What kind of snake is this?

[Lana's_mom]

This guy gave me a scare as I was grabbing laundry to wash. All I saw was a tail, so I grabbed one of my snake hooks and dug through the laundry until I found this guy. I hope he was the one I was looking for. Gave me quite a scare. Which I guess is kinda sad considering I have snakes of my own. But I want to know what it is. I was thinking a baby rat snake, but I am not sure. He is tiny, maybe 6-8 inches long. I live near Dallas TX. Thanks in advance.

[katiekat]

Looks like a diamond back water snake (Nerodia rhombifer)

[TheSnakeGuy]

Funny that you found that. Someone brought one of these into my PetSmart in Burleson a week or two ago. It was found in a little girl's bedroom. I told them it was harmless. The dad wanted to keep it, and the mom wanted it dead. I told them whatever they did to NOT kill it. It was doing a springtime service by eating little frogs and geckos. Cage it or let it go in the yard.

[Lana's_mom]

Lol, it gave me quite a scare. I wasn't expecting to see a snake when I was doing laundry. I am glad I was able to catch it unharmed. Now got to figure out what to do with it.