Baby Snakes Found in House

[kgraziano33]

Hi,
I am located in Clearwater, FL. I have recently found 5-6 very small black snakes in my house and have been struggling to identify them. I am assuming that a mother some how got in and hatched them. they are all black and are about as big as a small worm I can tell they are snakes because I can see their very small forked tongue darting in and out. Any ideas?

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Do they have any any pattern or stripes?

[Stefan-A]

Could be water snakes, could be ringnecks, could be something else. Take some pictures, don't try to grab them.

[guidofatherof5]

I agree with Stefan. Many venomous snakes down there, don't risk a bite. Love to see some photos.

Here's a link that might help.
Florida Backyard Snakes (http://www.floridabackyardsnakes.com/)

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Yeah, that's what my guess is maybe baby ringnecks, dekay's, or red bellies. Can you see what color the bellies are? Im thinking they are too big to be garters or waters so most likely for you to find so many in your house they are probably dekay's sometimes they look black when first born like stefan said if you could snap some pics that would be great.

[kgraziano33]

Thanks for the quick update. It does not have any rings and is pitch black. I have attached a picture. You can barely tell its head from its tail and no eyes are visible. Their bellies are a dark brownish color. See attached picture.
6520

[kgraziano33]

Just talked to a local snake trapper. It is an invasive species called the Brahiminy Blind Snake. Heavy rains drive them inside. These guys look to be full grown. Thanks for the help.

[Stefan-A]

Invasive species, you say. In my humble opinion, they should be destroyed ASAP.

[snake man]

They look nasty to be honest.

[MCwyo]

Oh, creepy looking!!! It really dose look like a worm. I would double check with your local game & fish before destroying OR releasing OR keeping any.

[kerensa]

they eat ant larva and eggs. I'm torn on them, invasive yes, but all of the areas where they can survive outside in the US are areas that have problems with invasive ant species. Where as I would not have advocated bringing them to the states (they give me the creeping shudders) part of me sort of hopes they help with the ant issue since they're here...

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Blind snakes are all over florida now. I never heard of them getting in peoples houses though because they usually stay underground. I guess that's why they come in on heavy rains because they get flooded out. They are an invasive species but they are beneficial though because they eat termites and like the last post said ant larvae.

[EasternGirl]

I just don't like the idea of destroying any living thing unless there is a really justifiable reason for doing so. I mean...if there were hundreds of them invading your house and they were dangerous to you or if they were disrupting the environment somehow...maybe. I would see what I could learn about them...find out why exactly they are saying they are invasive. They eat larva and eggs of what?

[kerensa]

They eat larva and eggs of what? as previously stated they eat ant larva and eggs.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I understand stefan's opinion that they are an invasive species and should not be in florida, but on the other hand i agree with marnie because they are beneficial in all kind of ways if you look at it as they eat ants, ant and termite eggs, and termites plus they are a food source for baby racers,coachwhips,eastern coral snakes,baby indigos,pygmy rattlers,baby kings, and scarlet kings not to mention all the other hundreds of animals that would feed on them in the wild. I know you have to worry about parasites and diseases but all of these blind snakes are bred and produced in the wild all over florida now and have been there for years.

[Stefan-A]

I understand stefan's opinion that they are an invasive species and should not be in florida, but on the other hand i agree with marnie because they are beneficial in all kind of ways if you look at it as they eat ants, ant and termite eggs, and termites plus they are a food source for baby racers,coachwhips,eastern coral snakes,baby indigos,pygmy rattlers,baby kings, and scarlet kings not to mention all the other hundreds of animals that would feed on them in the wild. I know you have to worry about parasites and diseases but all of these blind snakes are bred and produced in the wild all over florida now and have been there for years.
The fact that they harm domestic ants and termites hardly counts in their favor. And how are the domestic competitors faring?

[Selkielass]

The fact that they harm domestic ants and termites hardly counts in their favor.

*looks, double takes and shakes *
In Florida, the insects always win, eventually.
We mere cordates can only hope to keep them temporarily at bay.
Id welcome allies against foes that literally want to eat me out of house and home.

Sic em on the ants and termites!

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I personally would much rather have thousands of these harmless little snakes underground than the ants and termites, but lets not blow this out of proportion because this is based my opinions and not the actual ecosystem i just prefer snakes over ants and termites. I am not trying to dispute anything about them being invasive but point out the pros of the situation because as long as they have been in florida i don't think we will be able to change the outcome were talking about years of breeding,living, and thriving in florida there is no telling how many are there so we better accept them point out the pros ot the situation and move on.

[kgraziano33]

Wow. Who knew this would cause so much banter. To let you all know, I did not destroy them. I just thre them back outside. No harm no foul.

[guidofatherof5]

Nonnatives - Brahminy Blind Snake (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/brahminy-blind-snake/)

[EasternGirl]

Sorry...I missed that it was ant larva and eggs when I read it before. Seriously...termites do a lot of damage...you get a serious infestation in your house and you are looking at thousands of dollars to get rid of them and to make the repairs of the damage they will cause. I had an ant infestation in my house for a couple of years...and let me tell you...it was unreal. I would much rather have a bunch of snakes "infesting" my house than ants or termites. Every creature on this earth serves a purpose in our ecological system and the cycle of life. I mean...I wouldn't go out and shoot lions because they were eating antelope. Cycle of life.

[mikem]

I really could have used a handful of these guys when I went herping last week. I received a couple hundred ant bites while taking pictures of a snake. Didn't realize they were there until it was too late :eek::rolleyes:

[Stefan-A]

Every creature on this earth serves a purpose in our ecological system and the cycle of life. I mean...I wouldn't go out and shoot lions because they were eating antelope. Cycle of life.
That's not their ecosystem. That's one part of being an invasive species.

And yes, you should destroy African lions if you find them wandering around in Kansas. Or Burmese pythons in Florida, cane toads in Australia, brown tree snakes on Guam or American minks in southern Finland, to use a few real world examples. A species outside its native ecosystem can cause immeasurable damage.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

A species outside its native ecosystem can cause immeasurable damage.A prime example would be us.

[Stefan-A]

A prime example would be us.
Definitely. Others would be dogs, pigs, cats, rats, goats and rabbits, also thanks to us.

[thamneil]

In this case, the significance of destroying a few individuals would be rather meaningless. These are a species already well established in their ecosystem. We wouldn't even put a dent in the local population by destroying these individuals.

[snake man]

In the long run its up to you really.

[Stefan-A]

In this case, the significance of destroying a few individuals would be rather meaningless.
If someone seriously thought the action would be a fix, then it would be meaningless. But what's truly meaningless, is judging a method based on what it was never supposed to accomplish in the first place.


These are a species already well established in their ecosystem. We wouldn't even put a dent in the local population by destroying these individuals.
Actually, it would be a dent. A small dent, but still a dent.

[ProXimuS]

....I just wanted to say, I came across these on google or something a while back, and I think they're pretty cute, even if they are kind wormy lookin:)

[EasternGirl]

Does this mean I can start destroying annoying humans? Just kidding....

[katach]

They are creepy looking, but I don't think I could kill them unless they were injured or sick beyond recovery, invasive or not. Just my opinion.

[Invisible Snake]

Apparently these blind snakes are so abundant in Florida that Floridians sell them (as pets?) on reptile classifieds, I just saw a couple of ads for them today.

[Lisa4john]

Not my idea of a pet, but neither are tarantulas, scorpions or many other things being kept as pets... To each their own. :p

[EasternGirl]

Heh heh...let Mike tell you about his interesting pets sometime....

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Apparently these blind snakes are so abundant in Florida that Floridians sell them (as pets?) on reptile classifieds, I just saw a couple of ads for them today.I would imagine it would be like keeping pet dirt because you'd never see them :D

[Lisa4john]

Heh heh...let Mike tell you about his interesting pets sometime....

Alrighty then... should I be scared? :rolleyes:;)

[mikem]

Haha, no. Other than snakes, I keep a few spiders and a centipede :)

[Lisa4john]

I'm thinking we will steer clear of the spiders, we have issues with them in my house... Centipedes are cool though. :)