upon the snake and take a closer look, as most interested dogs do, thats when it strikes.

Michelle: Poor Apache! I can't believe it! Please give him a big hug from us and keep us updated on his progress.

Joe: I didn't know they may be protected in Fla...good to know.

Amy: Have you tried the 2nd king snake option yourself? You must see your share of snakes in SC.

JUL

2007

Thanks for your concern Molly! He is slowly healing. The open wound area has gotten smaller. Another week or 2 and it should be healed over, IMO. How is your snake problem coming along?

JUL

2007

Michelle, good to hear. Haven't seen our friend for a few days. I think he likes to lull us into a false sense of security.

Hi Molly, when I moved to Florida about ten years ago I was terrified of snakes and the prospect of encountering them considering the many species we do have here.

Back then we lived in a home with acreage surrounded by undeveloped woods and over the years I encountered a great variety of snakes all in our own backyard. Since I couldn't really keep them out I decided it was best to learn about them and I bought a very good snake guide with good photos and descriptions.

Mind you, just looking at the pictures freaked me out in the beginning! But it worked. I learned about the different snakes' behavior, their habitat, and coloring and was able to identify what was crawling around in my yard and even got to the point to appreciate the diversity and yes, the beauty of some of these creatures (I would never handle one though). What really comforted me was the fact that most Florida snakes are not venomous or out to attack. If given a choice most will flee from you.

As to your black snake, you may have done your research already, if not here is just one website http://myfwc.com/viewing/species/snakesn.html#racer with good information but there are so many more with good photos.

By the way, we now live in a coastal area on a saltwater canal and we have a resident black racer as well. He/she just moves between the different yards and we see it pretty regular. The other day, my husband was sitting in the yard on a chair when he felt a swift move across his foot -- it was the racer going across on his way to somewhere. It startled my husband but they both lived! Good luck!

AUG

2007

what about lime? does it work?

SEP

2007

I do not care for snakes at all. My older son had a pet snake and I didn't like her either. He used to tell me--she is so sweet. Yeah right! He got it after he moved out, by the way.

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