Help identify a snake in chicago?

Question

My brother found a snake we dont know what it is and were certin its not a garter snake heres the description

brownish snake with black spots

Vibrates tail to make sound not a rattler

Make a striking pose

bigger than garter snake

Answer 1

It may be a gopher snake.  They can have black spots.  They do shake their tail to warm to stay away from them and they usually do it in tall grass so that it sounds like a rattle.

Answer 2

I thought of a bull snake too: http://images.google.com/images?q=bull%2...

But without a picture, it's really tough to tell.  

Answer 3

Bull snake (thank you for the 10 points)

Answer 4

Sounds like something along the lines of a black snake or rat snake. They will rattle their tail tip in leaves, dirt, etc., hoping to make you think they are poisonous so you will leave them alone.

Answer 5

The first snake that comes to mind is a fox snake, which is a type of rat snake. They, along with many other north American snakes, will shake, or rattle, their tail.

http://www.herpnet.net/Minnesota-Herpeto...

Answer 6

dunno

Answer 7

Sounds like a Bull/Gopher Snake, harmless, but will try to defend themselves:

http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/...