ID Snake

Question
I discovered a dead young snake in my garage this morning and since it's the 3rd snake this summer I'd like to identify it.  The first was a black racer curled up in a shrub, the second was an 18" long skin shed beside my driveway.  This latest has wide red bands with narrow white bands separating the red.  The white bands are bordered in black.  And it's belly is white.  I live in Mississippi....and normally we may see one snake a summer, since this is the 3rd I'm concerned.  Also, we have an in ground pool, if that matters.  Thanks so much for your help.  Kay

Answer
Hi Kay:

If you had a picture I could ID it 100% but it can only be one of two in your area and both are harmless to humans, only on rare occasions do they bite when you pick them up and the bite is also painless.  The two are the Scarlet Snake  Cemophora coccina  and the common Milk Snake, Lampropeltis triangulum.  It would be of little value to harm them as both are searching for mice and if you are noticing an increas in snake activity, check out the possibility of mice on your property.  When the mice are gone, the snakes will leave.  They are cleaning up the area of rodents and not charging you a cent, now that's a good deal.
I own a Zoo in Westminster, SC. and we have both of these wonderful snakes, I let kids hold and inspect them all the time and if a child is safe handling them, an adult is certainly safe.  Let them do their work and within a week to three weeks they will have done the job and move on to the next area.
If you get a picture, send it to me so I can narrow down the two.  Also, the shed will be from two to five inch's longer then the actual snake it came from.

                               Best of luck
                                  Joel