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Reptiles & Amphibians

Yet Another Snake I.D. ??? (Ohio)

19 years ago

This guy has taken over my garden this year as opposed to the typical Garter snakes we usually see. He's getting pretty large, at least 30 inches or so. I checked the Ohio DNR site but their pictures are tiny and show such vibrant color none really compare. This picture is fairly representative of it's actual color. The head seems distinctively triangular and it appears to have very muscular jaws from behind. The head is shiny/glossy in comparison to the body. I'm no fan of snakes but if it's simply harmless and keeping rodents out of my garden he's a welcome visitor.He prends most of his time in the garden or my front flower bed, just a bit worried for my indoor/outdoor cats that might tangle with him.

url=http://imageshack.us][img=http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1633/mrsnakejl8.jpg][/url]

Sure would love to know what it is though! Any replies very much appreciated!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

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Comments (4)

Day_By_Day
19 years ago
Any water nearby? First guess, Northern Water snake.
wayne_mo
19 years ago
Yep, it's definitely a harmless Water Snake. No worries, they are nonvenomous and harmless.
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running_free
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for the input folks! The state DNR site photos were no match but after reading the first reply and checking Google Images there were many near matches to confirm. There is a small creek that runs through my backyard with a small marsh full of cattails so it has good habitat to get old, long, and fat.

Any idea on the growth rate of these critters? I saw a lighter colored snake with similar markings early in the season before tilling my veggie garden but since then this is the only snake we've witnessed. We haven't seen a single Garter snake this year which has been an odd occurance. Typically we'll see them mating and oftentimes spot the young in numbers in the garden. This water snake is interesting in how it's chosen to take over the property! Front yard, back yard--even sunning on our back porch/patio without a care in the world. It's certainly well on it's way to it's 40+" potential.

Again, thanks for the confirmation!
winged_mammal
19 years ago
They can grow at least 6" a year up until they get older, then the growth rate slows down. Water snakes (garters too actually) seem more apt to bite when handled than other snakes but as stated above, they are non-venomous.

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May be a long shot. Snake skin ID

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