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Reptiles & Amphibians

What kind of baby snake, about 3' long?

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL

12 years ago

I saw a TINY snake about 3" long the other day while pulling some grass away from the side of the house. At first I thought it was a worm but when I went to grab it and put it in my flower bed, it jumped. I never did get a good look at it, but it was brownish and it seemed like there was some kind of stripe lengthwise on either side. The head was more triangular than oval. I'm in south-central AL, just a few miles N of FL border. Does this description fit any of the poisonous snakes around here? Pretty sure there was no rattle, hoping it was a garter snake but I can only find info about mature snakes, nothing about the size of the babies.

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Comments (6)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
12 years ago
Bad place for a typo, the title of my question. Just to be clear, it was 3 inches, not feet.

Thanks!
lazy_gardens
12 years ago
garter snake?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32533103@N00/491985695/
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
12 years ago
Awwwww that little guy is so cute! He/she's a lot darker than the one I saw, which was more of an earthworm color. It's longer than the one I saw. I don't think the tail tapered so drastically as the one in your picture. Thanks for sharing it, giving a point of reference for discussion.

Here is a link that might be useful: lazygardens' link
sportguy005
12 years ago
Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi maybe? Do a quick search on that and see if it might answer your question.
wayne_mo
12 years ago
Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) or Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) seem like likely possibilities. In any rate its nonvenomous as it matches neither the cottonmouth, copperhead, rattlesnake or coral snake.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, sportsguy and wayne. Looked up some pictures and pretty sure that's what it was. The tiny size fits, too. From what I read, a brown snake is sub-terranean most of the time so that also makes sense that I found it pulling grass away from the wall. Wish I would have had the presence of mind to try to catch it for a better look (not to try to keep.) It was SO CUTE! He/she is welcome to eat as many slugs and bugs as it can find! Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.

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