My father in law sends me the most random and entertaining email forwards. Sometimes they are so entertaining that I have to share them, like this one about This is Why You Don't Kill Black Snakes!
Have you ever heard of a black snake? Otherwise known as a black rat snake or Eastern Indigo Snake, they are a pretty common non venomous snake found in the Southeast that can get pretty dang big.
For those people who are afraid of snakes, I realize that they can be utterly terrifying. However, before you rush off to grab a shovel to bash a black snakes brains in, check this out...
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This is Why You Don't Kill Black Snakes
What is that right in front of the black snake? That is right, it's an Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake. The Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake is an extremely dangerous, venomous snake...
I grew up with parents that were into snakes - our family was members of the Herpetological Society of Florida during my childhood and we ALWAYS had pet snakes. I had pet snakes from the time I was a young child all the way until my 30s.
We had Boa Constrictors, Burmese Pythons, ball pythons, rat snakes - just about anything you can think of, we had it - except for venomous snakes, of course!
An average bite from an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake can deliver 400-450 milligrams of venom, with an estimated human lethal dose of only 100-150 milligrams.
Eastern diamondbacks are found throughout the southeastern United States.
Their range includes eastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, eastern South Carolina, southern North Carolina and all of Florida.
And this right here is This is Why You Don't Kill Black Snakes!
Oh wait, what happened there? Do you happen to see what I see? Yep, this is happening! It's really happening!
The black snake is eating the rattlesnake! It is literally eating that rattlesnake like nobody's business.
I always knew that king snakes ate other snakes - as we had a pair when I was a kid and one day...we no longer had a pair, but had one very, very fat male king snake. He ate his mate.
When my father in law sent this email me to, I was literally in AWE! Of course, I love snakes, period - and while I would kill a rattlesnake in my yard if I ever came across one, that just isn't something that we have to deal with in Miami.
Once upon a time, yes - there were actually rattlesnakes in the woods before Miami became so populated.
But those days are long gone. I have not heard of anyone coming across a Rattlesnake of any kind in Miami in decades.
Black snake FTW!!
I am a little surprised the person taking this photo didn't run over and chop off the rattle, to be honest. That would have been my first instinct.
Either way, this black snake is totally #winning
So in a Nutshell, This is Why You Don't Kill Black Snakes - They EAT dangerous snakes!
Eastern rat snakes, formerly known as black rat snakes, are large non-venomous snakes between 3.5 and 7 feet (one and two meters) long. They have shiny black scales on their back and a light colored belly, and their throat and chin are white.
The head of an eastern rat snake is wider than the neck and the rest of the body.
BUT I think that this is actually an Eastern Indigo Snake!
What is an Eastern Indigo Snake?
An Indigo Snake is non-venomous, and, at least as far as its diet goes, it is fond of its fellow snakes, particularly the dangerous venomous kind of other snake.
Eastern Indigo Snake
The eastern indigo snake is an icon of the southern longleaf pine forest and is the longest native snake on the continent. A non-venomous apex predator, it preys upon many species of animals including some venomous snakes, and it plays a critical role in keeping an ecosystem healthy and balanced.
When identifying the eastern indigo, look for the following characteristics:
- bluish black in color, appearing iridescent purple in the light
- orange-red on the chin, sides of the head and throat
- males commonly reach 7–9 feet in length, females are slightly smaller
- new hatchlings are 16-24 inches long
- produces annual clutches of 6–12 eggs, Indigos may travel up to three miles during warmer seasons in search of new habitat and prey.
A daytime hunter, the Indigo Snake was once a common sight throughout Florida, Georgia, southern Alabama and southeastern Mississippi.
I remember seeing Indigo Snakes in the Everglades as a kid - but that was over 30 years ago, and they are not a snake that you see very often in South Florida anymore.
In 1978, eastern indigos were federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Threats to the snake included loss of habitat, which continues today, and over-collection for the pet trade.
As you probably know if you are local to South Florida, our Everglades are basically destroyed at this point. I rarely even see a bunch of alligators when going across Alligator Alley or Tamiami Trail anymore.
Are you looking for more fun posts about animals?
Check out this post about MERMAIDS!!
ARE MERMAIDS REAL? ANIMAL PLANET DOCUMENTARY MERMAIDS: THE NEW EVIDENCE
Or what about these GIANT Grey Wolves?? Are they real? Is it all photoshop? Read this blog post and weigh in!
GIANT CANADIAN GREY WOLVES IN IDAHO – FACT OR PHOTOSHOP?
Updated to add: I think this is actually a Indigo Snake, NOT a Black Rat Snake...
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Jen
people actually try to kill snakes on their own? I'd run and call someone else to do it after I recovered from passing out at the sight of that giant thing.
tamie
Now that was awesome! Loved it 🙂
Donna
Everything has a purpose (except cockroaches and rats - they're nasty and have absolutely no use whatsoever)... and that was one of the coolest things! We would have taken pictures, too. 🙂
Mellisa
Ok this just scares me! I hate snakes.
Ivlatte
Shake my head....... Hate snake on snake crime. Senseless
Sid Newsome
This is probably a King snake.
Kristen
The only bad thing is if you live in the south, it could be a water moccasin. They look exactly like a rat snake but are poisonous and live in water and on land.
Ray Tosch
That is not a black snake, they only get 24 to 36 inches long that is a indigo snake the Fl.state snake they get to 6 to 9 feet
Kate
Thank you so much for sharing, I'm a country gal who (in part to fb) has many friends from all over & different backgrounds, things like this make it easier for me to share important/enlightening info with all by re-posting . You make my day a bit easier.
BW
no. water moccasins are brown. Also known as a cotton mouth (white inside the mouth)
here's a link to a photo: http://www.carolinanature.com/herps/cottonmouth.html
Jeff
I have seen them at 6 feet long...in Georgia.
amber
Black rat snakes are capable of being longer than 2-3 feet, I've seen them get upwards of 6 ft given a safe environment and plenty of food. My grandmother had a black rat snake that lived under her house for years, it was definitely longer than 3 feet. I've never seen them eat other snakes though, so it is a likely possibility that this is an Indigo Snake. Also, water moccasins can be black or brown but they all have patterned scales while the black rat snake has no real pattern beyond white specks that come and go.
Wyvern
It is an Eastern Indigo Snake - NOT a black rat snake. Indigos are endangered and federally protected. They love to eat snakes and are known to regularly feed on venomous snakes including rattlers. They often reach 6-8 feet in length.
FYI for those that think black rat snakes are small snakes - well fed ones easily reach 6 feet.. rare are those that make it to 8 feet.
Shane
Just so you know, to anyone that claims that this is not a black snake; Indigo snakes are also commonly called "Black Snakes."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Indigo_Snake
Simple as google, and your welcome. 😉
Bill
You can tell the difference also by their heads, Rattlesnakes, Water Moccasins (Cotton mouth) & Copperheads have triangle heads (pit vipers).
Jeff
Moccasins aren't poisonious either. 😛
kack
We just had a black snake at least 5 feet long so whoever says they can't get that size they do were in west va and there's only a few dif breed of snakes up this way and the black snakes are good for rodents and other smaller snakes and are also non poisonous yet I don't like wild snakes there here for a reason...
Virginia
I wouldn't get close enough to kill it, but I would run like it was trying to kill me! Crazy that it ate the rattle snake. Did you see the picture of the snake eating the alligator? That one was epic, too!
Tom Robinson
Better get another fact sheet on snakes. Black Rat Snakes Grow to more than seven feet. I have two of them.
Froglily
Not an Eastern indigo or a rat snake (not that it really matters -- the important thing is don't kill the snake!) See the faint white striping? That's an Eastern kingsnake. Kingsnakes are called kingsnakes because they eat other snakes, including venomous ones.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_kingsnake Indigos have a lot of red on their underbellies and the lower part of their faces: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_Indigo_Snake.jpg Black rat snakes have a lot of white on their underbellies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_rat_snake#Description
Jody
Cockroaches, Rats & Mosquitoes. Don't forget mosquitoes!
Ben
That would be a Mexican Black King Snake. Not a Rat Snake
Herbert
Years ago I stepped down barefoot on a coiled, six-foot black snack in my back yard. It hurt LIKE HELL, and I thought I was going to die...but didn't. When I described the snake to a friend, he said, 'You're not gonna die........"
Robert
I've had a black snake living under our house since we built it in 2002. I hate snakes but he is keeping the copperheads away,other poisonous snakes and even feild mice. So to me,they are great because i've seen alot of copperheads underneath both buildings that i store items in and the other i use as a work shop. Both of which have had mice and copperheads. Too bad i can't find another black snake to keep under both buildings. The black snake under the house always leaves atleast a 6 to 7 ft long skin, and i always terrorize friends with it.
Janette
You forgot spiders!!
Doug
I have seen Black Rat Snakes over 5 feet long here in West Virginia. I have one close to 6 feet in my building. I first seen him 2 years ago. Since he has been here, I have seen no other snakes.
Brian
That was awesome. I love snakes. Snakes on snakes is the best.
Chris
It's probably an Eastern indigo, but if it's 6 feet or less in length it could be a black racer.
Beverly
Tom t you are wrong black snakes here in pa get 8 to 12 ft long very good snakes but can be aggressive
steve pierce
This is not a black rat snake . It is a king snake. They will eat all other types of snakes including poisonous ones.
Jamie
Too many freakin snake experts on here. You guys sound like abunch of bickering, nerdy, know it alls. Who cares. It's a "black" colored snake eating another snake. Pretty cool.
Trouble
Indigo for sure, and they r protected! Never herd of rat snake eating rattle snake period
Dee
Don't know much about snakes, been bitten by a copperhead, (another story). I have a red-point Siamese, he catches anything that moves, one day I was on the porch talking on the phone, this cat was walking beside, what I think is a black snake, smacking it on the tail, the snake wandered on, occasionally looking back at the cat. I kept my distance...
Nicole
I'm from Florida and my sister used to do snake and alligator shows at an alligator farm. This is a king snake for sure! They are awesome and actually make good pets for those people who like them as pets(not me lol), then this is one of the best kinds to own. I've held them before and they are very docile believe it or not. They are good to have around because they aren't venomous and will eat any other snakes that try to come around venomous or not.
redtailhawker
In most states it is illegal to kill snakes. You don't have to like them, but you don't have to kill them either.
If we could kill anything we didn't like, most of US would already be dead.
An interesting fact: Most snakebites occur when someone is trying to kill the snake. Leave it alone & it will leave you alone.
I know in Georgia it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail to possess or kill any non-venomous snakes (O.C.G.A. §27-1-28).
All snakes are an essential part of wildlife resources. Fear or negative attitudes about snakes often stem from a lack of knowledge of their habits and role in the ecosystem. The majority of snakes found throughout the states are non-venomous, harmless and usually beneficial to man. A greater understanding of their importance as predator and prey often brings a greater appreciation for these admittedly not so “warm and fuzzy” animals with which we share our yards, gardens and forests.
andrea corry
and whatabout wasps? what is the use of wasps? I hate wasps! and the invasion of rollie pollies and ants.... 🙁
Rachel
lol they get to 10ft around my house .. they eat rats and other pests that I don't like so we leave them alone ... didn't know they ate other snakes now they WILL live a long and happy life
brian
and thats why i like maine.. we aint got shit up here for venomus snakes, down in so.maine ya might come a cross a timber ratteler but thats bout it.
Lee
http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/eastern-ratsnake/blackrat_snake.php - Note from the VA Herpetological Society: * The eastern ratsnake is the only 6+ foot snake found in Virginia.
Great set of picture. Snakes aren't pets, but certainly a Ratsnake is a wonderful addition to any backyard.
William
Don't know what planet you're from but here on earth,water moccasins are also called cotton mouth snakes.And they are "pit vipers" and ARE poisonous ! Do a little research before you post uneducated comments please...
William
Don't know what planet you're from but here on earth,water moccasins ARE poisonous! Water moccasins,also known as the "cotton mouth" Is a "Pit Viper".Do a little research before you post uneducated comments please...
Brad
This is definitely a snake from the west. That is a western diamondback that it is eating. So unless one of them was a transplant escapee or a staged event, it is not happening on the east, and to be sure not in Florida. The most likely candidate is the Mexican Black Kingsnake variety already mentioned above.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_black_kingsnake
Unc guy
Listen here, I live in NC and black snakes rule here. I have watched one eat a copperhead. Here they all are easily over 6 ft! I have a skin that's 12 ft long. This is no king snake, though kings do eat venomous snakes, black snakes do as well. I grew up handling and playing with them. So end of convo it's a black snake. If you want I can upload a video of a black snake eating a cocktail out of out cage?
Dylan Bennett
That is actually not a black ratsnake(Elaphe obsoleta) it's actually a black racer(Coluber constrictor). Black ratsnakes are strictly mamal and bird eating snakes they do not see other snakes or reptiles in general as one of their natural "prey images". Still very useful snakes to have around as there's no better mouse traps you can buy anywhere than one that kills mice, digests then repeats and reproduces to produce more mobile mouse traps. Black racers are also good snakes to have though as it's not uncommon for them to eat venomous snakes, even rattlesnakes as seen in the pictures here.
Paul
They can be black too....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agkistrodon_piscivorus#mediaviewer/File:Cottonmouth_quarter.jpg
as to being able to tell by the shape of the head comment. Yes you can, but do you really want to be within striking distance to look at it's head? Probably not....
This is a cool article though.
Rickybobbi
That right there is no black snake, it's a large mouthed bass! look right here as plain as day of you don't believe me! http://m.123rf.com/photo-3119029_largemouth-bass.html
Mike
Jeff, you obviously don't know anything about moccasins be cause they are very venomous. The cotton mouth water moccasin is a venomous and easily aggitated snake. They will chase you if provoked. So make sure of your source, don't speak about something you have no knowledge of
Blake
I grew up in the south and at a lake. Moccasin coloration varies. There are also many water snakes that aren't venomous. http://www.livescience.com/43597-facts-about-water-moccasin-cottonmouth-snakes.html
CRB
spiders eat the mosquitoes we hate. and flies. and other bugs. don't kill 'em.
Jenn
LOL! Hey, as long as the crime is against something that could kill me...I guess I am okay with it!
Jenn
Yes! We look out for that viper head - sometimes a non-venomous snake will look poisonous (like the king snake that resembles a coral snake), but mostly you can tell by looking at the head.
Michael farrel
that looks like a king snake to me.water moccasins can be black tan or tan with stripes....there's also one called a false moccasin....looks just like a water moccasin but is non venomous.the only snakes I kill are copperheads.....they are mean and not afraid of you.even the Crocodile Hunter was scared of copperheads.
HOT RAM
Snakes are not poisonous,they are VENOMOUS !!
Scott
Well, duh, don't provoke them! The vast majority of venomous snakebites in the US occur when people are messing with the snakes. Give them a wide berth. Have them removed (and I don't mean killed) by an appropriate authority. Snakes do a lot of good (as seen in this article, and even venomous ones help keep rodents under control) but people kill them ruthlessly and relentlessly. There are up to 8,000 venomous snakebites in the US annually which would be less if people left them alone, but which only result in less than 10 fatalities per year.
JoAn McFadden
Very informative. I live in the country and spend considerable time at the lake. This information is helpful.
TIMOTHY OSBORNE
- WOW THAT WAS GREAT 2 SEE,HAVE NEVER KILLED THEM, HAVE BEEN BITTEN BY BLACK SNAKE,BECAUSE OWN FAULT TRYING 2 REMOVE,THINK THEY EASILY SCARED AWAY THOUGH,GUESS REALLY ARE A PLUS,!!! =- {;-))=
870 comp
I caught a 6' eastern rat snake when I was 10 yrs old.
We lived in a townhouse complex in Duncansvilla PA at the time and my Lord did people completely freak out. I let him go after a few hours.
Just a curious kid who spent all summer outdoors.
I miss those days!!!!
Brandon
Snake pictures always seem bring out "experts". I use that term in lieu of something more colorful. It is, in fact, an indigo snake. The blacks (rats and racers) do often exceed 4 ft in length, but they NEVER get that kind of girth or body mass on them. They're always long and narrow.
Michelle
Actually, they are venomous. If they were "poisonous" you wouldn't be able to eat them. Their venom is a type of poison that is introduced through injection. Many frogs are poisonous, but snakes and other reptiles are venomous.
John
Poisonous means contact, so what he said was one hundred percent accurate. There is no such thing as a poisonous snake. Venomous, is the correct term.
About those uneducated comments...
Scotty Barnes
they can be gray
Kendra
I actually had to kill a black snake like two days ago it went to follow my husband I took a step and it came after me and striked at my foot
Josh
The black snake is a Texas Indigo Snake and the other, as pointed earlier, is a western diamondback. This is a pretty common site in S. Texas. The Indigo is a constrictor but when eating snakes its not the constriction that kills. The rattlesnake is still alive for sometime until the Indigo's stomach acid is able to kill the rattler.
Brian
Here in Delray Beach FL I have seen numerous coral snakes, pygmy rattlers, black snakes (we call them black racers) and cottonmouths. By far the cottonmouths are the most aggressive. Pissed of by the lawn mower, they've chased me.
Dale Parkinson
…I might add to the list of critters of no or questionable purpose, Skunks and Porcupines.
monty
That is not a black rat snake. That is a eastern blue indigo snake. Rat snakes are constrictors and suffocate their prey before eating them. Blue Indigo's are immune from the venom of all North American Rattlesnakes and that is why they can swallow a rattlesnake whole and very much alive. Although factually inaccurate regarding the type of snake good article and picture of a Blue Indigo eating a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
Hal Carlisle
That actually IS a black rat snake. "The common rat snake is medium-sized, averaging 42 to 72 inches..." according to the National Zoo ( http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/Factsheets/Blackratsnake.cfm ). I am from Missouri and Illinois and in the boonies it is pretty common to see them 5 ft. long or more. I had one as a pet that was over 6 ft. There is even one at the St. Louis Zoo that is over 6 ft. that you can see for free.
Hal Carlisle
That actually is a rat snake, and not just based on size. Indigo snakes are about as pure black as they come. This is a rat snake. You can tell not only by the shape of the head, but by the black and white pattern still visible between the scales. Black rat snakes are born black and white and the pattern remains on the skin between the scales, even though the scale itself darkens with age.
Doug
That's an Indigo Snake. Very big and scary looking, but non-aggressive and not poisonous. Eat rattle snakes for a living. Considered a good snake.
Becky
This is a king snake, which are so named because they eat other snakes. Not all black snakes (racers, rat snakes, etc) can eat other snakes.
b
Too many know it all's.
Sheryl
Just remember "Red touches yellow you're a dead fellow, red touches black that's OK Jack"
Jenn
Thank you! They might be "cute" but I can't think of any purpose they serve either! ha!
Jenn
Wow! I haven't seen a cottonmouth EVER - and I live in Miami across from the zoo, and there's a huge park there. Freaky!
Jenn
Wow, really?! I have seen rat snakes around the yard here in Miami, but not very often. They usually slither away whenever they see us, they aren't aggressive at all. That would have scared the crap out of me!
Jason
I find this discussion pretty awesome, not nerdy or know-it-all-ish. So, we have some who are certain it is an Indigo, and others who are certain it is a King. Anyone care to agree or disagree? I'm actually curious as to what it really is, because I have never seen something like this in my life. Thanks!
Jenn
I am actually pretty curious. I grew up with pet snakes and we were members of the Herp society back in the 90s...I was sure it was a Black Rat Snake!
Tom phillips
not so I have found black snakes up to 12 feet long in Va you have just been finding young ones
Jenn
Ha ha! I grew up with a similar saying, "Red on yellow will kill a fellow but red on black is a friend of Jack!"
Eric
Actually, mosquitos do serve a purpose believe it or not. They are the #1 source of protein transfer for many species of animals that eat them after they have drank the blood of larger animals- birds, amphibians, bats, etc. Those smaller animals are in turn prey species for larger carnivores. Just goes to show, everything has a purpose and niche in the eco system!
gregg
As to the coloration of Cottonmouths... they range from grey to brown to black, and if they don't kill you.... they sure make for a really bad day!
Peggy
They are a food source for critters you do like.
Glenn Shapiro
I have determined that mosquitos have two purposes.
One- to act as a genetic modifer through the passing on of disease. This can make other species adapt to the new disease.
Two- larval mosquitos act as fish food (when in a pond with fish).
Kevin C
As far as I know... Wasps serve no purpose as they can't pollinate.. so they are just a pest. As are the American Cockroach aka those pesky water bugs.
Jenn
I KNEW that roaches served no purpose! I hate those things!
Steve
Back.home in.Fla we had a black indigo tht my sons use to catch periodically it was very docile , we live on 74 acres , mostly woods the last time we saw her she was abt 8 ft long, although we killed many rattle snakes further back in the woods in 22 yrs of living there we never once killed on close to the house
JJ
Sure looks like a western rattlesnake. I don't think any variety on the east coast has a black and white banded tail. I believe the snake is a Texas Indigo. Note the stripes under the eyes.
Autumn
We had an Indigo Snake just a couple of weeks ago that even my snake hating grandfather wouldn't kill. The snake was hiding inside a Big Wheels toy and my neighbors grandson took it for a couple of rounds around the driveway. The snake never paid the child any attention, just crawled out and laid there (I believe he was dizzy!) Definitely not an aggressive snake!
Grins
You forgot flies....Ogden Nash said it best...."God in His wisdom made the fly and then forgot to tell us why."
laken
I thought this was awesome! My mother absolutely hates snakes, but who can blame her... Instead of carrying on controversy over what kind of snake it is, maybe some of you should "snopes.com" it or break out some type of snake book. It was for entertaining purposes, not heated arguments or insults on uneducated individuals. I'm for AL, the Rat snakes (black-ish-gray in color) and Chicken snakes here are harmless, have little white coloring on bellies and feed off of barn type critters... The cottonmouth is ALSO blackish-DARK grayish are aggressive as hell, WHITE MOUTHS (hence the "cottonmouth" term) and are smaller in size. I've seen them chase after boaters/anglers around the lakes here... Not cool. Copper heads are more aggressive and blend in with "fall" colored leaves... Aside from all the controversies on what the snake actually is...let's all agree that there is one less rattler sliding around... 😉
Joe
Indigo for sure. The black stripes under the eye confirms that fact. I would pay big money for a black rat snake over 8 feet and huge money for a 12 footer, but alas they just don't exist.
stephen
Wasps do serve a purpose, they can pollinate, and Figs are only populated by one species of wasp, which the fig tree then closes the flower upon, and digests the wasp to serve as nutrients for the fig to grow, so that growing it's fruit, the tree doesn't over tax the soil
stephen
Had a 6ft + Black snake in Kentucky holding it at arms length above my head and it's tail dragged the ground around my feet
Jenyfer
and mosquitos and fleas and ticks........
dee
Skunks keep down the rat and mouse population. The ONLY time we kill them is if they are acting out of character and so suspected of being rabid. Otherwise they are pretty cool!
Michele
Well one time my X-Husband came to my house showing out and causing a seen. Next thing you know he takes off running and couldn't hardly breath. I'm guessing a skunk was hiding in the corner behind the house and got tired of him running his mouth and the skunk sprayed him good. He said he burnt his eyes and it took over 2 weeks bathing in tomato sauce for him to be able to go into public cause the smell was so bad. Now I think in this case the skunk had a big purpose. it was funny as hell.
Ceann Hayes
You are so right. People tend to judge negatively on what they don't understand or are ignorent to. Snakes are to me, one of the natural things we received from the start. Good snakes keep bad snakes away. I'm 5'5" tall. No stupid snake is going to charge me with the intent of hurting me. I grew up hearing if it's on the ground, poke it before picking it up. Carry a large stick and rustle the bushes when walking throught the woods. For me, it's mostly up to get the spider webs. If you hate snakes, just get away from them. It's their right to be there.
Nettle Greenman
Wasps serve a huge purpose: they kill insects that cause damage to a lot of things that humans love. (How do they kill them? Think "Alien." Hollywood has never come up with anything more frightening than the average insect does to other insects.) And of the gazillion species of wasps, almost all of them are harmless to humans. Even the paper wasps that I hate seeing around my house kill termite larvae.
There isn't really a single thing you can take out of the ecosystem without knocking everything else out, like dominoes. Even mosquitoes and roaches, which are the food source at the bottom of the food chain for many, many animals.
I'm still going to kill those paper wasps building a nest on my porch, though. My empathy doesn't extend to getting stung to death when I open my door. But the ones who don't live anyplace where I'm going to clash with them...go in peace, little scary wasps, and may you eat many termites.
Glenda
When I was young and not too smart about snakes, living in SW Georgia where snakes abound, I came home to find a black snake in my back yard. He seemed paralyzed or something. He would not move although I tried to chase him off. Since my mother taught me to be afraid of any kind of snake, this snake's refusal to leave made me quite anxious. After a half hour of watching the snake in my yard, I took my husband's pistol, kept only for killing snakes, and shot the reptile right behind the head. To my astonishment, the black snake opened its mouth really, really big and suddenly another snake slithered out of his mouth and scurried off into the woods. The whole thing terrified me! I ran inside thinking this was like the Trojan Horse story. Maybe this black snake had brought his comrades to invade my yard. LOL.
Of course, I realized, too late, that the black snake had eaten another snake and was trying to digest it, and that was why it would not be chased away or would not crawl away. I have no idea of the correct name of this black snake, but to this day, I will not kill a black snake in my yard. I might shiver a bit when I see them, however.
Gary Vos
Many years ago I saw a special on spiders. I'm not 100 percent sure but I think it was on PBS. At the end the message was that if all spiders suddenly disappeared from the earth our planet would be unlivable within 30 days due to the proliferation of insects. From seeing that special I no longer kill spiders. And so happy for this post so I can spread the word that not all snakes are bad.
Debra Goin
There's many "good" snakes, even the "bad ones" are good ! They eat mice, rats etc... that would over run our crops,grain elevators so on and so forth, it would be very bad if we didn't have snakes. They help keep the balance. I don't kill any snake if I can keep from it. I even stop when I see a rattle snake on the road and remove it, when possible.
Maggie
While we're talking about is-es and is-nots, Hell is not funny, Michelle. The skunk story
was.
Juanita Miller
What about stink bugs? I know of nothing good they do.
mags
Best skunk purpose ever!
Sylvia Seal
Great pictures! I had a black snake for years and we had a mutual understanding. I talk to him when I saw him; told him to just leave me alone and to eat the field mice. It worked out great!
Ken Hancock
In many instances you can not tell if a snake is venomous by the shape of its head. The most positive identification is by the pupil in its eye. If the pupil is Vertical in shape (black slit up and down) and not round, it is a venomous Snake. There are some venemous snakes with arrow shaped heads, others have round heads. Coral Snake (Venomous) has a rounded head as does a King Snake ( non venomous). Rattlesnakes, Cottonmouths and Copperheads all have vertical shaped pupil in the eye and an arrow shaped head.
Anne
Fire ants. We have to add fire ants to the list!
george crawford
actually it's an eastern indigo snake
Sarah
Actually, without spiders the world would be covered in insects
greg
I want to know is Donna single???
eprevatt
yes moccasins are poisonous,,i know this for fact ,my husband used to hunt snakes ,especially rattlesnakes .they aren't all cottonmouths ,several kind of them ,they will chase you too..
Missy
Actually, roaches provide a huge source of food for predator insects such as scorpions, spiders, crickets (some species are very carnivorous), centipedes, praying mantises, and other carnivorous insects. In addition, some animals prey on roaches such as lizards, birds, and birds. So, they fill a gap in providing a ready food source for a variety of animals and insects. As far as a helpful role in the ecosystem (other than being prey). They do not provide any helpful benefits. Roaches are scavengers and scavenge on rotting and filthy sources of vegetation and decaying meat. Because of this, they can also be plague carriers of various diseases. Which goes to show you how helpful they are to society.
Tamie
Indigos don't have any patterns on them as far as I know.
Here's a beauty of an Indigo snake.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_indigo_snake#mediaviewer/File:Eastern_Indigo_Snake.jpg
selkie
The familiar types of wasps are really only the tip of the wasp iceberg (take a moment to enjoy that image). There are a staggering number of species of wasp. It's sort of a basic insect chassis. Have an insect ecological role you need taken care of? There's a wasp for it. Want to fertilize a flower but a bee isn't going to work? Use a wasp. Want to put out a hit on another type of insect or a spider? We got some contacts; no job too big or too small. Need some dead meat removed? That can be arranged. You have a vineyard you need prepped with natural yeast for making wine? Already on contract. No extra charge for storing it over the winter.
Wes
That IS in fact a black snake. Indigo snakes do not live in the US. Many constrictors aka "nonvenomous" snakes eat venomous snakes. Black snakes and King snakes are 2 in America.
Melissa
Just so everyone will know....the black snake is NOT a black rat snake....it is a KING snake. King snakes eat venomous snakes.
Stephen Kievit
I have been working with snakes my whole life, that is what I do. There is not a black rat snake on the planet that is 12 foot long, 6 foot, yes. And young immature black rat snakes are not even black.
Stephen Kievit
I should follow up, the pictures posted is the snake eating the rattlesnake is of a Indigo, not a Black Rat snake.
Stephen Kievit
Wes you better do more research on Indigo's, they sure do live here in the USA.
Stephen Kievit
If you look very closely at the pictures the back half the snakes skin has no pattern, but the front half looks like it does, that is because the skin is stretched and you can see between the scales, that is why it looks like a pattern. Also if you look closely at the chin you can see that it is red, that tells you it is the western Indigo, which can be found in Texas plus it is eating a western diamondback, which all makes sense.
Gnuorder
Wasps do pollinate. And they prey on many other insects, often having a specific insect they prey on.
Gnuorder
It's a matter of semantics. A poisonous animal or plant would make you sick by coming in contact or ingesting it. A venomous animal would have to actually inject you to make you sick through a bite or a sting. You can handle a rattle snake or black widow all day long but you wont get sick unless they bite you.
Gnuorder
The color is wrong for a kingsnake (it has more distinct color bands) and the head is wrong for an indigo. The almost diamond shaped patterns can throw you off but I think it's the white skin showing because the snake is stretched out. The nose is brownish. No good shot of the underbelly. It could also be a racer. Depending on where the photo was taken could help determine which kind of snake it is. All four eat other snakes, including venomous ones. I would lean towards a racer except that looks pretty large and fat for a racer. Here is a helpful guide to identifying snakes in Florida.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-guide/snakekey.htm
Gnuorder
I believe you may be right. I'm mostly familiar with Florida snakes and while thought the photo was taken in Florida, it didn't really fit a Florida snake well so I looked up Texas Indigo when you mentioned it.
http://www.opticstalk.com/texas-indigo-snake_topic11912.html
matthew
Same here in Tennessee. Black Snakes get very very big lol
Michelle
Water moccasins look much different. They are a heavy bodied snake. Black snakes are more slender. And yes, I live in the south.
Nanci
Well If I kill them around my house, that leaves a lot of spiders out there, I am terrified of them, sorry!!!!
wayne
indeed amazing. but for all of you talking about vermin, the snakes most prized snack like mickey dees fries. if there were no rats...
Sara
I liked how the rat snake was hanging out near the hose!
Sarah
I thought it was funny that the rat snake was hanging out around the hose. He was trying to stay incognito.
Ronald Lean McCullough
Actually Cockroaches are being used for scientific researches. 🙂 Rats are as well. So you're statement is false. :3
CDubHow
For those of us in the really deep south... what about those dadgum LOVE BUGS? What on earth good are they except for messing up your windshield and your car's paint job?
Revis
You forgot mosquitoes as well.
Sharon Lewis
What's the purpose of rattle snakes or cooper heads any other venomous snakes?
Carrie
Rodent control
Mike Allen
I don't think it is an indigo snake ,it's not blue but what really makes me hi k it is not an indigo is the way it attacked the other snake.The Eastern Indigo Snake is carnivorous, like all snakes, and will eat any other small animal it can overpower. It has been known to kill its prey by wildly beating it against nearby objects. Captive specimen are frequently fed dead prey to prevent injury to the snake from this violent method of subduing its prey. Its diet has been known to include other snakes (ophiophagy), including venomous ones, as it is immune to the venom of the North American rattlesnakes. Eastern Indigo Snakes eat turtles, lizards, frogs, toads, a variety of small birds and mammals, and eggs.m
Mike Allen
Wes the do live in the South . The Eastern Indigo Snake is carnivorous, like all snakes, and will eat any other small animal it can overpower. It has been known to kill its prey by wildly beating it against nearby objects. Captive specimen are frequently fed dead prey to prevent injury to the snake from this violent method of subduing its prey. Its diet has been known to include other snakes (ophiophagy), including venomous ones, as it is immune to the venom of the North American rattlesnakes. Eastern Indigo Snakes eat turtles, lizards, frogs, toads, a variety of small birds and mammals, and eggs.[6][10]
Penny Street
I don't think it's an Indigo either. Black rat snakes have a whitish chin, which is clearly visible in first picture. Indigo's have a reddish chin. Just an FYI trivia for everyone. Snakes that have venom are venomous not poisonous. Venomous and poisonous are not interchangeable terms. It's a little distinction, but the difference is that venom is injected by the fangs which make snakes venomous. Poison is something that you ingest.
Bill
My rule: If it is not a threat or a treat to eat: I am gonna leave it alone.
ronald chase
wait until rattlesnakes get on the endangered list! Will the EPA or ACLU get involved? Some religious sects will certainly be angry with the haters.
mac sterling
Skunks will not spray except as a last resort. A dog or cat will go for them and therefore they will spray, otherwise they will just waddle away. Keep your trash can cover on tight, it is a good dinner for them.
Joy
There is a rat that is good. It is the Wood rat. It has black eyes, the back is dark brown, the ears are round. It is getting to be extinct in some areas. Check out all the good things it does. :):):)
gary
Wasps and hornets are the hawks of the insect world. Like the spiders, they eat the insects that cause us problems.
Rachel R.
We've seen some pretty good-sized black snakes here in VA. (My sister found one in the bathroom once!) We don't generally see rattlers around here, but they will eat cottonmouths or copperheads. And rodents. Unfortunately, they also eat EGGS (as in, the kind WE eat), so we had to kill a few when we lived on a farm. Couldn't have them eating all the eggs before we got any!
Marty Kirkpatrick
Black snakes grow larger than people think..I have seen them16-20 ft. long..Never thought they were capable of those lenghts til I surprized a couple. They are extremely slow at those sizes.
Scott
It was an animal show hosted by Hal Holdbrook. I saw that when I was young and quote it often. But the timeframe is 3 years, not 30 days. The only life left on the planet would be in the ocean, and I'm sure that would be drastically affected too. Ironic that spiders are the #1 fear in the world, yet most of us would die without them. 🙂
Michelle Landreth
They eat rats and other critters that you don't want inside your home. Without them, we'd all be in a mess.
thuoc pha thai
For those of us in the really deep south… what about those dadgum LOVE BUGS? What on earth good are they except for messing up your windshield and your car’s paint job?
Tammy Lytle-Hall
Spiders are great for insect control as well.
Tammy Lytle-Hall
Having lived in West Virginia, I noticed a black snake sunning itself on my sidewalk in front of my house. My Mother got hysterical and started yelling for my snake intolerant husband, so I gently picked up the poor thing and it was completely placid and I placed it next to my raspberry bushes out of sight. My Mom nearly stroked out. She called my dad,a former Marine., expecting him to agree I had been reckless and dangerous and he was tickled to death. Lol
Susan Parks
I believe its...red against black better watch your back. Black against yellow is a mellow fellow.
Sandra
Sorry to disagree, but there is apparently no purpose for the existence of buffalo gourds or puncture vines. I WOULD add mesquite to that list other than protecting certain birds, the only things they are good for is firewood for smoking meat, sucking up any water in the vicinity and they are real good at popping tires if you just happen to hit one!
Yoo
Crowd control
Annemarie
None....just to scare to shit out of you!😫
Joann Allen
Put ticks along in that list.
LCat
What are you talking about? It’s an Indigo and of course we have Indigos in the US. Eastern Indigos are endangered but still here and the one in the photos appears to be a Texas Indigo.
David Wilson
Let's not seek to evaluate a species by their perceived benefits to the world, much less to human beings. What would we surmise about the value of humans using the same criteria? Are we a benefit or a detriment?
Mary
Yummy and yay for the black snake. May he live to consume another!
Grae
Well, I have to say I don't think the snake in the photo eating the rattlesnake is a black rat snake. Based on it's size and shape and the fact that it's eating a western diamondback I would have to say that this is a Texas Indigo snake which like king snakes are highly resistant/immune to pit viper venom.
Jenn
I added an edit at the end - a lot of people think it's an Indigo and I agree!
Lilly B
I see the edit, and agree. I believe the snake pictured is actually an Eastern Indigo Snake. It is EXTREMELY rare that any common black snake (rat snake) will feed on a venomous snake. Black snakes (rat snakes) typically will 'befriend' these snakes during the colder months to stay warm and share dens. The eastern indigo snake is a massive, black snake. It is the longest snake native to the United States, ranging in size from 60-84 inches and is entirely shiny bluish-black color, including the belly. The chin and sides of the head are usually colored reddish or orange-brown, as you can kind of start to see in these photos. My vote is definitely Indigo, but regardless, the pictures are wonderful. Great job!
mplo
You're wrong, Jeff! Moccasins are deadly poisounous--and could kill you!t
mplo
Rattlesnakes are can be found in every state here in the United States, except for Maine, because Maine is too cool for rattlesnakes, qlimatewise.
mplo
The best thing overall is to totally avoid snake-infested areas when hiking and/or camping. It's crazy to tempt fate.
mplo
Ouch!
A bite from a non-poisonous snake is no free lunch either, because it can inject bacteria into the area of the bite, and thereby cause an infection, or some sort of an allergic reaction in the person who's been bitten.
MSgt Charles Drown, Ret.
Chase boaters, that they do! As kid living in Florida, I was fishing in a small boat on Lake Fleur De Les in Hillsborough County when I saw a snake swimming at the other end of the lake. He stopped and began coming toward me. As he stuck his head on the edge of the boat I introduced him to my paddle. He was a moccasin! Raccoon hunting at night in bay heads we have encountered many of them and most were aggressive. The black snakes that lived on our property evidently kept the bad guys away since we never saw any around the house. I lived there until I was over 22 and Uncle Sam made me an offer I could not refuse.
MSgt Charles Drown, Ret.
The Scarlet King Snake is non-venomous and may appear to the uneducated to be the Coral Snake. Coral Snake always has a black head to just past the eyes and a black tail - don't grab the wrong end. Coral has very little venom because of its size. Their fangs are not retractable and are very small. Bites to adults usually are not fatal, the last death was in the late 60's and the vaccine was developed around that time. Western Coral Snake has no reported deaths. The longer they can bite/chew on you the more venom they inject. So keep your fingers out of their mouth!
Chuck Drown, MSgt, Ret.
I agree! Besides rattlesnakes are very tasty. But unlike the other snake eaters I do not eat them raw. I skin them and cook them, throw them on the grill. Makes good hat bands and belts if you get a big one.
Shel
They kill rats and mice which helps us in many ways. The uppermost in my mind is that they keep us safe from the black plague which is carried by the aforementioned rodents.
Matty B.
I killed one today and would do it again given the opportunity.
Jenn
Have fun with rattlesnakes!
Marlene Downig
kill them to see how fast I really can run------ to the washer for the long brown trail- can't stand to lookat pics of snakes..so just glanced once and then read the story
Rd
Wasp do pollination on peonies. I'm not sure about anything else