>stone that has been had concrete "smoothed over" in many >places. I'm sorry, I don't know more technical description >of this.

"Parging"

>It is so dark down there and even though I have lights >installed, I was wondering if I can paint the walls white >to make it brighter.

Sure.

>know anything about this kind of basement >construction, I >want to make sure I don't accidentally >create a problem >by sealing the walls with paint (do they >need to breathe?

No.

>Snakes - I've never seen one but I'm deathly afraid. Is >there a way to fill in any cracks/places I can see >daylight with that expanding foam or something similar as >a precaution?

Fill all gaps with cement or foam. Then forget about it. Or get a cat, let the cat visit the basement.

>Other way to let them know they aren't welcome?

Those circle and slash signs, but you have to mount 'em really low.

I like the cat idea .... unless it's a really big snake or a really small cat, then we might have a problem.

Thanks, I know this may have sounded like a stupid question but I figured better to ask and sound stupid than create some kind of moisture problem and feel really stupid later.