White and black banded snake?

Question

There was a snake being caught in my apartment complex today which I didn't know. I'm pretty sure it's not native to Florida. I would describe it as white, with black bands. It was about 4' long.

I'm guessing it was a former pet and had escape or been released.

Can anyone tell me what this snake might be?

Answer 1

I would definately say that it's a Kingsnake of some sort, probably an escaped California King, but there is also a variety of Kingsnake native to northern Florida, called the Appalachicola King, that varies greatly in pattern, and they also can be white with black bands, though the bands in that particular phase tend to resemble oval patches. If the snake is small, it's also very likely that it's a baby Gray Ratsnake, also known as a "White Oak" Ratsnake. As youngsters, their background coloration does tend to be a very pale silver, that can look white to some people. These are very common in Florida, and like most Ratsnakes, they do have a tendency to wind up inside buildings.

Answer 2

Depending where you are at. It sound like California Kingsnake. They are not poisonous, however, if you are scare of snake then can be dangerous to yourself. If you are not scare of the snake then it's no problem. They are pretty cool to see :-) Obviously if the snake is poisonous, then don't yourself in a harm way to try to kill it. Call animal control and let them take care of it. If you don't know it for sure either way, call them for your own safely.

Answer 3

it was probebly a chain kingsnake native to the eastern US very nice snake to keep as a pet lil bit on the nippy side but not venomous at all but have been known to eat rattlers and other venomous species!!! dont hurt it might be a male or female searchin for a mate!!

Answer 4

I can think of 4 snakes immediately that would fit your description.

The California King snake:

http://www.vmsherp.com/images/Past/CalBandBB.jpg

VENOMOUS below.

Banded Krait:

http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~sbhatnag/Nature/warunachal/Images/Snakes/rma_kraitBanded1.jpg

Many Banded Krait:

http://www.birdingintaiwan.com/Many-bandedKrait,TaiwanNov03_small.JPG

Sea Krait:

http://www.divegallery.com/sea_krait1.jpg

Answer 5

sounds like a california king snake

Answer 6

It sounds like a kingsnake

Answer 7

i think ya can rule out sea snakes lol

was prob a cali king, harmless snake

did it look like this thats a cali king
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b353/parker1167/My%20Snakes/000_0499.jpg

Answer 8

There are other king snake species:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_snake

Answer 9

i would say the california king