So...what kind of snake is this?

Question

Hi there. First of all, I live in Florida. I found a snake (I think it's a juvenile) that is a dark grayish color with "splotches" of black down it's back that turn into a solid dark blackish color on it's tail. It has white on it's under the head and although it does not have a rattle (and didn't lose a rattle either; the tail tapers off) it shakes it's tail at me when I upset it by moving the bucket or coming too close. I am thoroughly confused by this. Thanks for reading all of this if you did.

Answer 1

Don't worry about the tail that much. All snakes do that when they are agitated. I know, I own over 30 snakes.

Answer 2

most wild snakes do not do well in captivity so i would let it alone

Answer 3

It sounds very much like a juvenile coachwhip or black racer. They are both very common in Florida. The juveniles match this description and later lose their pattern. Them, like many North American snakes, will shake their tail just like a rattlesnake.

http://www.snakesandfrogs.com/scra/snake...

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/her...

Answer 4

Its a black mamba.  Very deadly.  Careful.

Answer 5

Does it look like one of these snakes. It could be one of those non venomous mimic ones.

http://www.timberrattlesnake.net/

Answer 6

It sounds like it could be some type of rat snake, which is non-venomous.  Many non-venomous snakes mimic the behavior of rattlers by shaking their tail.  It's a defense mechanism that's intended to scare away predators.

Answer 7

its a snake