I found this snake in our garden shed and I don't want to kill it if it's not dangerous. It looks bigger than it is; it's just a baby. Please let me know. I Googled Arkansas snakes and there are hundreds of pictures, but none match this one!
By Linda W. F
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Try your state extension office, you may be able to email the picture to the agricultural agent for identification:
www.uaex.edu/
The banding on that snake is very interesting. I was taught the way to identify a poisonous snake was two-fold: triangular head and colours:
"Red touches yellow- kill the fellow! Red touches black - happy Jack"
Meaning if the red banding bordered yellow banding the snake was poisonous and the advice was to kill him before he bit and killed you.
(Not saying I agree with this, btw, because snakes are beneficial-they eat rodents before the rodents can eat your electrical wiring or other important things; if at all possible it's best to let snakes live since they are helping keep your property pest population down)
If the red banding touched the black banding, Jack (you or whomever was deciding if the snake is dangerous) could be happy and let the snake go on it's way.
But that is one unusual looking and coloured snake! It even looks as though it has a rattle at the end, but it sure doesn't look like any of the rattlers I grew up seeing in the American desert southwest.
I'd check with the agricultural agent to be sure, and to get some good free advice on figuring out what attracted that snake to your property.
Deleted for duplication. Sigh:)
This is a southern banded water snake
(Submitted via email)
It's hard to tell, but it looks poisonous. You should call in a expert. It's not a corn snake, it is a cotton mouth,
hallie
That is a broad banded water snake. Harmless.
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