Snake ID: White with black spots?

[Miss Violaceous]

I live in southeastern VA, and went to take the trash out and found this guy just chilling, draped across our side entryway. I abandoned the trash and went to get my camera! I could tell that he looked nothing like any kind of venomous snake I know to live around here, so I left him alone, but I'm still wondering what he is. I couldn't find anything remotely close by looking on the Snakes of Virginiapage or by googling.

[MC$E]

My bet would be some type of king snake. The eastern King Snake can look like this: http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb...0-8C87206F.jpg And the California is also similar. There are many other types of coloration and patterns on king snakes, so it can be hard to be sure.

[Washoe]

Wow, it’s magnificent—wish I had an answer for you. What’s with all the snake ID threads lately? Seems that Dopers are seeing snakes at every turn. I’m getting nervous; this is clearly a prelude to something…

[astorian]

Originally Posted by MC$E

My bet would be some type of king snake. The eastern King Snake can look like this: http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb...0-8C87206F.jpg And the California is also similar. There are many other types of coloration and patterns on king snakes, so it can be hard to be sure.

That's what I was going to say- the 6th grade biology teacher at my son's school had a large kingsnake that looked just like the one in the OP's photo.

As you say, Kingsnakes can come in a LOT of shades and tones.

[Miss Violaceous]

Originally Posted by MC$E

My bet would be some type of king snake. The eastern King Snake can look like this: http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb...0-8C87206F.jpg And the California is also similar. There are many other types of coloration and patterns on king snakes, so it can be hard to be sure.

Good call... searching around based on that gave me this image of an atypical Eastern Kingsnake that's a pretty good match! I had no idea there was so much variation within the same species.

[Troppus]

Wow, he's gorgeous! Most southeastern King snakes have either a checkered pattern, or thin white stripes. Yours is more beautiful than even the California King.

Did you read up on him? That is the best snake you could have as a neighbor. They are called King for a reason: they are able to digest even venomous snakes, and his presence will discourage other snakes from hanging around your home. Very cool snake

[jayjay]

It's a White(withblackspots)snake, the much lesser-known 80s hair-metal band.

[Crotalus]

That is a really beautiful eastern king snake, one of the prettiest I've seen.

[ShibbOleth]

Originally Posted by jayjay

It's a White(withblackspots)snake, the much lesser-known 80s hair-metal band.

Also known as a Dalmatian snake. I hear that Cruella de Ville used these to make boots to match her coat.

[Washoe]

Originally Posted by Crotalus

That is a really beautiful eastern king snake, one of the prettiest I've seen.

Would it be possible to domesticate a wild one?

[Pai325]

Looks just like my daughter's king snake, but I am not a snake-classifier or whatever the real name for that type of person is.

[Zsofia]

Awesome snake!

[california jobcase]

Don't know about king snakes in your area, but south Georgia king snakes are really mellow. I've caught and handled about a half dozen of them and not one even seemed to try to be defensive. My chihuahua cornered a four foot long one and all it did was try to burrow underground. Once picked up, they're kind of hard to put down- maybe they like body heat.