Great! Thanks! Appears to be it Farfugium... (Googled & saw photos). I think it's interesting that it was planted among very low water needs/cactus & succulents. Details for growing say "keep soil moist at all times, don't let it dry out". Not the best plant companions, I wouldn't think...???

Marcia, Please help me find out what kind of snake I came across today. While I was at the local dog park (near Orlando) I came across a yellow with black stripes snake. It looked to be between 3.5-4 feet long and did not appear at first glance (that was all I gave it out of fear) to be shiny. I was about 3 feet from it and didn't know it until my dog almost stepped on it. She obviously didn't see it either. The snake seemed a pit peeved about the whole thing but it decided not to attack and to slowly slither towards ME to get away from my dog. Needless to say, I took off in a different direction real quick and hollered for my dog to follow. I am not like you or others on this site. I am not a fan of snakes and am extremely afraid of them. Although, I don't mind the black racers that seem to have taken up permanent residence in MY back yard and they love to procreate often (or so it seems). I have seen a lot less field rats since the racers moved in and that makes me very happy. Anyway, can you help me figure out what this snake was? I have spent hours and hours online tonight trying to find it and just can't seem to find anything that looks like it. I am guessing that it is not dangerous to me or my dogs??? I am scared to take my dogs back through those woods that they so dearly love. As soon as I told them, "No more woods until the snakes are gone again," they "told" me to find it if it was dangerous or not and if it isn't that they want to go back again. So that is mostly why I am asking you for your help. We all love the walks but I am afraid of the snakes. Please help me feel safer about going back. Thanks in advance for your help.

But not in a good way because I Am too often guilty of quick glance impulse Opinions.There was the eye and black bars below it,round pupil (Colubrids), Taupe color top of head,narrow neck...but mostly the expression in the Snake's eye.Thinks its hidden.Clever little scamps.They are all over the Place in my yard hunting frogs.Also ever since I turned my gunite swimming Pool into a Dragonfly habitat I have had Cricket frogs so now I see Ringneck Snakes,usually very early in the morning.Yesterday When I was out walking Toward the Cypress swamp I saw Fine young Southern copperhead.I think Ours can't be matched for color.

Definitely not a pygmy rattlesnake. What you have there is a black ratsnake (Pantherophis [Elaphe] obsoleta). That is a hatchling or juvenile (as evidenced by its vivid pattern). They're harmless animals and actually good to have around as they eat a number of rodent species...granted they also are quite fond of birds. The way you described as finding is also very typical of the species, as black rats are highly arboreal. ~Mike