Looks like a plain old garden snake that recently had a nice meal, but I figure someone around here might have a better idea. Total length was about 36".
There is no doubt about it. It is a Straw Mamba which is also known as a Drought Mamba. They inhabit terrain that is dry and in need of rain. They are very clever snakes, not to mention lethal. They pretend to be photogenic but take advantage of the photographer. They either strike them dead on the spot or they follow them over great distances to lay in wait to strike at a later time. Either way and no matter how you look at it, you are doomed. Sorry.
Sorry for the fuzzy focus. Here's a better shot: My 10 month old likes to chase them around the house, so I guess I shouldn't have any reason to worry, right?
If it had been in my yard, it would have been the species seen commonly in urban areas called the Dead Snake.
Come on guys, lets be serious. From my expertise; a protuberance of skin and muscle makes it a Scrotum Snake. Don't fear, they like to lay low.
Give the guy a break. Its hard to hold a camera with a long zoom steady from an upstairs window while your hands are trembling in terror. Looks like a rat snake to me.
It would help if we knew where it was photographed. If it was taken in Texas, might it be a king snake?
I am in agreement with the dead snake group. If it is in my yard and I see it, it is going to be ID'd as a dead snake. I especially hate digging them up in my flowerbeds. It scares me so bad when I do that they are dead before I even know what type of snake I dug up. The spade is already in my hand and the chopping motion is a natural reflex.
Lots of funny and lots of sad on this thread. I have more reason than most to be afraid of snakes (and I do have an irrational fear of snakes), but killing any snake, even a poisonous one (except under certain circumstances), is not the brightest thing to do. Sorry to put it so bluntly.
I include all mambas in that statement except for the Drought Mamba, of course. Those are just too dangerous to not take every precaution.
I have done some research since this thread came up about Drought Mambas. It turns out they are so dangerous that even doing extensive reading about them is precarious sometimes. Therefore, I had to limit my reading in small intervals. For you guys, I persevered and I survived the process. The ones in North America have a special skill that scientists and snake specialists call, "Going Metal". They can make their bodies extremely rigid and almost hold their breath to do so. This makes their scales and muscles super hard. If somebody takes an average to decent swing at them with a shovel or hoe it will bounce off and make a Klang noise as if you hit metal. The person thinks it is a piece of pipe and let their guard down. Doomed is the forecast for that person, er, victim. A very clever, adaptive and resourceful snake. This metal ability in the Drought Mamba is mostly for adult males and very mature females that are not pregnant. The Drought Mamba is also the most romantic or loving of all snakes. I found this to be a surprise. They actually perform foreplay. The female will watch as the male goes on a killing and biting rampage. Nothing is safe. This makes the female receptive to the activities forthcoming. This can go on for anywhere from two to seven days. Then they get down to business. I found some videos on some member only sites that were downright sultry. The male snakes know what they are doing. It is almost as if they are latin or have taken swing dancing lessons. They have moves. The bodies twist and writhe against one another in a scaly symphony of love and passion, deadly passion. I almost got aroused watching it, it was that surreal. Yes folks, the Drought Mamba is a very specialized snake that pushes the boundary of what a snake can do. Amazing creature that will bite your ***. Please, be very careful. Your life depends on it. I hope you don't come across a Romeo on a rampage.
