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Sssssnake
updated: Dec 11, 2012, 3:37 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

My beagle (Lucy) got me out of my home office and took me outside to show me what she found on our deck. Anybody know what kind of a snake this is?

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 352945	2012-12-11 03:40 PM
Wow, what a pretty looking snake! I have no idea what it is but it looks like it might have recently eaten something...?
COMMENT 352946P	2012-12-11 03:40 PM
Ringneck snake! Harmless.
COMMENT 352947	2012-12-11 03:40 PM
Ring-necked snake
COMMENT 352949P	2012-12-11 03:42 PM
Cool! You are so lucky. Kind of an odd time of year for it to be out. Google is amazing. You put in gray snake with orange neck band, and you get Diadophis punctatus, or...ringneck snake. And 1.700,000 additional results.
COMMENT 352951	2012-12-11 03:47 PM
Coral belly ring neck snake. Mildly venomous (not to humans)
COMMENT 352955P	2012-12-11 03:50 PM
PLEASE let it toddle, I mean wriggle, off by itself! Thanks for the pics, it is beautiful! An uneducated Googling provided this, from Wikipedia: "Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ringneck snake or ring-necked snake, is a species of colubrid snake. It is found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and south eastern Canada. Ring-necked snakes are secretive, nocturnal snakes that are rarely seen during the day time. They are slightly venomous but their non-aggressive nature and small rear-facing fangs pose little threat to humans who wish to handle them. They are best known for their unique defense posture of curling up their tails exposing their bright red-orange posterior, ventral surface when threatened." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diadophis_punctatus For photos, Google Image "Diadophis punctatus"
COMMENT 352956P	2012-12-11 03:51 PM
I sure didn't google fast enough. So much for looking up pics too. LOL
COMMENT 352958P	2012-12-11 03:55 PM
wow, if anyone has any interest, google the photos, as they are amazing!
COMMENT 352969	2012-12-11 04:06 PM
Looks dead.
COMMENT 353018P	2012-12-11 05:43 PM
969 - that's because it is.
COMMENT 353049	2012-12-11 07:13 PM
Tell us , did it slither away? I hope your dog or your did not kill it! Thanks for sharing!
COMMENT 353100P	2012-12-11 09:14 PM
That was my first thought: Poster was too timid to say "My dog killed this." Please, please tell us it wasn't killed by you or your Beagle.
COMMENT 353135	2012-12-12 06:34 AM
If it was a rattler would we be having this discussion? No, the dog would be belly up on the deck but we wouldn't want a photo of that now would we? There are outfits that train your dog to be snake averse.
COMMENT 353164	2012-12-12 08:04 AM
Just saw one of these being pestered by some jays near the Tunnel trail head Sunday afternoon. First time for me seeing one.
COMMENT 353167	2012-12-12 08:34 AM
These little guys are such a treat to see, I got to see one out in daylight near redrock a few years ago and had to look it up. Only time they come out in daylight is during breeding season. They are harmless and rare, and beautiful.
SEEDLADY	2012-12-12 09:05 AM
My elementary schoolmate Sebastian Galata used to have one as a kid--took it to school and kept it for a day in his old style lidded desk. We played with it (just handled it gently or put it inside our shirts) during recess in 5th grade. He managed to keep it hidden from the teacher all day. It was a youngster--about 12" long, very thin. Subby grew up to become a locally renowned (Palo Alto) master cabinet maker--he got his start in woodworking by making cages for his reptiles as a kid.
BELATRIX	2012-12-12 09:57 AM
I hate snakes but that one's a beauty. Great colors.
COMMENT 353239	2012-12-12 10:20 AM
100P: Agreed, that's what I thought as well. I'm hoping this beautiful little guy was just hanging out (although I'd venture to guess if he was ok, he'd be showing his belly). I googled the images, and was glad I did. These guys are TINY and gorgeous.

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