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.

Sorry for the double post. We are under a tornado watch, and there are serious storms. I did not realize it had posted since everything froze then went white. I went back to the forum, and the post did not show up, so I reposted. So sorry folks. Just feel free to ignore this one. EG

Yeah, I can't think of any snake I have EVER killed! When I got married, my hubby and I had a huge fight about a snake that we found in the back yard. (actually it is the one in these pics) http://www.glimmeringgems.com/images/snake%201.jpg http://www.glimmeringgems.com/images/snake2.jpg I was livid at the thought of chopping it's head off! It did not have a triangle head, or the slits for eyes, so there would be NO killing that day! I caught and moved this one as well. Contacted our city office, and they came back telling me it was a yellow bellied water snake, but I am still not sure. Is this one a rat snake too? Found a baby one in my kitchen the other day, he/she is at the local creek as well. Having said that, yeah.. you all are right, there are tons of rats around here. You can see why by looking at the back yard next door in the images on my twitpic site here: http://www.twitpic.com/photos/glimmeringgems BTW- I have been a member here forever! I shattered my right foot so have been out of the garden for a few years, but I am slowly making a return! I have missed everyone here and also missed being in my garden! EG

Nice Pictures! I can answer your question. That black snake is a black rat snake. Was that midland water snake (subspecies of the northern water snake) found at LaRue Road. I have never found a midland water there before. In fact I don't think I know anyone who has seen one there either. I'm sure they have a good population there, but it surprises me that you saw one. They generally inhabit lakes, creeks and rivers. One doesn't usually see a midland or northern water snake in cypress swamp. I have seen them up north in oxbow lakes. I did see a midland water snake at Mingo swamp in a ditch, but that is far as my northern water snake experience goes. Nice find. Ryan