A fairly rare snake for Texas (found only in the Eastern part of the State).

This is the third one I've seen on my property this year and the ONLY one I've been able to capture (this year).

Not marked as well as some of the others (buttermilk Flecks) but enough to easily identify it.

Typical of the species they WILL try to bite and it takes quite a while for them to 'settle' down when being handled.

https://youtu.be/Ul3FLO4tkJA

^^^^ OK I guess I don't know how to embed the video. Just click the link.

Thanks,

Now I need to learn how to do it.

I just copy the link from YT then click on the video upload icon and paste the link there
While the vid is playing, tap the screen. 3 icons will show up one is an arrow. Tap the arrow and a window will open with a "copy link" icon. Tap that icon and it will save to your clipboard. Come back to THF and tap the video upload icon, choose YT or Vimeo then paste the link

Thanks for posting that, if I see a snake I don’t recognize I always call a friend so I can find out what it is

This one (caught 2016) is more characteristic of what I see around here (more buttermilk flecks) and some can be almost white (having more flecks than base color of blueish-gray).

Like the one caught by Orry Martin.

Purdy little guy!

Beautiful snake! Seems most racers are nervous types who like to bite. I am having a lot of fun comparing the snakes I have found on my new place in east Texas to the ones at my home on the coastal plains near Victoria. I have already seen two different Texas rat snakes in my deer blind and last week as I bent down to turn a valve in my water well pump house I found a small Texas rat snake staring at me eye to eye from about three or four inches, ha ha!

Yes...every racer (buttermilk, blue, black) I've ever handled has immediately tried to bite and thrash around. They also excrete a most foul smelling fluid from their anal vent....(but many snakes do that).

Some will 'calm down' eventually, but I wouldn't advise ever letting go of their head.

In your area (about 40 West of me) you'll find a variety of snakes. You are close to (or in) the Davy Crockett Natl Forest) and there is a lot of undisturbed land around.

I would expect you have a lot of Rat Snakes, Rough Green Snakes, Ribbon Snakes, Racers. There are also Timber/Canebrake Rattlers in that area...one of the few places in East Texas you have a decent chance of seeing one. Of course...the ever present Southern Copperhead and some Moccasins. The Texas Coral is fairly rare to see in East Texas, I've seen exactly two in the 35 yrs. I've been here.

You will see many more Skinks (of various types) than you are likely to find snakes. They like to bite too. Especially the Broadheaded Skink, they bite and will not let go.

Welcome to East Texas.

Flintknapper,
So far I've seen 4 Texas rat snakes, a couple of yellow bellied water snakes, an apparent black racer from atop my tractor( tried to stop and jump off to see it but it made the brush before I could identify), and a ribbon snake killed by my lawnmower. I've also seen some of the common brown skinks that seem to be just like the ones at home. I've found many rough green snakes at my home in Inez but none so far in East Texas. Found a small red tinted toad of some sort and an unusual gray mottled colored frog. Also the largest black and yellow grasshoppers I have EVER seen!

The broad headed skink might be what we used to call wood lizards back home and I know from experience that what you say about them not letting go is true!!

I caught a bull snake when I was 10 or 11, never could get that sucker to calm down, Dad liked to have him around the bard to control the rats

Like you...I enjoy getting outside and seeing the various wildlife.

I see from your photo that the broad headed skink is a type I've never seen in the wild. I'll have to hope I find one eventually. Absolutely love hognose snakes. I have had the western type that was sandy brown and have captured many of the eastern type in various mixtures of colors from brown to black with mixes of red yellow and grey mixed. They are snakes with real personality playing dead or pseudo striking with their mouth closed.

One of my favorite snakes...thanks for posting

I've yet to find a Broad-Headed Skink in the woods. They have always been around a dwelling/building of some type. The Coal Skinks and Five Lined Skinks are numerous out in the woods however.

Yes, hognose snakes (vary widely in color) are a hoot. They really put on a show. Very convincing too...if you didn't know about them.

You say they are only found in east Texas, but I recently saw one on my place just north of Cross Plains. Had no idea what kind of snake it was until now. All I knew was that it was beautiful. Only one I have ever seen.

Possibly a case of mistaken identity? I'd be much surprised it they had expanded their territory that far West. The habitat there is also distinctly different than that in which they are typically found.

https://www.reptilefact.com/buttermilk-racer.html


Their current recognized geographical range is in Southern Arkansas, Mid to Northern Louisiana and East to Southeast Texas. They vary widely in their markings.

I would think what you saw was perhaps a Coachwhip? IDK?