Please help identify this snake!

**RandyRhoads** · 07-14-2012, 07:21 PM

Just look for the loreal pit for a positive ID and let us know. I'm curious now...

**Batch** · 07-14-2012, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Just look for the loreal pit for a positive ID and let us know. I'm curious now...

yeah, the picture isn't good enough for a positive id. It is either a pit viper or it is a water snake. We need to see the pits. I don't see the bands nor can I see the pupils or pits.

**Pocomoonskyeyes3** · 07-15-2012, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by Batch

yeah, the picture isn't good enough for a positive id. It is either a pit viper or it is a water snake. We need to see the pits. I don't see the bands nor can I see the pupils or pits.

Which is why is used the Dark transverse stripe across the eyes to ID it as a Cottonmouth, Other water snakes do NOT have a dark transverse stripe across the eyes. That stripe along with the size, shape of head, color, and patterning is enough to ID it as Agkistrodon piscivorous.

**Eudocia** · 07-16-2012, 01:45 PM

Thank you for all of your help everyone! You all have pointed out some features that I would not have thought to look for and I can't thank you enough.

Fingers crossed that this is the last one I see!!

Thank you again.

**Daniel Nighteyes** · 07-16-2012, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Eudocia

Fingers crossed that this is the last one I see!!

Friend, that depends entirely on where you are. If you are west of the Continental Divide, you are not likely to see any more in your lifetime. On the other hand, if you are east of the Mississippi River, you are likely to see a LOT more of them anywhere significant quantities of water (streams, lakes, etc.) are present.

You see, there are large portions of land east of the Mississippi River where every type of North American poisonous reptile can be found. In coastal Alabama, for example -- where I grew to adulthood -- there are three species of rattlesnake (Eastern Diamondback, Timber, and Pygmy), plus Water Moccasins, plus Copperheads, plus Coral Snakes.

**RandyRhoads** · 07-16-2012, 06:00 PM

Feel free to mail me all venomous snakes...

**Daniel Nighteyes** · 07-16-2012, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Feel free to mail me all venomous snakes...

And that would be the infamous "Snakes On A Thread"???

(Word-play based on the horrible Samuel L. Jackson movie, of course)

**hunter63** · 07-16-2012, 07:58 PM

Snake in the pic looks dead?....So that's a 'good snake"?

**RandyRhoads** · 07-16-2012, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by hunter63

Snake in the pic looks dead?....So that's a 'good snake"?

**Rick** · 07-16-2012, 10:42 PM

A good snake is a live snake living it's life off grid stashing mice away for a SHTF moment. It's a well known fact all snakes should have at least a year's supply of mice on hand.

**Daniel Nighteyes** · 07-17-2012, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Daniel Nighteyes

Yup, a water mocassin/cottonmouth. About 85-90% sure.

A FOLLOW-UP FOR ALL:

My above-listed response wasn't from the objective/intellectual viewpoint, but from the personal/emotional one. I was born & raised in The South, and practically grew up with Cottonmouths and Copperheads. From an early age I learned how to recognize them, and how to distinguish them from other - non-poisonous - snakes. Rattlesnakes and Coral Snakes came later - much later, in fact.

I cannot tell you the scientific name of any of them, but I can instantly identify them when I see them.

[And no, I don't harbor any ill-will toward snakes of any kind, including the poisonous ones. We have an agreement, snakes and me. They agree not to bother me, and I agree not to kill them.]

**RandyRhoads** · 07-17-2012, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Daniel Nighteyes

A FOLLOW-UP FOR ALL:
[And no, I don't harbor any ill-will toward snakes of any kind, including the poisonous ones. We have an agreement, snakes and me. They agree not to bother me, and I agree not to kill them.]

>>>>>>

**hunter63** · 07-17-2012, 08:18 PM

Yeah, I don't kill them either....but I know a lot that do, just because they are a snake......actually there are quite a few around, but unless you are working in the wood pile or brush, you rarely see them.