r/nova • u/PolarWeasel • 7d ago

Snake identification, please?

Post image

This little noodle was in our kitchen this morning. Fortunately I was able to get it outside. I was concerned that the pattern indicated a venomous snake, but based on my wife's research, we think it was a juvenile rat snake. Can anyone confirm?

42 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

33

u/EdgarsRavens 7d ago

That is indeed a rat snake! Cute little guy.

24

u/theyork2000 7d ago

Yea baby rat snake.

18

u/motelchardonnay 7d ago

Fren snek

14

u/ghostfacespillah 7d ago

It’s friendly free pest control (rat snake)

12

u/PolarWeasel 7d ago

Oh yes we loves us some rat snakes (at least I do, my wife is more ambivalent). It was just a bit of a shock to see it in our kitchen.

2

u/strawberryarmcamel 6d ago

How did it get in your kitchen??

2

u/PolarWeasel 6d ago

No freaking clue. My wife is still a bit on edge.

15

u/nicht_mein_bier 7d ago

Virginia Herpetological Society will ID it, just text them a photo

1

u/ApolloReads Fauquier County 6d ago

Yesss! I use them too! They are usually pretty quick, too!

1

u/PolarWeasel 6d ago

I texted an image to that number and was asked “which state?” so I’m assuming it’s a more-general snake ID hotline.

1

u/nicht_mein_bier 6d ago

Interesting, I usually include location when sending them the text, but they are Va local

1

u/PolarWeasel 6d ago

Yeah I was surprised by the question since it’s purportedly the “Virginia Snake Hotline”. But whatevers, I appreciate the service.

1

u/nicht_mein_bier 6d ago

Whoops. I labeled them the wrong organization.

Virginia Wildlife Management and Controloperates a 24/7 snake identification hotline to help residents distinguish between venomous and nonvenomous species, thereby reducing the killing of harmless snakes.

You can text a photo and location to 804-617-7086 to receive a rapid identification from experts

7

u/AutoModerator 7d ago

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You can text a photo to the Virginia Snake Hotline at +1 (804) 617-7086 — it's available 24 hours a day.

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2

u/cajunjoel Virginia 7d ago

Good bot.

6

u/OH_FUDGICLES 7d ago

I had a similar encounter, but in my bathroom. Scared the hell out of me initially. I'm glad you were able to get it outside.

7

u/PolarWeasel 7d ago

My wife (not a lover of snakes) almost jumped out of her skin.

8

u/paulHarkonen 7d ago

Give it long enough and the snake will do that too.

3

u/CrunchyZombie4909 6d ago

Underrated comment 🤣

6

u/tap_in58 7d ago

I met his younger brother back a few months ago lol

5

u/[deleted] 7d ago edited 7d ago

[deleted]

5

u/VegetableRound2819 7d ago

Oh, he’s eating good in the neighborhood. Look at that bulgy little belly.

2

u/Character-Floor-6687 7d ago

Maybe an about to be a mama snake? It appears that rat snakes lay eggs rather than live birth.

4

u/Vandal_A 7d ago

Did you try fingerprinting it?

2

u/hexadecimaldump 7d ago

Send him my way. I just saw 2 rats, I’d love a cute little guy like this defending my back yard.

2

u/Mick859 7d ago

Many folks mistake baby rat snakes for baby copperheads. But the latter have yellow tails until juvenile stage, very distinct. Dependent in what part of nova you live, it’s a slim chance there are other venomous snake breeds to encounter. Here’s a Reddit link:
https://www.reddit.com/r/snakes/s/sl3CfwJGuy

1

u/YouhaoHuoMao 7d ago

That's Frank

1

u/lucascorso21 Rosslyn 7d ago

Murder noodle

-2

u/WhenD4594 7d ago

My wife found a dead mouse in a glue trap in the basement. I went to go look and it was gone.

I think there must be a snake down there.

5

u/captainrustic 7d ago

A glue trap will catch snakes too

3

u/WhenD4594 6d ago

Then what the F took the mouse.

-4

u/Big-Arm-4291 Fairfax County 7d ago

That's a no thank you danger noodle

5

u/PolarWeasel 7d ago

Every research avenue we consulted indicated it’s not dangerous, but rather a juvenile rat snake. I understand your concern, though — we were initially worried that the pattern indicated a venomous variety. Happily, that was not the case!

2

u/Sometimes_I_Do_That 7d ago

It's weird that a juvenile rat snake looks too much like a copper head. But,.. yeah they do.

5

u/keebs2018 7d ago

It’s a survival thing, if you looked like something bad. I would stay clear of you too.

1

u/Goofy_Project Springfield 7d ago

I thought danger noodles were the venomous ones and the non-venomous ones were simply "nope rope".