Marcia, Please help me find out what kind of snake I came across today. While I was at the local dog park (near Orlando) I came across a yellow with black stripes snake. It looked to be between 3.5-4 feet long and did not appear at first glance (that was all I gave it out of fear) to be shiny. I was about 3 feet from it and didn't know it until my dog almost stepped on it. She obviously didn't see it either. The snake seemed a pit peeved about the whole thing but it decided not to attack and to slowly slither towards ME to get away from my dog. Needless to say, I took off in a different direction real quick and hollered for my dog to follow. I am not like you or others on this site. I am not a fan of snakes and am extremely afraid of them. Although, I don't mind the black racers that seem to have taken up permanent residence in MY back yard and they love to procreate often (or so it seems). I have seen a lot less field rats since the racers moved in and that makes me very happy. Anyway, can you help me figure out what this snake was? I have spent hours and hours online tonight trying to find it and just can't seem to find anything that looks like it. I am guessing that it is not dangerous to me or my dogs??? I am scared to take my dogs back through those woods that they so dearly love. As soon as I told them, "No more woods until the snakes are gone again," they "told" me to find it if it was dangerous or not and if it isn't that they want to go back again. So that is mostly why I am asking you for your help. We all love the walks but I am afraid of the snakes. Please help me feel safer about going back. Thanks in advance for your help.

Not sure why the message did not post, but again... we are having serious storms here. I want to send out a BIG THANK YOU!!! You are so unbelievably helpful! EG

It's a harmless non-venomous nerodian water snake. The specific subspecies is the Diamond-backed Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer). The diamond-backed water snake is not venomous and despite the similar name is no relation to the western diamondback rattlesnake which, of course, is venomous.

Looks like he/she is a good size too. We have some in our yard that are huge. Unfortunely neighbors on both sides kill any snakes they see. Before these "killers" moved in it wasnt unusual for the snakes to sun on our stone porch while we were sitting on chairs.