[mike28]

Hi all I am new to Florida live in Brandon central Florida I came across a black snake in my backyard today I am not afraid but I have kids and I am concerned I have read a lot of post on Florida snakes there are plenty but yet I wanted to know if anybody in here has experience this kind of snake it was black and about 36 inches long maybe someone knows the name if it thank you.

[firemed]

Originally Posted by mike28

Hi all I am new to Florida live in Brandon central Florida I came across a black snake in my backyard today I am not afraid but I have kids and I am concerned I have read a lot of post on Florida snakes there are plenty but yet I wanted to know if anybody in here has experience this kind of snake it was black and about 36 inches long maybe someone knows the name if it thank you.

Black racer snakes are thin and very fast. They are good to have around and won't hurt you. But keep in mind if it is over 1' wide and slow don't go near it ! The Cottonmouth, or Water Moccasin, is much thicker than the Black Racer. It's also much slower, and has a large head. The Black Racer is usually 3' or 4' long, a little under 1" in diameter, and it has a light gray, almost white, belly. Most of all, it's fast!
Racers are all over Florida.

[riveree]

..........and they're delicious, just ask my dog !

We have lots of black racers in the yard, and I'd be happy to just leave them there, but unfortunately, one of my dogs has other plans for them.

I have yet to see a Cottonmouth, and hope I never do. They are pit vipers and they are aggressive - they will come after you.

Take a trip to your local zoo, they should have a snake exhibit and you can take a look up close.

[Donna-50]

I have a black racer that has lived in my yard somewhere for the last 4 or 5 years. I don't like snakes but I have heard they will keep poisionist snakes from coming. They have a few pigmy rattlers around here so I let the racer stay.

[cmsvmom]

The larger black snakes are the indigo. They are harmless, eat rodents, and are very beautiful. Hold them up to the light, and you will see the rainbow effect which is described in the raven trickster tales.

[DanBev]

Originally Posted by firemed

Black racer snakes are thin and very fast. They are good to have around and won't hurt you. But keep in mind if it is over 1' wide and slow don't go near it ! The Cottonmouth, or Water Moccasin, is much thicker than the Black Racer. It's also much slower, and has a large head. The Black Racer is usually 3' or 4' long, a little under 1" in diameter, and it has a light gray, almost white, belly. Most of all, it's fast!
Racers are all over Florida.

I have another racer ,my wife,twice as fast in opposite direction!!!!

[firemed]

Originally Posted by DanBev

I have another racer ,my wife,twice as fast in opposite direction!!!!

Thats funny !

[sunrico90]

Info on black racer: List of Florida Snakes (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/fl-snakeslist.htm - broken link)
Wildlife Viewing - Species Spotlight - Florida's Nonvenomous Snakes

[firemed]

Originally Posted by cmsvmom

The larger black snakes are the indigo. They are harmless, eat rodents, and are very beautiful. Hold them up to the light, and you will see the rainbow effect which is described in the raven trickster tales.

Indigo snakes are big about 6'. We have them also.

[SouthFloridaNative]

I think there are only a few poisonous snakes in Florida: Rattlesnakes, Water Moccasins (cottonmouths), and Coral Snakes. The poisonous ones can be distinguished from the others (good snakes) by thier viper face. The others don't have a viper face. The rattlesnakes and water moccasins I've seen have fat bodies and fat heads. Coral snakes are often confused with King snakes and so there is a rhyme to help distinguish them. But anyway, we like the non-poisonous snakes and I wish more people did know the difference. I've met people that just kill ALL snakes and don't care if they are non-poisonous. I think that's terrible. I am glad the OP asked instead of killing it just b/c it's a snake.