Found this snake yesterday....

[Jim in Idaho]

I was up in the Birch Creek valley, near the old Lost Texas Jack silver mine. I was doing a little detecting, looki9ng for another silver ledge, and ran into this guy. I was at 6,500', and about 2' from the edge of a snowbank. He, or she, was too cold to have much movement. There was a rubble filed extending along the base of the hill, and I assume it spent the winter in those rocks. the temp was about 50, or 55 degrees. The snake was obviously out to get warmed by the sun. I came back a couple of hours later and it was gone. I think it's an Eastern Racer. I've never seen a snake of that color, in Idaho, before.
Jim

 

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[DiamondDan]

Did it have a blunt-looking tail? I think it may be a rubber boa if it isn't the one you're considering.

 

[smokeythecat]

Glad you didn't send it to snake heaven. Don't know the species. I'm on the East Coast.

 

[FFFPatriot]

Looks like a rubber boa.

 

[cw0909]

think rubber boa too
Charina bottae (Rubber Boa)

 

[smokeythecat]

Cute animal. Looks like it wasn't interested in chomping you.

 

[DiamondDan]

No fire and brimstone for the snake this time, Smokey?

 

[against the wind]

Taste like chicken

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Ya know guys, I thought it looked like a boa of some kind, had that heavy-body of a boa, and sort of a blunt tail, but when I looked up the snakes that inhabit Idaho, there was no mention of boas, and I've never seen one before. Can't believe they exist at that elevation...amazing!
Jim

 

[Jim in Idaho]

After looking that up, that's exactly what it was. You guys that called it are sharp!
Jim

 

[Tnmountains]

After looking that up, that's exactly what it was. You guys that called it are sharp!
Jim

If it is an invasive specie please dispatch them as soon as possible. They are destroying the wild life in the Everglades. Maybe someone let it loose as a pet or it escaped. I doubt it will survive your winters there though!

 

[DiamondDan]

If it is an invasive specie please dispatch them as soon as possible. They are destroying the wild life in the Everglades. Maybe someone let it loose as a pet or it escaped. I doubt it will survive your winters there though!

They are actually a native species, believe it or not.

 

[Molewacker]

Trippy native Boa! Glad you didn't dispatch this very mild mannered snake. Rubber Boas are extremely docile, and are virtually never known to bite.

Rubber boas have been known to inhabit a wide variety of habitat types from grassland, meadows and chaparral to deciduous and conifer forests, to high alpine settings

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Trippy native Boa! Glad you didn't dispatch this very mild mannered snake. Rubber Boas are extremely docile, and are virtually never known to bite.

Rubber boas have been known to inhabit a wide variety of habitat types from grassland, meadows and chaparral to deciduous and conifer forests, to high alpine settings

Yup...Dan's right, and so is MW. These snakes are all over the west, but need moist, moderate temps. Don't do well in the drier climates and areas, like deserts. They tend to be nocturnal, so aren't often seen. I rarely kill any snakes anymore. I might kill a rattler, but only if it was in a place where it might be run into by my dog. Northern rattlers tend to be pretty shy, and non-aggressive. They usually give you plenty of warning, and at a distance. But dog's aren't really smart about snakes, so I usually give up on prospecting snake country once the weather warms. That boa was a pleasant surprise to find.
Jim

 

[luvsdux]

I'd go with the Rubber Boa choice. I've seen a number of them in Idaho. Not TOO common, but not extremely rare, either.
luvsdux

 

[Honest Samuel]

You are lucky that you did not step on it. Snakes taste like chicken and they are free food.

 

[G.A.P.metal]

I wouldn`t eat a serpent !
Gary

 

[Jim in Idaho]

I'd go with the Rubber Boa choice. I've seen a number of them in Idaho. Not TOO common, but not extremely rare, either.
luvsdux

I would think your area, especially heading east, would be good habitat for them. Not too cold, and plenty wet enough. There are probably more than you know. :-)
Jim

 

[hvacker]

I wouldn`t eat a serpent !
Gary

Don't worry, your off the hook. Serpents (dragons) have legs. Snakes aren't serpents. Go ahead and order up. I recommend med rare.

 

[Peyton Manning]

the racers here are black