Identifying a snake..?

[jnick]

Hey guys and gals!

I recently found this guy in my yard and was just curious if anyone would be able to tell me the type of species the snake is? We don't get many snakes where I am (actually, this is the second in 19 years!). I was mainly curious as if it were a garter snake or another type of snake.

I do believe it is living under my Central Air condenser and actually, I think there may be more than one. I'm mainly concerned if the snake is poisonous or if it's safe, as my niece and nephew are often playing out in our yard.

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/5112/snakeoe5.th.jpg (http://img398.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snakeoe5.jpg)

Any help is appreciated!

[Stefan-A]

Knowing the location would help narrowing it down a bit, but I'm pretty sure it's not a garter. Nerodia, maybe?

[ssssnakeluvr]

It's definitely a water snake, can be feisty. he loks like he's seen better days....

[Stefan-A]

he loks like he's seen better days....
He looks like he has already seen all the days he is ever going to see. (Road kill)

edit: Oops, apparently it was still alive. But you are definitely right, it looks like it's seen better days.

[chloe]

looks like a florida banded water snake to me nerodia f. But cotton mouths look very similar and they are venomous.

[CrazyHedgehog]

Training a bit boring this morning then????;)

[adamanteus]

I think it's Nerodia fasciata, but then I haven't got my glasses on so I'm squinting a bit! It's a harmless species, but as Don already said, it can be a bity feisty.

[abcat1993]

I agree, probably not a cottonmouth, judging by how it doesn't have a triangular head.

[adamanteus]

Absolutely certainly not a Cottonmouth! Definitely a Nerodia. The only question is whether or not it's fasciata.

[adamanteus]

This is a Cottonmouth.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//538/medium/Agkistrodon_piscivorus_conanti.jpg

[jnick]

Thanks for the reply guys!

I'm a complete idiot for not posting the area :-p. I live in upstate New York (Orange County). I have been arguing with my dad for days that it looked more like a water snake than anything else, but of course he didn't believe me :-p.

It appears that for some reason the picture was removed...Any particular reason as to why? I uploaded to imageshack and posted a clickable link...Did I void the rules by doing this? Please let me know so I can post up the image according to the forums protocol!

Thanks again for the help guys!

Oh and btw, he did not become roadkill. My dad actually stood in his way, in order to re-route him back into the yard.

[adamanteus]

I don't know what happened to your picture. We didn't remove it and you haven't broken any rules. I tried to take a second look at it, but it seems to be taking forever to load. The problem may be with imageshack. If you want, you can put a picture directly into your post....

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/site-feedback-suggestions-questions/181-posting-pictures.html?highlight=posting+pictures

I'm glad the snake didn't turn into road kill!

[adamanteus]

Now I'm thinking Nerodia sipedon, either way it's definitely Nerodia, so non venomous. It would be good if we could get another look at that photo.

[jnick]

James,

Ok...I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking any rules. Though I did read them, I know many forums have specific methods of uploading they prefer due to bandwidth, etc. It seems to be working fine now...

I do have a bunch of other shots. I'll upload them in a bit and post them up.

However, my dad has been on snake watch the past two days and unfortunately there has been no sign of him again...

I bet, however, that the other snakes under my A/C unit ARE garter snakes. They were much smaller and were greenish black with a yellow/ten stripe.

Hopefully I'll see them over the weekend!

Do you guys have any tips on handling them? I REALLY want to pick it up to either keep it, or relocate it. However I'm a little shaky on how to go about handling it so I don't freak out and so the snake doesn't go into attack mode :).

Also, if I were to get bitten, what would the damage be? Would it break the skin? Would stitches be needed or anything of that nature?

Thanks again guys!

[Sid]

James,

Ok...I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking any rules. Though I did read them, I know many forums have specific methods of uploading they prefer due to bandwidth, etc. It seems to be working fine now...

I do have a bunch of other shots. I'll upload them in a bit and post them up.

However, my dad has been on snake watch the past two days and unfortunately there has been no sign of him again...

I bet, however, that the other snakes under my A/C unit ARE garter snakes. They were much smaller and were greenish black with a yellow/ten stripe.

Hopefully I'll see them over the weekend!

Do you guys have any tips on handling them? I REALLY want to pick it up to either keep it, or relocate it. However I'm a little shaky on how to go about handling it so I don't freak out and so the snake doesn't go into attack mode :).

Also, if I were to get bitten, what would the damage be? Would it break the skin? Would stitches be needed or anything of that nature?

Thanks again guys!

My advise on handling is strickly what personally works for my. I gently pick up a garter from the mid section. Do not grip it tightly, allow your other hand to support its upper body. Allow it to move in your hands. If you do grip it tight, then it may feel threatened and at a minimum will trash about trying to get free and musk on you. I have had a couple bite me, but none ever broke the skin, however they can and some people have had a reaction to the saliva. I have not experienced this myself.

Sid

[jnick]

Thanks for the reply Sid. Would what you said about the bite above also pertain to Water Snakes? Or do they tend to have a more vicious bite?

Thanks!

[adamanteus]

It's a bit of a generalization, but usually the Water Snakes bite is a bit worse as they are larger and have larger teeth. The bite from a Garter doesn't really hurt, it just makes you jump! If they do break the skin it's just like little pin pricks. Water Snakes bite a bit deeper and can cause a little bleeding. The bite from a very large Water Snake can be quite unpleasant. (Trust me!):rolleyes: If you were to get bitten, you would just need to treat the bite as you would any cut or abrasion, clean it well.:)

[KITKAT]

It's a bit of a generalization, but usually the Water Snakes bite is a bit worse as they are larger and have larger teeth. The bite from a Garter doesn't really hurt, it just makes you jump! If they do break the skin it's just like little pin pricks. Water Snakes bite a bit deeper and can cause a little bleeding. The bite from a very large Water Snake can be quite unpleasant. (Trust me!):rolleyes: If you were to get bitten, you would just need to treat the bite as you would any cut or abrasion, clean it well.:)

Heh heh! Usually true, James, although I had a 42 inch Florida Blue that nailed my hand between thumb and forefinger, got the entire depth of her mouth over my hand, and left a bloody imprint of all her rows of teeth, an imprint of her eyes (believe it or not!) and I bled like a stuck pig!:D

[adamanteus]

I got nailed once in the exact same place by a Burmese Python, that bled, a lot!

[chloe]

here is a picture of my female nerodia fasciata. Someone gave me a pair a couple of years ago and they have never really tamed down. They tend to give me side ways bites, they have never given me a proper bite.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//503/medium/femaleNerodiafasciata.JPG

[adamanteus]

That's a nice picture, Chloe, and a nice looking snake. Do you still have the male too?

[chloe]

yes i still have the male, she had 23 babies last year in feb, but hasn't produced any yet this year.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//503/medium/argentina_059.jpg

[adamanteus]

Wow! Fantastic photo, Chloe!

[Stefan-A]

Awesome. :)
Thought about getting a Nerodia fasciata once, somebody not too far from here bred them last year.

[drache]

that's a totally amazing photo
thanks so much, Chloe

[CrazyHedgehog]

the babies look so cute, pity the mom just wants to chew my hand when I go near your water snake Chloe!!! :rolleyes:

[adamanteus]

I had hold of that snake today...she was as good as gold. I wouldn't want a bite off her though....she's a big girl!

[CrazyHedgehog]

I had hold of that snake today...she was as good as gold. I wouldn't want a bite off her though....she's a big girl!
Yes, but I bet Chloe handed her to you! it makes a difference!
I think Chloe has a calming effect on her, as good as gold for her.....
its just me going in her tank she doesn't like!
(hey Chloe, you should change your name to 'SnakeCharmer' he he he:D )

But yes, really cool pictures..

[adamanteus]

Actually, you're right, she did hand her to me:) . She handed all her snakes to me, I still got musked about a dozen times though! I'm so fragrant now!:rolleyes: :o