Can anyone identify this snake ?
 

This snake was in our CYV this morning. Can anyone who is very knowledgeable about snakes identify it ?

Very difficult without being able to see the head.

Good rule of thumb; treat/respect all as if they were poisonous.

Google florida snakes and you will get a lot of pictures to try to match up.

I've been told it is a black racer (because it can move pretty fast) and that it doesn't bite unless it is cornered. Beneficial as it eats mice, etc. Really sorry you found it in your lanai!

I'v never seen a black racer with bands like that. The ones I've seen are jet black with no bands. It looks more like some kind of rattle snake.

Huh. You might be right. Never mind.

I agree.

It is not a black racer.

Is it one of these?

Snake Identification, Southern Water Snake :: Florida Museum of Natural History

Several people have told me it is a Cottonmouth

It's body is rather thick and with the darker banding it looks a lot like a juvenile cottonmouth.

It could also be a common water snake which closely resemble moccasins.

Absent better info, I would avoid it.

The juvenile ones are more brownish with bands. Not a very good picture, but I'd say it's a black racer.

Looks like a cotton mouth I caught at my house and killed

It appears to be a water moccasin / cottonmouth, but can't be positive. Look up pics online, but do avoid it just in case.

It could be a pigymy rattle snake. Looks like one I ran over on El Diablo golf course some time back.

Looks like Florida banded water snake. Cotton mouths are usually thicker, shorter, with huge heart shaped head. The head, eyes, and light color underbelly IMO looks like banded water snake. Either way I would keep my distance.

Did you see the head . If so, was it arrowhead shaped or rounded. Arrow shaped stay away.