A friend in TX sent me a pic of a small orange snake w/ fairly narrow black stripes. Anyone know what it is?

Answer 1

Possibly a garter snake or ribbon snake. From University of Massachusetts:

"Generally, you can recognize this most common of all New England snakes (garter) by its pattern of yellow stripes on a black or brown background. Although the pattern is variable, it usually consists of a narrow stripe down the middle of the back and a broad stripe on each side. Between the center and each side stripe are two rows of alternating black spots. A dark line separating the yellow side stripe from the belly is not particularly bold as it is in the ribbon snake. Background color is usually brown or black, but may be somewhat green or reddish. Stripes may be tan, yellow or orange. A garter snake will occasionally appear more checkered than striped. The scales are keeled and the belly is yellow or pale green."

"The ribbon snake is a very slender, striped snake, similar in appearance to the garter snake but with a much longer tail. Tail length for the ribbon snake generally accounts for one third or more of total body length. It is boldly patterned with three yellow stripes on a reddish-brown background. A distinct dark band separates each side stripe from the belly. The ribbon snake has keeled scales and a belly that is pale yellow or pale green."

These two types of snakes are all over North America and there is great variation in color. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

in Texas, it could have been a coral snake. They come in orange, reddish or yellow with black stripes. Poisonous nasty snake, and they're all over the place in wooded areas in texas, especially near water.

Answer 3

ask a vet