Snake ID thread No. 15642398

[JoeThePoster]

Could someone please help ID this beauty?

Much appreciated.

Unfortunately, the gardener greeted him with a whack to the head before I could stop him.

Edited March 15, 2014 by JoeThePoster

[cornishcarlos]

Sure is a pretty thing... Shame the gardener got to it 1st !!

Hard to be certain with the flattened head but I would say a tree snake of some variety ??

[JoeThePoster]

Hey thanks CC! Pity about the smashed skull.

Any idea whether this is the poisonous type?

[steffi]

Color pattern is consistent with a Banded Rat Snake

[cornishcarlos]

Color pattern is consistent with a Banded Rat Snake

You could be right but unfortunately quite a few species are not all consistent in pattern or even color. That is why it is best not to handle any unless you are 100% certain what it is.

Both Golden Tree snakes and most types of rat snake are not venomous, at least not to humans. This is because they have very small mouths and rear positioned fangs.

As a 'general' rule, day time snakes are usually of the non harmful type. Actively hunting small frogs, reptiles and fish etc.

What size was the snake in the OP, might have been a juvenile, hence the non distinct patterning ?? Just a guess as I am no expert