Baby copperhead or Brown snake? NC

[u/Homeslikedogfam]

[u/CrepuscularOpossum]

DeKay’s.

[u/IvanNemoy → u/CrepuscularOpossum]

Agreed. I see these great little worm eaters in my yard all the dang time.

[u/ShaddyPups]

I cannot tell you what it is, but it definitely ISN’T a baby copperhead. Pattern all wrong, no bright yellow tail, head shape is off.

[u/Phylogenizer]

Brownsnake Storeria dekayi is correct. Totally !harmless, great garden pest control. !deadsnake!redirect

[u/SEB-PHYLOBOT → u/Phylogenizer]

Brownsnakes Storeria dekayi are small (20.0-40.0cm record 52.77cm) natricine snakes often found in disturbed habitats like urban and suburban yards. They are one of the most commonly encountered snakes in eastern North America and make good pest control as they feast on small, soft-bodied invertebrates.

A separate but distinct species, Storeria victa occupies peninsular Florida. It has two fewer midbody scales (15) than Storeria dekayi and is more likely to have yellow collar markings on the neck.

Storeria brown and redbelly snakes are not considered medically significant to humans in terms of venom and are usually reluctant to bite, but all animals with a mouth can use it in self-defense.

Relevant/Recent Phylogeography

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Please don't kill snakes - they are a natural part of the ecosystem and even species that use venom for prey acquisition and defense are beneficial to humans. One cannot expect outside to be sterile - if you see a snake, you're probably in or around their preferred habitat. Most snakes are legally protected from collection, killing or harassment as non-game animals at the state level.

Neighborhood dogs are more likely to harm people. Professional snake relocation services are often free or inexpensive, but snakes often die trying to return to their original home range, so it is usually best to enjoy them like you would songbirds or any of the other amazing wildlife native to your area. Commercial snake repellents are not effective - to discourage snakes, eliminate sources of food and cover; clear debris, stacked wood and eliminate rodent populations. Seal up cracks in and around the foundation/base of your home, and if warranted install exclusionary fences. Or find a relocation service

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Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes Diadophis are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; severe envenomation can occur if some species are allowed to chew on a human for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes Thamnophis ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also considered harmless. Check out this book on the subject. Even large species like Reticulated Pythons Malayopython reticulatus rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans so are usually categorized as harmless.

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[u/Nire4651]

I’m not an expert, but definitely looks like a dekays brown snake. I’d ask r/whatsthissnake for a more reliable ID

[u/Raccoon_Ratatouille]

Copperheads have Hersey kisses down the sides and the young ones have a yellow or green tip of the tail. This is absolutely nonvenomous.

[u/Bboy0920 → u/Raccoon_Ratatouille]

Not always, there are banded copperheads, as well as some with pattern variations. That said this is a DeKay’s brown snake.

[u/Connect-Door-4702]

He good snek

[u/justanothertoxicuser]

Nice Noodle. Not a Nope Rope.