Are Black Racers dangerous?

Question

I live in Plantation, FL and have seen 2 Black snakes living in a bush in my back yard. I was told they were Black racers which were pretty harmless so I did not pay much attention to them. Recently I saw one of the supposed 'black racer' eat a small, brown snake. Is this common for this species, as I was told Black hognose or Eastern hognose are famous for eating other snakes. Also does anyone have any idea what species the small snake is - it had a slim body, rounded face and brown spots/pattern on its body. There was also an incident of a small. brown snake entering my house. Should I get rid of these snakes or let them be in their natural habitat? Please let me know.

Answer 1

As the previous answer stated, hognoses do not eat other snakes. They eat toads and frogs. Racers, however, will eat anything, including snakes, lizards, rodents, birds, eggs and grasshoppers. As for the brown snake, there are a few that match that description, but one is actually called a brown snake and is also referred to as a Dekay's snake.

Answer 2

There are only four venomous species of snakes in your area of Florida... the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, cottonmouth, pygmy rattlesnake, and coral snake. Learn what those four look like, and you'll never have to worry about it again.



Racers will eat anything they can catch that they can get down their throat, lizards, frogs, toads, other snakes, rodents, small birds, etc. Whoever told you hognoses eat other snakes, don't believe them... hognose snakes feed nearly exclusively on toads... indigos feed on other snakes, but are generally larger, bulkier, and more iridescent than racers.



This is also the time of year to find snakes trying to come into your house, and this is why... it's freakin' HOT outside!! they feel your air conditioning coming out through that little gap under your door or what have you, and they know it's more comfortable inside than outside. What that one sounds like to me would likely be a crown snake.



Sounds like you've got a nice yard. Enjoy it.

Answer 3

Black racers are only dangerous if you are a bug. They will scoot away fast if they

see you. Hog nose have a nose that curves and points up, they are also much

fatter than a racer. All of these are 100% harmless and won't bother you one bit.

In your area the only thing you need to worry about would be an Eastern Diamond

Back and Plantation is pretty much developed so I doubt you would ever run into 1

of those.