It's a coachwhip. Very similar to a racer. They're harmless.

Where'd you see it? Looks like a Texas Rat Snake or maybe a Corn Snake (closely related and all are called chicken snakes). Coachwhip's don't have the patchwork pattern and live in western, central and north La. All are harmless and eat lot's of vermin.

How can ya'll tell what that is? I can barely even make out its a snake!

based on the description given.

Thanks guys, i know its a bad pic but that joker was fast. I chased cows bearfooted all over hill and dale, grew up and still live on a creek, saw a 4ft timber rattler on the same same day and have seen 6ft in the same spot as this snake. I dont kill snakes unless forced and have caught plenty, several this year, even caught 3 IN my camps.lol This was a coachwhip but never seen one this color or with a huge head. When i rode up and saw it i thought it was the rattler i saw there before, it was almost the same color, even the 11/2 ft of black velvet on its tail.When i stopped and reached for my cam it took off and i had to get off and chase it down to get this pic.Looked at all kinds online but no luck id.

Lormanbogg, I saved the pic to my computer, then pulled it up and zoomed in. Still very vague but looks like a ratsnake pattern. Never seen a coachwhip with that pattern but who knows.

LA Pinesnake

Ratsnakes are sooo common, that's probably what it is. Common in Central LA and in E. Tex are La Pinesnakes. Similar in color, but more stocky they're pattern is different from front to back. Please notice on the photo. Again, looks more like a ratsnake to me.

I've seen plenty pine and rat snakes in northwestern la., but dont remember seeing a coachwhip. It looked very much like the pic but the last 18in. of its tail was velvet black and it was brighter colored. Also it was much faster than any rat/pine snake i ever saw. The google description sounds like a coachwhip, but it was not black and they dont show another color. Also in 20yrs i've never seen a fox, red or grey around here. i've seen both in my yard in west monroe, but never in tensas, so we seldom see upland snakes.