can anyone identify this snake?

[zoefluf]

I live in southeast Louisiana and found it hiding under my house siding. It has a booboo on its back and my granddaughter wants to keep it. Is it safe or poisonous?
Jeanne

[~Ray~Gingerich]

It looks like a young black rat snake to me. non poisonous but they will bite.
www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_rat_snake.htm

[RC Moser]

Looks like a Pine snake or water snake? both species are common everywhere in La. ?

[Louise Chambers]

I also think it looks like a baby rat snake. I don't know what you might feed it when it's that small, maybe live crickets?

[Sue P]

To me it looks like a baby black snake. I don't know whether you have those that far south or not, but the black snakes aren't black when they are little. I had one in our garage, and released it in the woods. Their heads aren't shaped like a poisonous snake's head.

Sue P

[daveh]

I agree, black rat snake. All harmless snakes will have round pupils. Venomous snakes will have vertical pupils, like a cat. I've been told that the vertical pupils is not reliable at night but I'm not out looking for snakes at night.

All snakes will bite if startled and cornered but I've had black rat snakes that were quite layed back and could pick up and not get bit. They seem to like it. These two six footers would stay in my garage in a previous home when it got hot. Never had a mice or rat problem.

dave

[zoefluf]

Thanks everyone. This forum is the best as everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful. We do have lots of rat snakes and black snakes here. I have convinced my five year old granddaughter to release it this afternoon as it will not eat the cricket that we put in there last night.