I'm not sure if this is where I can post a related question... I live in SW Missouri and was hoeing some weeds beside my house and accidentally chopped a small snake in two. I've identified it as a Midland Brown Snake. I noticed the mortally injured snake, though only 7 or 8 inches long, had babies wriggling out of its belly. So I pulled all of them out and carefully placed them into a jar. There are about a dozen that are still alive. I've had them about 3 hours now. Any suggestions on what to feed them? They're about the size of a toothpick and I can't imagine they could feed themselves on their own. I'm wondering if earthworms cut into tiny pieces would work for them...

Well, now you all have me completely confused but yet totally facinated about snakes. I have read all 22 pages of postings on this forum and it seems that Rat Snakes are by far the most common backyard snakes (and maybe garter snakes which I was already familiar with). So how do you tell the difference between a Black Rat and a Gray Rat and why do you think this is a Black Rat and not an Intergrade Black/Gray. I also saw another snake the other day, about 4 feet long and just solid black, so I am assuming Black Rat Snake (no camera handy). So, although I'm interested in learning more, I don't think I am ready to try to catch one. I know that they have their proper place in our eco-system and I am happy to leave them be outside as long as they aren't dangerous to me or my little dog (my fish and frogs in my fishpond, however, may not be as lucky?) This looks like a very interesting hobby. We also had a snake a couple of years ago that everytime we saw him he would dive into the fishpond. I haven't seen him lately. So, if I see a snake in the yard, like the Rat Snake, is it more likely he lives here or more likely he's just passing through?

Probably an Eastern Garter Snake ... their color varies wildly, but the black head and stripes along the body with sort of "checkerboard" patterns between the stripes is one variant. They are not venomous, but they will bite and also release a VERY SMELLY fluid if you handle them. http://www.paherps.com/herps/snakes/garter_snake/

I just wrote out a big long answer discussing things like Racers, Watersnakes and Black Rats discussing the pros and cons of each......and then it occurred to me what it actually is! This is a melanistic (black) Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis). The melanistic (black or black-backed) morph is common in some areas in the north of the species range.