Just found 5 snakes that had strangled themselves in the netting around my tomato plants. Can anyone identify the type of snake? And, are snakes normally attracted to tomato plants?

Looks like a Texas Ratsnake to me.
http://www.uta.edu/biology/her...

I agree; I would call that a rat snake. I do not know any vegetarian snakes, so they are either just unlucky passers- by or they are hunting some other animal which likes tomatoes.

@Bah ...



I would levitate if I saw a snake in that I didn't recognize in the garden. YIKES !

If you want to keep the snakes away, it's doable, but if he was hunting for critters eating your toms, do you want to keep him away and let them have the toms ?

Smiles,
Lyn

Looks like you lost five rat snakes.

Note: Plastic netting is a danger to wildlife, such as birds, lizards, small animals and most especially to snakes which are beneficial in the garden. Please consider removing the netting as it could also cause a problem with reduced air circulation that could cause fungus and diseases on your tomatoes.

😭

I would tear that crap down so fast!!!

That snake couldn't hurt you if it tried!

Ofcourse it wouldn't try...

Rat snakes are beneficial in the garden and they were probably hunting for prey when they got entangled in the plastic. I wonder if they were all from the same family?

I copied and pasted the following from Wikipedia;

Behavior:
The Texas rat snake has a voracious appetite, consuming large numbers of rodents and birds, and sometimes lizards and frogs which they subdue with constriction. They are generalists, found in a wide range of habitats from swamps, to forests to grasslands, even in urban areas. They are agile climbers, able to reach bird nests with relative ease. They are often found around farmland, and will sometimes consume fledgeling chickens and eggs, which leads them to be erroneously called the chicken snake. They are known for their attitude, and will typically bite if handled, though their bite is harmless.

More interesting information about the Texas Rat Snake:
http://www.uta.edu/biology/her...

Yes, the ones I evict from the hens' nest boxes definitely have ATTITUDE.

Rat snakes remind me of a stained glass window, they are so pretty.
There was a rat snake that exited a pickup truck and attempted to enter the dry cleaners where I was working; I blocked him from entering. Yes, he bit me but it didn't hurt. He probably didn't want starch in his collars like all the other angry customers.

Thanks to all who replied. The subject has been covered and we have all the info we need and have moved forward. Thanks again.