Florida Ringneck Snake

On the morning of July 9, 2019, as I happened to glance out my kitchen window, I saw it. "Hmmm," I wondered "could that be a juvenile black rat snake?" I couldn't tell from the distance so I came outside with my camera. I tip-toed to the snake at the side of my driveway and it quickly recognized my presence and started to scoot.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

I've previously seen a Juvenile Black Racer Snake on that same driveway, but this one looked a bit different. I was thinking it was a juvenile snake that I hadn't seen before.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

I had noticed that it seemed to have a light necklace-like band or ring around its neck. After trying to approach the snake a few times, it started to behave most curiously.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

The snake began to crinkle-up with little waves throughout its body. And, then I noticed how the tail was curled up as in a corkscrew or trying to look like a rattle of the rattlesnake. I could then tell that it had an underbelly that was red-orange.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

I left the snake at the edge of my driveway near the street, hoping it wouldn't take flight across the street and get run-over by a golf cart or car.

Coming inside, I Googled "black snake Florida" and glanced over the search images. I immediately spotted a similar snake with a red-orange belly. Ah! Florida Ring-Necked Snake, according to the University of Florida reference. There was or is no doubt in my mind that this is my snake!

I learned that this snake is generally six to seven inches to a max of ten inches. I didn't measure the snake per se, but can easily say it was definitely ten inches if not a little more. I'm not sure what it had been eating, but it has a diet of "earthworms, slugs, insects, tadpoles, small frogs, salamanders, small lizards, small snakes." I can say pretty much all that is in my front yard garden and yard with the exception of salamanders ... not sure I've seen any of those here in Leesburg, Florida!!

PREVIOUS SIGHTING

I didn't remember right off that I had previously seen a Florida Ringneck Snake here in Leesburg, Florida. Going back through my snake photos, I came upon this one and now knew it was a ringneck snake. It was back on October 16, 2018. I also saw this one on my driveway. Looking at the ring on this previous snake, it appears to be a different one.

Florida Ringneck Snake in Leesburg, Florida

"Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring-necked snake or ringneck snake, is a harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and southeastern Canada." --Ring-necked snake Wikipedia reference.

The Florida Ringneck Snake is a secretive snake known for its nocturnal behavior. It was later in the morning that this snake appeared on the side of my driveway. Since we had some very strong downpours, it probably came up for air. This snake is slightly venomous with rear-facing fangs. I could see the feisty posture of the snake as I approached it.

Southern Black Racer Snake

How do you tell the difference between a Black Rat Snake and a Southern Black Racer Snake? I've previously written about Black Rat Snakes and Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snakes. Now I am not so sure whether that previously stated Black Rat Snake was REALLY a Southern Black Racer Snake!!

Southern Black Racer Snake March 17, 2018

Saturday afternoon of St. Patrick's Day 2018, I had brought my large black rectangular planting container to the front garden. I was preparing to plant Chianti Hybrid Sunflower seeds. I left the container and came inside the house. It was as I stepped back outside that I saw the tail end of a black snake.

Southern Black Racer Snake March 17, 2018

This Southern Black Racer Snake looked a bit dirty on its body like it was rolling around in a dirt pile or climbed out of the ground. It was seeking refuge behind my coiled up black garden hose. I watched it as it coiled up out of view behind the hose. Chatting with the snake, it lifted its head to take a look at me.

Southern Black Racer Snake Head March 17, 2018

Take a closer look at the photo of that snake above. It had been chilling for maybe 20 minutes in the hose. I had been talking with a neighbor who stopped in front of my house. Looking to my left, I saw the Southern Black Racer Snake had lifted its head and was watching and listening to me. Pretty cute. Looking to the lower left, you can see a bit of the snake's coiled body that looks like a piece of garden hose!

Southern Black Racer Snake Head March 17, 2018

In this last photo, the curious snake has turned its head a bit and you can see its eye and lighter color under its mouth. It probably was another ten minutes later that I was standing in my side yard talking with the older couple next door that this snake decided to slip away. I'm not sure which way it went, but am guessing it might have slid through the opening in the stone under the side of the house.

Living in Jacksonville and now Leesburg, Florida, I have seen more snakes than I ever saw in my life!! Want to see other Florida snakes I've observed?

Check out my blog post on the Florida Scarlet Snake. In that post, I share photos of the Florida Scarlet Snake along with an adult Black Racer Snake, Common Garter Snake, and Water Moccasin Snake. Check out my other blog post on the Red Rat Snake for photographs of a really colorful snake.

In my blog post on the Black Rat Snake, I share multiple photos of several sightings of larger black snakes that I thought were Black Rat Snakes. Now, I am not 100% certain those are necessarily Black Rat Snakes, but maybe a Southern Black Racer Snake? The black snake I observed going through the back of my yard was quite large; easily 5 ft. or more in length!

Writing about the Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake, that is such a pretty little snake with its reddish brown blotches and blue-gray body. The juvenile I observed coming up my driveway had a really feisty personality.

Beware of snakes on the internet known as the content scrapers!!

Black Rat Snake

A Black Rat Snake might make a good pet. It was early afternoon of May 3, 2016, as I was doing some painting and edging at the back of my house. I was wearing a pair of Crocs Primas with socks, so the top of my foot was not covered with a shoe. That was when I felt something on the top side of my right foot. I looked down at my foot to see a BLACK SNAKE resting there.

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

At first, I thought I had backed into a ladder and was careful so I didn't trip and fall. When I realized it was a snake, seemingly curled up and comfortable on my foot, I pulled my foot backwards and stepped away. It seemed to happen so fast, when my brain kicked in, and I loudly exclaimed, "what are you doing?"

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

The Black Rat Snake slowly moved away and then came up along side of the A/C unit and stopped. It was taking a look at me and probably wondering. I think I over-reacted and asked it again, "what are you doing?" I had never had an interaction with such a snake and maybe should have realized it wasn't posing me a threat, but was probably just curious.

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

When I first moved in, a neighbor was quick to tell me, "you have a black racer snake." As this was the first time I was seeing a black snake, I assumed it must be the black racer of which she spoke. However, doing a little research online, and noting the snake's mannerisms, I think this was a Black Rat Snake and not a racer.

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

I saw the Black Rat Snake a couple of more times after that first meeting. It seemed to hang out along side the A/C unit. One of the Comcast technicians told me that he too had a rat snake that liked to lie in his A/C unit pan where it was cool and wet.

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

On May 26th, I observed the snake coming through my back yard near the shed. Then, again, nearly two months later, on July 26th, I observed the snake slither across the street and disappear into the neighbor's yard.

I don't recall seeing the Black Rat Snake since then ... and noting that I now have moles tunneling around my yard. I rather wish that snake would come back! It supposedly is a timid snake that tends to avoid confrontation.

A couple of days ago, I did see a Juvenile Southern Black Racer coming up my driveway. So, maybe this adult snake will soon return. I'll let you know if/when I see it!

You know, I've surely seen my share of snakes in Florida. Check out my blog post in the Florida Scarlet Snake. In that post, I share photos of the Florida Scarlet Snake along with an adult Black Racer Snake, Common Garter Snake, and Water Moccasin Snake. Check out my other blog post on the Red Rat Snake for photographs of a really colorful snake. Oh, that Red Rat Snake was a lot less friendly than this Black Rat Snake!!

UPDATE! October 20, 2017, I happened to be looking out my back window one morning and saw something that caught my eye. It actually looked like a black stick standing up in the grass. I watched it and then saw it move. Ah, my black rat snake. Only thing? It sure was a lot bigger than my black rat snake of about a year and a half ago.

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

Take a look at the size of the body of this black rat snake. It is definitely a lot bigger than the previous snake. Could it be the same snake?

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

The head of this black rat snake is definitely a lot larger than the previous snake! I don't know that I have a family of black rat snakes under my house, but it is possible!

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

As I watched this snake move through the grass, I couldn't help but "marvel" at the length of it. I was wondering if maybe there was another snake moving along with it. The body just went on and on.

Black Rat Snake - Leesburg, Florida

Researching black rat snakes, I read that they are considered medium-sized snakes. They can reach a length of 70 inches. I'd say this snake was very close to that length, easily being over 5 ft. long and probably closer to 6 ft.

Thinking back to this last sighting, that morning and the previous morning, I had been spraying a bleach cleaner around the stone at the A/C unit at the back of the house. I also had sprayed some distilled vinegar on some cat urine near my shed in the carport. I'm guessing that the smell of these cleaners possibly got the snake moving to another house.

It was a few months back, when I was walking around the back of the house, to the right of the A/C unit, that I smelled the most rancid, putrid smell. I thought something had died right there under the house. Thinking back to that smell, I really think it was the black rat snake emitting the odor as a defense against some perceived predator. I'm not sure whether that defensive gesture would come from another snake of the same species entering this snake's domain. Quite possibly!! So, that could mean two larger black rat snakes slithering around my lot. Watch where YOU step!!

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake

The Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake looks nothing like the adult Black Racer! Perhaps that is to give this snake a better chance to survive in that it resembles other more threatening snakes. It was early in the afternoon on a September Saturday when I noticed a smallish snake scurrying up my driveway. I couldn't tell from my kitchen window what type of snake, so I grabbed my camera and headed outside to get a closer look.

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake - Leesburg, Florida

Before I lived in Leesburg, I had lived in Jacksonville for well over twenty years. During those two decades, I had the opportunity to observe quite a few black racer snakes in my yard. For the most part, they weren't solitary, but were usually seen racing or scooting through my yard. Not this little guy!

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake - Leesburg, Florida

I had never seen a Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake before so it never occurred to me that this was a young black racer snake. Comparing the snake to the color of the driveway, it seemed to have a bluish-gray color offsetting the reddish-brown blotches. It was probably between 14 and 16 inches in length. Newborn black racers are about 9 inches in length.

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake - Leesburg, Florida

This juvenile snake was extremely feisty. As it moved up the driveway, it had its tongue out and head up. It was raising its head, assuming a strike pose and did strike out at me a few times. I fully expected the snake to keep on scurrying and head away from me. But, it didn't.

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake - Leesburg, Florida

After a few photos, the snake had scurried into my front yard garden and was resting near the trellis of my Confederate Star Jasmine. I snapped a couple more photos and then left the snake. Coming inside, I was curious to try and identify this snake. Not that long ago, I had observed a Water Moccasin in the grass across the street from my home. Judging from the "combative" feisty behavior of this little snake, I was thinking not a friendly snake I'd want to bite me.

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake - Leesburg, Florida

Doing a lot of Google searches for speckled, mottled gray-blue and reddish-brown snakes, I found this little snake did resemble, a bit, a Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake or a Prairie Kingsnake. I did research a variety of Garter Snakes, but didn't think that was the right snake. It was challenging trying to identify this snake because I wasn't sure how to describe its markings.

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake Dead February 22, 2018

I was having my A/C maintenance performed on February 22, 2018. When the fellow finished up using his hose, I found this Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake dead in the grass. It had a small cut on its lower body. Such a shame!

The first website that I found which helped me to identify this juvenile snake was Snake Removal Trap which has a photo gallery of Florida snakes. On that page, there is also a closeup photo of a Juvenile Corn Snake which is similar to the Juvenile Black Racer Snake with it blotchy reddish-brown markings.

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake Dead February 22, 2018

The second website that confirmed the identify of this juvenile snake was Cambridge in Colour which has a couple of excellent closeup photos on their forum. That's when I was pretty sure I had the right snake as it looked like mine!

I was looking now for a Florida website to see more photos and information on this snake. I came upon UF's Florida Museum page on the Coluber constrictor priapus where it clearly states, "Juvenile southern black racers are blotched." Well, now we know.

A really excellent photo of the Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake was found on the South Carolina Public Radio website by Kevin Enge of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake Skin January 30, 2018

Working in my front yard garden on January 30, 2018, I noticed a strip of shed snake skin under my Firecracker plant. I am quite sure it was from a Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake and it is a good probability it was the same one found dead a few weeks later!

Researching this snake further, I learned this snake is not recommended as a pet because of its nervous disposition. It will readily bite to defend itself -- yes, I definitely got that part of its makeup! About four in ten of the juveniles will survive ... so that may explain why this snake starts off with the interesting markings ... to enhance its chance at survival.

If this snake was hungry, it came to the right yard! My front yard garden is occupied by a plethora of brown anole lizards and some skinks. I've seen snails, frogs and toads and beetles. As I work a lot out in my garden(s), I will be curious to see if this little fellow hangs around!

Want to see other Florida snakes I've observed? Check out my blog post in the Florida Scarlet Snake. In that post, I share photos of the Florida Scarlet Snake along with an adult Black Racer Snake, Common Garter Snake, and Water Moccasin Snake. Check out my other blog post on the Red Rat Snake for photographs of a really colorful snake.

Snakes on the internet? Yes, there are snakes to be found on the internet, but a bit different from the Juvenile Souther Black Racer Snake. The snakes of which I speak are the content scrapers who steal other people's copyrighted images and written content. Not only are they snakes about stealing people's original work, but they use their brand names to steal the traffic. DO NOT BE FOOLED! Be very careful if you decide to click through to that OTHER website that might have stolen my copyrighted image!

UPDATE: We have had a heat advisory for the past several days here in Leesburg, Florida. It is the afternoon of July 4, 2023 and pretty steamy for anybody who has been out at festivals for the Fourth of July! It was after 4pm when I stepped into the carport to gauge the heat and if I can sit out and have some green tea and not be overcome from the heat. That was when I glanced down at the concrete and saw this Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake limp and not moving. I picked it up by its tail and noticed it had probably been brought in by a community cat and left for me to find. I decided to take a few photos and post them here. I especially wanted a particular reader to notice the whitish underbelly of the juvenile snake.

I flipped the juvenile snake over to show its top side and pretty gray and reddish markings.

As I was looking at the head of the juvenile snake, I was amazed at the patterns on its head. Take a closer look at the next image ... what do you see?

RIP little Juvenile Southern Black Racer Snake. 

Red Rat Snake in Jacksonville Florida

Last night, June 17th, at approximately 8:18pm, I saw this red rat snake slithering through my grass in my front yard. It was serendipitous that I happened to glance out my front kitchen window and see something colorful in the bright green grass.

Red Rat Snake Slithering in Grass in Jacksonville Florida
Photo Taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady, June 17, 2014, 8:18pm

At first, when I saw the bright reddish color of that snake, I thought it might be a Scarlet Kingsnake as I had seen a Florida Scarlet Snake in my side yard a few months earlier. I thought, this guy is surely the DADDY as he's pretty big - I'd say definitely more than 36 inches and quite possibly approaching 48 inches in length easily!

Red Rat Snake Slithering in Grass in Jacksonville Florida
Photo Taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady, June 17, 2014, 8:18pm

I didn't know what kind of snake this was when I first saw it, so I was keeping my distance. "Could it be a coral snake?" was something that ran through my mind. As it approached the Drake Elm in my front yard, I came inside for a stick like object.

Red Rat Snake Coiled Up in Jacksonville Florida
Photo Taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady, June 17, 2014, 8:19pm

See this picture of the snake rather coiled up? Look to the left and you can see its glaring eyes! I had a long deck brush and gently stuck the brush towards the snake to see if I could perhaps pick it up and move it. Holy Smokes, but that was quite the moment. The snake took a strike at the brush! I took the brush away and tried one more time. Same thing. It was quite the strike. I was wondering, is this a venomous snake perhaps? And, where the heck did it come from as my yard surrounding my house is immaculate and cleared of any hiding places. He must have slithered into my yard from one of the neighbors' yards!

Red Rat Snake Climbing a Drake Elm Tree in Jacksonville Florida
Photo Taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady, June 17, 2014, 8:20pm

After the red rat snake had taken a couple strikes at my deck brush, I left it alone and wondered where would it go? All around the base of the Drake Elm tree are brick stones. The snake was checking out the various stones for a crevice to crawl into. Within a few moments, the snake was up over the stones and heading for the tree.

Red Rat Snake Climbing a Drake Elm Tree in Jacksonville Florida
Photo Taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady, June 17, 2014, 8:20pm

Googling "red rat snake" you can find some interesting information. For example, the reference page from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says this is the best climbing snake in Florida! You can see the snake climbing my Drake Elm! Soon the snake disappeared up the tree and I came inside to Google a red snake in Florida to see what kind of snake this guy is.

Yep, almost immediately, I hit upon red rat snake or corn snake. I couldn't understand the "corn" reference and thought I'd have to research that more. I was really interested in what this snake eats.

Another excellent online reference is from the FLMNH. It identifies this as the Eastern Corn Snake. This species breeds from April to June and will lay from 3 to 40 eggs during the summer. The newborns will then hatch from July to September. This snake can actually live up to 22 years in captivity! Could this be a neighbor's pet? Maybe.

Checking the Wikipedia reference on the corn snake - "Pantherophis guttatus is a North American species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction." Oh my, constriction! I was thinking it probably strikes at the prey first and then squeezes the life out of it.

As I saw the snake disappear up my tree, he was surely searching for unguarded birds eggs! His diet also includes small rodents and lizards. I've had a mole in my yard which I would LOVE that snake to take out. I've also got plenty of the brown anole lizards and hope the snake doesn't eat too many of those guys.

Interested in owning one of these snakes? You'll want to secure yourself a copy of Corn and Red Rat Snakes (Guide to Owning A Corn Snake). I'm going to be on the lookout for this guy and see where he is coming from!

PS Do you know I have seen a LOT of snakes on the internet ... they are the Content Scrapers! Perhaps you have seen them too??