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Black racer or black rat snake?

Melissa32483

New member
I just rescued a snake from my cousins friend pool. It's about 4 feet long. The boys were about to wack it with a shovel (to stun it) and then decapitate it.

Considering I just moved to NC from NY a few weeks ago... I know NOTHING of the venomous snakes here. I was a little hesitant at first because I was afraid of getting bit. But I caught it and it's in a 30-40 gal sterilite in my garage. I snapped a couple pictures. I'm pretty sure it's a black racer or black rat snake. But I'm leaning more towards black rat because in the sterilite it seems very mellow and isn't fussing much when I open the lid. Oh and the stomach from what I can see is white and black "speckled" looking. Very grainy.

I'm going to attach a couple pictures. Please, any and all opinions are welcome. Also... considering it does seem reasonably mellow, would it be ok to keep it? I have a 40 gallon tank with nothing in it and I certainly wouldn't mind an extra pet. :)

Thanks everyone!

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101_0477.jpg
 
It's a black rat snake. They're usually very nice. They calm down like corn snakes, most of them.
If you keep it around other snakes take it to the vet first, keep it quarantined until you do.
 
Thanks, Alan. I was having trouble orienting myself on the page. :D
Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta. Lots in Louisiana. In my experience a racer, if not latched onto you with his jaws, would have long proven his name, not sticking around for pics.
 
Welcome to NC btw and looks like a nice Black Rat. They do calm down for the most part and are a nice big rat snake when they grow up!
 
Welcome to good ole NC. There are 37 different snakes in NC and 6 of them are venomous. They are the Timber Rattle snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattle snake, Pygmy Rattle snake, Copperhead, Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin, and the Coral Snake. You found the most common snake in NC which is the Black Rat snake. Here is a link to Davidson College's Herp./Biology Departments Amphibian and Reptile ID page. http://www.herpsofnc.org/
 
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