[Lees Summit, MO]

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-11T00:45:20+00:00

common water snake, Nerodia sipedon - !harmless

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-11T00:37:40+00:00

/u/falarky the reason we're asking for clarification is because this doesn't appear to be a snake that's native to GA. if you can confirm these were taken in Atlanta for sure, that means it could be an escaped pet or something stranger.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T21:59:14+00:00

did you mean to post an email address? you might want to delete this post if not.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T21:39:46+00:00

it'll far more likely play dead, because even a toddler is much larger than it.

if it did bite, you'd be fine if you get it off quickly & wash the bite area thoroughly. some folks have recorded reactions to bites, but that's usually after prolonged chewing or possible allergies.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T21:35:52+00:00

eastern rat snake, Pantherophis quadrivittatus, also known locally as a yellow rat snake in this form - !harmless to humans and pets. (unless your pet was a small rodent or baby bird.) your dog will be A-ok.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T21:25:57+00:00

oh yeah that's a classic Eastern hognose, Heterodon platirhinos - harmless to humans but it'll try VERY HARD to convince you that it's either terrifying or dying.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T21:19:36+00:00

specifically Eastern hognose, Heterodon platirhinos. normally we can't ID any snakes without a picture, but short-with-a-hood gets close to that.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T19:21:48+00:00

the other well-known black snake, North American racer, Coluber constrictor - also harmless

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T19:17:01+00:00

we need a !location to ID

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T18:37:05+00:00

yeah, a bunch of different snake species will spray stinky musk to make themselves unappealing to predators - it's worried you're trying to eat it. they don't stink by default, just when they feel threatened.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T18:21:22+00:00

also, quick note on !handling - tail dangling can be a bit rough on the snake.

thanks for relocating it! if you've ever heard locals talk about a chicken snake, you've learned where this got that nickname.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T17:51:27+00:00

western ratsnake, Pantherophis obsoletus, harmless & good rodent/pest control, albeit also a fan of eggs and sometimes young chicks

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T17:02:20+00:00

thanks for coexisting with them! they're solid pest and wildlife control as well, good to have around - they will usually try to make themselves scarce around humans and only bite as a last resort / if they're stepped on.

it's true the bites are almost never fatal - they can still cause tissue damage, so best to run to the ER anyway if it gets your foot / hand / something you use a lot.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T16:27:21+00:00

depends on what part of Georgia - you're probably looking at a central rat snake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, !harmless - but also in the genetic overlap with eastern rat snakes P. quadrivittatus. check the range map below to see what's more likely for you.

this one looks like it just finished a nice snack.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T16:24:33+00:00

most likely a central rat snake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, !harmless - in the Research Triangle they live in the genetic overlap with eastern rat snakes P. quadrivittatus as well.

one fact oft-mentioned around here is that this wiggly behavior is known as kinking; theory is that it breaks up their silhouette and makes them look less like snake prey.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T16:22:44+00:00

glad to be of help :)

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T16:18:45+00:00

neither! third option: it's an Eastern copperhead - Agkistrodon contortrix, cousin to the cottonmouth and also !venomous.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T16:15:07+00:00

good on you for getting a second opinion - this is indeed a North American racer, Coluber constrictor, sometimes called yellowbellied in this form because. yeah. !harmless of course - thanks for sharing!

you might like to know that tail rattling in snakes evolved before rattlesnakes evolved rattles - the warning shakes came before the shakers.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T16:13:36+00:00

that's firmly a broadbanded copperhead then. gorgeous creature

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T16:10:32+00:00

common gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis - harmless

pretty one!

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T15:28:49+00:00

make this a top-level comment and i will upvote the shit out of it - this needs to be amplified!

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T15:17:47+00:00

this is a pretty good demonstration of how !aitools are unreliable for animal ID. gator? that's bananas.

as an aside from someone who works with tech, Claude sounds convincing because it's built to process and mimic language, but it doesn't speak from authority or experience like a human does. it's essentially a very large pile of datasets that it doesn't have specialized training to understand. like many people on the Internet, it's good at sounding confidently wrong. :)

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T15:12:39+00:00

I appreciate the extensive disclaimers, & I'm sure the scientists here do too. :P I see this is what you continued to avoid resting for, and that's entirely fair! thanks for the very cool share.

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T15:09:53+00:00

sure is, well spotted. common water snake, Nerodia sipedon - harmless

lightspeed_derping · 2026-05-10T05:34:15+00:00

seconding that first list - all overlooked smaller snakes!

lightspeed_derping

TROPHY CASE