snake I.D. ???

[tattoo dave]

Hey everybody, found this in my yard this morning. It's almost 3' long. I was wondering if any of you could tell me what kind it is. I live in west Michigan. There are rattlers in michigan, but they are pretty rare. Now there is no rattlers on its tail, but it was shaking it's tail tip like he had some. Never spotted one that looked like this, so just curious what ya all think.

Tattoo Dave

[Lemos]

kinda looks like this guy, an eastern milk snake

[tattoo dave]

Looks a lot like that guy! Thanks.

Tattoo Dave

[Lemos]

Ok I was just checking your state laws and I hope you have your fishing license,cause apparently its required for personnel take of reptiles😄. Here we have to have a hunting license. Curious huh? I'm wondering if another state you'd be required to have a bird hunting license .

[osage outlaw]

I call those corn snakes.  They make a nice looking backing. 

[TRACY]

Fox snake. Closely related to the black rat snake. You've got a big one for a fox snake!
Here's a couple good links. You decide.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/snakes_turtles/foxsnake.html

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_12201-61210--,00.html



Tracy

[Lemos]

We need a head shot Dave. A fox snake has a bronze head as an adult. The Michigan Dnr page says a milk snake will vibrate its tail when agitated.

[Lemos]

Milk snakes usually have a light  y or v shape behind their heads.

[chamookman]

Did it "puff" His head/neck area sorta like a Cobra ? Milk Snakes will do that. Bob

[WillS]

It's definitely a colubrid of some sort, either milk snake or rat/corn snake.  A corn snake is actually just a rat snake with a higher percentage of orange in the colouration.  Colubrids pretend they're rattlesnakes when annoyed or stressed, and will rattle or vibrate their tails to warn predators away.  As said above, they also puff up a small area of the neck to imitate cobras.  Very cool animals!

[johnston]

Dave don't listen to those other guys....down south we call that a DEAD snake.

[PrimitiveTim]

It's definitely a milk snake... a really ugly one.  It's a shame you killed it though.  It's a profitable snake to have around as they eat rodents and other snakes and young ones will insects. 

Please familiarize yourself with your local snakes and don't kill them.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_12201---,00.html

[bubby]

i'll take your word for it being a milk snake, but I don't think it's ugly

[Pappy]

I agree ,not ugly at all,I usually don't kill them but got no problem with folks that do, I get what we call a Chicken snake/Rat snake on the road all the time this time of year. Great for bow backing.
   Pappy

[4dog]

Yo fellas corn snake yup thats what that is,got a great plains ratsnake looks just like that well slightly different but its a big corn snake,skin him dry him put him on a bow.