OK WE HAVE A SNAKE IN OUR UPSTAIRS BATHROOM! CAN YOU TELL ME IF A RAT SNAKE IS VENOMOUS? I KNOW IT'S ALL BLACK.....PLEASE HELP! MY BROTHER IS TRAPPED!!!
2006-09-30 15:27:32 · 17 answers · asked by D'reux 5 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
IT COULD BE A copperhead
2006-09-30 15:30:58 · update #1
It's about 3 or 4 feet long
2006-09-30 15:46:07 · update #2
I'm from Oklahoma what snakes r here........water ones i know
2006-09-30 15:46:58 · update #3
I'm not at home. he called me and told me what happend!
2006-09-30 15:48:27 · update #4
How long is the snake?
Rat snakes are NOT venomous. Copperheads are not usually black, but then again I'm in the south. If the snake is older, you can look at the head. If it has a triangular shape to it, then the snake is probably venomous. However, this is not always true.
Have your brother try to SLOWLY leave the bathroom. Snakes are attracted by quick and sudden movements. NEVER RUN FROM A SNAKE!!! Or any other predator, for that matter. It triggers their instinct to hunt.
If that doesn't work, since he's in the bathroom, try placing a towel on the snake. Remember, a snake can only strike about 3/4 the length of its body. So, if the snake is a foot long, it's not going to hit you from 3 feet away!
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!
2006-09-30 15:38:27 · answer #1 · answered by tn_lovett 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rat snakes are not poisonous, and I doubt that copperheads come in a black color morph. Rat snakes, on the other had, can be bred to have loads of color morphs, so a black one would be reasonable. If you're sure it's a rat snake, don't worry about it. If it bites, you, it'll bleed a bit, yes, but after it stops, I doubt you'll even have a scab to remember it by. I have a corn snake for a pet, which is a kind of rat snake. Also, I know plenty of people that when they go on vacation, they just grab any corn or rat snake that slithers by. If it's pretty, they take it home. :) (They're not endangered or anything, so dont worry.)
Well anyway, if you're still scared of it, just put a towel on it, like the other person said. Just grab it through the towel and put it outside. If it ever comes in your house again, just do the same thing. Please don't kill it. Would you rather have one snake or the average 1 rat every 2 weeks that the rat snake would have eaten?
2006-10-01 00:41:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not venomouse as far as i know, but they do bite and hard. IF UR BROTHER IS TRAPPED THROW A PILLOW CASE OVER THE SNAKE AND QUICKLY RUN BY IT WHEN IT IS COVERED AFTER THAT IT SHOULD CALM DOWN AND YOU CAN LOCK IT IN THE ROOM, QUICK!
Copper head- A Copperhead snake bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. Many people are bitten while trying to kill or handle the snake. Don't take chances -- avoid these snakes. BUT DONT WORRY ABOUT IT IF IT DOESNT LOOK LIKE THIS THEN IT IS NOT A COPPERHEAD:copper-colored heads. The rest of their body, their back and sides, have a tan to pinkish background color, and their striking pattern is topped off with hourglass shaped cross bands that vary in color among different Copperhead populations
QUICK, GO CHECK!
2006-09-30 22:32:21 · answer #3 · answered by Dominique-Duh! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your additional note says 'it could be a copperhead'
I don't think copperheads come in an all black color 'phase' but there is no need to risk getting bit.
Most snakes slow down when they cool off.
Most snakes don't want anything to do with you, and would rather get away from you.
Have your brother WET a big towel with COLD water- pitch the wet towel over the snake and get him out of the bathroom. The wet will help pin it down, and the cold will slow it down.
If you really think this MIGHT be a copperhead, or are uncertain of how to handle it without getting bit, shut the bathroom door, stick a towel under the door crack (so it can't crawl underneath) and give animal control a call.
Use your downstairs bathroom...
2006-09-30 22:39:47 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Max 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where are you geographically-the U.S.A.?If so,where?
If you are in Australia get a professional to deal with it,the Australian common black snake is aggressive and has one of the planets deadliest venoms.
In the U.S.A. there is only one snake that I know of that is black and venomous-the water moccasin aka cottonmouth.It IS venomous but not particularly deadly.It has a pure white inner mouth-you'll see it if it hisses.There are a lot more non-venomous black snakes than venomous in North America.Even if it IS venomous NO North American snake is terribly aggressive so if you DO NOT CORNER IT and give it a place to run away it will flee you.Though SOME North American snakes CAN injure or kill with their venom humans are much bigger than their normal prey and they do not wish to waste their venom on defense.Please update.I hope everyone is ok.But PLEASE don't kill the snake!
2006-10-01 01:08:40 · answer #5 · answered by iguanarama42 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your brother is "Trapped" and instead of calling 911 you sit down at your computer and post this question. Yeah OK!
Maybe the best thing would be for your brother to flush himself down the toilet to escape this snake. At least when he came out of the other end he would be safe even if he smelled like feces like this question smells like. Haha!
2006-09-30 22:39:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
rat snakes are not poisonous. call animal control. keep youself a safe distance away from the snake, because poisonous or not a bite will hurt
2006-09-30 23:05:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rat snake is not venomous, call your local animal controll and they will send some one to get it, or you can call your police department. it will not hurt you if it is a rat snake.If you are not sure what it is call some one that knows what they are doing.
2006-09-30 22:31:08 · answer #8 · answered by pinkpiggies336 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A rat snake is safe to capture. A bit may make you a bit sickly feeling for a minute or two, but will not hurt you.
2006-09-30 22:31:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go away snake
2006-09-30 22:37:34 · answer #10 · answered by dale 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋