What kind of snake is this?

[iam4ukaolcom]

We found these snake eggs in a sprinkler box I was having prepared Saturday and my son put them in a cooler and they started hatching within the hour. I now have 7 snakes and my son is wanting to keep one. Does anyone know what kind of snakes these are? They appear to be black with gray stripes. I live in Texas.

Thanks, Elizabeth

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[iam4ukaolcom]

Let me try posting this pic again
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/iam4ukaolcom/100_7496.jpg

[Joe]

can you get a close up please, its a dark pic I cant really see the colour or patern at all

[Joe]

this it? Coniophanes imperialis (http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/snakes/coniophanes.imperialis.html)

[iam4ukaolcom]

Thanks Joe! I looked at the photo and the only difference is that on my snakes the stripes are horizontal instead of vertical, does that matter? I will get a closer picture of the snake.

Elizabeth

[dave68]

Looks like a type of racer or maybe a coachwhip, definately not the striped snake in my opinion.

[gonesnakee]

Best bet is too let them all go close to where they were found. Your son would be much better off with a healthy established captive bred snake as a pet. First thing for sure to to properly identify them as it could be illegal for you to even have them in your possession if they are a protected species there? Even once species is confirmed & confirmed legal (if?) I would still let them all go & consider a captive bred specimen instead as it will likley make a better pet in the long run. A WC baby may never adapt to captivity or eat for you, not the best choice for a first time pet snake. Mark

[iam4ukaolcom]

Thanks Mark!

I did end up letting them go today because when I went out to take a closer picture they just looked pitiful and I didn't want them to die. I didn't let them loose in my yard where we found them but took them down to the end of the street where there are no houses. We went back after school to check on them and they were all gone so hopefully they found a new home. I told my son I would get him a corn snake because I saw where someone suggested that for a first time snake.

Thanks so much everyone for your answers and I am sure I will be back with more questions.

Elizabeth:)

[gonesnakee]

Sounds great, its cool that your son got to experience this anyhow & learned a lesson as well that wild snakes do best off in the wild. A cornsnake is an excellent begginer snake. Make sure it is a well established feeder on FT (frozen thawed) prey & try to get it from a reputable source, breeder direct if possible. Mark

[iam4ukaolcom]

Thanks Mark, I would have never thought of buying a snake from a direct breeder but I will definitely check it out and see what I find. Elizabeth