Snake identification - Ask Extension
What kind of snake is this in the picture that I’m going to send you?
Knowledgebase
Snake identification #919993
Asked October 15, 2025, 1:16 PM EDT
What kind of snake is this in the picture that I’m going to send you?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
This looks like a juvenile Eastern Ratsnake (also called a Black Rat Snake). It is a non-venomous species found across Maryland, and the juveniles look different from the adults, which are mostly black and white (see the linked slide show for examples). If it's still alive, the snake should go to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, who can carefully remove it from the glue trap (which we do not recommend using) to minimize injuries to the animal.
Miri
Miri