Snake ID please, fox snake?

[bulrush]

Hi,
I live in western lower Michigan in Kent County. Found this guy in a park today. Could someone ID it?

It sure isn't a garter snake, and the markings don't look right for a corn or milk snake. How about a fox snake?

Notice how narrow the head is. A Northern water snake has a more arrow-shaped head and different markings.

[Tori]

I'm reasonably sure that it is a northern water snake. The markings are identical and the head varies a bit. Your's head still has a bit of the arrow shape if you look close. I've seen garters that didn't look like garters because of their thickness or the shape of the head looked wrong, but they were still garters (even without the stripe and being overweight). Anyone else have an opinion?
nerodia sipedon - Live Search Images

[Sid]

Definitely a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon). They will vary somewhat in marking and color.

[enigma200316]

yes Northern water snake (nerodia sipedon) not all look exactly alike there are veriations............

[enigma200316]

sry very nice photo to by the way................

[Zephyr]

I once found one of these guys that was red-brown with a black head. They do vary a lot.

[drache]

really nice photo

[adamanteus]

Yeah, Nerodia sipedon. Nice.

[anji1971]

Nice pic!!
I used to see those guys up north all the time when I was a kid. Haven't seen any around here yet, but I must admit I haven't actually been looking either.

[bulrush]

Thanks everyone. Shortly after I posted this I did a search and found a water snake that looked just like this. Several years ago I did look for photos of water snakes, and found pics of the norther water snake that had a VERY arrow-shaped head, like a rattler, it was black with mostly even dark gray triangles. I saw snakes matching those photos in a park.

But, I believe you, it must be a northern water snake. These guys move MUCH fastser on land than a garter. As soon as we spot them, BOOM!, they are gone.

This one was apparently sleeping on a bush, so we ran home, got a net, returned and he was still asleep. I tried to catch him in the net but he escaped. He fell in the water and we never saw him again.