identifying a baby snake

Posted by Kim Ballew on August 16, 2006

Q: I live in GA and found a baby snake on my patio this morning. It is a baby snake with a black head and a brown body. It looks like it has a very small golden color on its neck. It is no more than 4 inches long. We have seen copperheads in the neighborhood in the past and I just want to know if this is poisonous. I do not mind snakes but I have children playing in the yard and know if you have a baby snake you will also have a mother snake and more babies. I can not tell if it has any other markings because it is so small.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Georgia

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: It looks like a Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) to me. These are beautiful little snakes that don't get much larger than 8-10" and are totally harmless.

Solon Morse ( August 17, 2006)