can somebody identify a snake i caught on my patio.?

Question

Is there any way i can put a picture up? I live in Boca Raton (south Florida) The snake is about 8-9 inches long with what looks like purple diamonds going down its back seperated by white/silver. A couple times when i got close it started to shake its tail. I have a picture if anybody is willing to look at it. Please help me out, my niece and nephew are coming tomorrow and if the snake is dangerous I plan on getting rid of it. Thank you

Answer 1

although it could be a baby rattlesnake. there could be a nest of them under your house or shed anything like that. also if you have mulch around. just watch the kids and the yard it could be the only one there is. oh a baby rattlesnake is more dangerous than the adults. and just because he rattles the tail don't mean nothing my king snake i had would do that it just warning you.

Answer 2

Try looking at the head, if the head is triangular it is poisonous if it is round then leave it alone. I'm also going to say that having a poisonous snake around isn't a bad thing as long as kids know how to identify and stay away from them and there is no long grass or anywhere were you can walk that will cause you to surprise them and get bitten. They normal wont even use there venom when they bite a person because they need it for hunting and it takes a long time for them to make enough venom to kill one prey animal.

Answer 3

Sounds to me like it's a hatchling black racer or perhaps a coachwhip. Nearly all snakes native to Florida will vibrate their tails when threatened, in dry leaf-litter, this sounds similar to a rattlesnake rattling and has the same effect (pine snakes are notorious for doing this, and I've seen people freak out over scared red ratsnakes) But just to show the problems with these descriptions, I describe hatchling black racers as having brick red chevrons on a blueish grey background. Young coachwhips have slightly different coloration, but both of them have HUGE eyes with round pupils.

Try this.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/snakekey.htm

Answer 4

If its tail is shaking I wouldn't mess with it. It sounds like a rattlesnake with the diamond pattern and tail shaking but the purple,white, and silver throw me off. I live in Melbourne, FL and we get baby rattlers in our neighborhood fromtime to time so it could be that. If you could send me the pics I would help you identify it for now I don't recommend messing with it and if it's a venomous snake like a rattlesnake then you need to call your local animal control to come and catch it, it's summer and there are lots of baby rattlers around in FL so if there is one baby there could be a chance there is more too, just keep and eye out for more and leave them alone unless they are a venomous snake then call animal control.

Answer 5

There are many different species of snake from Indonesia the only one i found close to matching your description is either a type of cobra or a krate which are dangerous so i woulden't recommend you go anywhere near it. I would suggest if its near or in your garden get a snake expert to remove it for your safety plus you will get the breed of snake it is.

Answer 6

It sounds like an Eastern DIamond Back Rattle Snake. It is extrememly poisonous. Call animal control and get rid of it.

Answer 7

If you can, email me the picture and I will see if I can help you...

This site may also be able to help you out...
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/snakekey.htm

I hope it's harmless!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 8

E-mail me a clear photo & I'll ID it for you.

Answer 9

It is a rattlesnake!!! Call animal control asap!! And have them look around...there is probably more of them!!

Answer 10

Go to- www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetolgy/fl-guide/fl-snakeslist.htm

You will find it!!!