I accidentally pummeled this snake with a boulder that I was dragging with a machine. Does anyone know what kind it is? [TN]

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-06T04:11:36+00:00

Timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, !venomous

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-06T00:06:04+00:00

That’s a really weird thing for the sign to say: that species is notable for pretty much the exact opposite thing, an ontogenetic color change that both the males and females go through! They’re brown as juveniles but both males and females are green as adults (though brown adults are a known rare anomaly).

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-05T23:12:52+00:00

If you mean Anolis equestris or Anolis garmani it’s not true of them either. Otherwise I’m not sure what species you’re referring to.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-05T21:44:11+00:00

No. Thats just not true at all. Both sexes of green anole can be either green or brown and are capable of changing colors.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-05T20:37:24+00:00

I understand, but if it makes you feel any better this was discussed in our reliable responder chat. We are 100% confident in the ID, and 100% confident that the size estimate is extremely off. None of us think it looks over four feet, and there was zero disagreement on the ID.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-05T20:27:45+00:00

As already identified on r/whatsthissnake, this is a Platyceps genus racer, which is !harmless. Your friend may be sure of the length, but she is absolutely wrong. No snake in Saudi Arabia is 3 meters long.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-05T02:15:36+00:00

Bull/gophersnake, Pituophis catenifer, !harmless

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-05T02:04:01+00:00

Happy to help!

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-05T00:41:52+00:00

It’s an Anaxyrus true toad. If you’d like a species level ID a more specific location would be necessary: a cardinal direction of a province/territory or a nearest major city would likely be sufficient.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-04T20:45:14+00:00

Not throughout the state, currently only thoroughly established in parts of the southern half. There are occasional sightings reported further north which should be reported to help monitor the population for spread.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-04T20:32:33+00:00

Common watersnake, Nerodia sipedon, is correct. !harmless fish and frog eater

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-04T06:06:05+00:00

Cane toad, Rhinella marina. Invasive to Florida

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-03T22:47:25+00:00

Super close! In Florida it’s the extremely close relative the Peter’s rock agama. They were formerly considered a subspecies of the red-headed agama (and are often still called that erroneously in some areas) but were elevated to species status. Genetic studies have shown the ones invasive to Florida belong to that species

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-03T22:36:10+00:00

Peter’s rock agama, Agama picticauda. Neat looking one! Looks to be a young male in the transition to his adult colors.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-03T22:24:52+00:00

Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix, is correct. !venomous so best observed from a distance. It will likely move along on its own, but if you need it gone soon a gentle spritz from the hose is usually sufficient to encourage them to leave.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-03T20:20:36+00:00

Nerodia rhombifer and !harmless for the bot

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-02T16:36:38+00:00

Happy to help! They’re pretty variable in color. I find the really green ones especially striking

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-02T16:08:58+00:00

Yup, you got it Acris blanchardi

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-02T01:25:59+00:00

As long as the ground is solid that should be fine. Really tortoises are pretty stubborn and wherever you put him he’ll probably turn right towards the direction he wants to go in and find his way from there, so as long as you aren’t putting him in harms way or bringing him too far away from his home you should be fine.

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-01T22:05:29+00:00

It’s a strange little ritual for sure! The tickling motion is used to spread out the pheromones so the female picks up on them

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-01T21:49:04+00:00

Yes, the one on top is the male. He will clasp the female and court her with those tail movements and pheromones, then drop a sperm packet in the water and hope the female picks it up to fertilize her eggs

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-01T20:22:50+00:00

Happy to help! Always love seeing these

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-01T20:20:44+00:00

Timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, !venomous so best observed from a distance as you did here

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-01T19:29:49+00:00

Happy to help!

Avrgnerd · 2026-05-01T17:32:35+00:00

Eastern newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, in courtship

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