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Reptiles & Amphibians

Can someone ID this snake?

13 years ago

First and foremost, I didn't take this picture or kill the animal. I'm just asking on behalf of a friend. I do not advocate killing snakes just because they're snakes. I would, however, like to know what kind it was and if it is dangerous as he has a young boy.

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Comments (4)

S.A.McKenzie
13 years ago
What a shameful waste, seriously. A lovely little harmless Eastern Hognose killed by some ignoramus. YOU might not have killed it, but someone you know did. I hope you do at least make an effort to educate them and shame them for their senseless act. I personally cannot be friends with anyone who does kill snakes just because they are snakes or because they assume all snakes are dangerous. Honestly, killing snakes and then posting their pics on a reptile forum to ask if they were dangerous is no different than bludgeoning a puppy to death and posting its photo on a dog website to ask if the members thought it might have had rabies. It is not difficult to learn how to ID snakes, or at least, to distinguish the venomous species that live in your area, but please ask your friend: what IS the point of asking if something might have been dangerous AFTER you have killed it? Even if it was a venomous snake, what does that prove? Its presence does not mean that there are others or that there will be others, only that there was one snake and now it's dead.
bogturtle
13 years ago
All my life I have seen this unreasoned hatred, even to the point of drivers weaving to run one over, if it is seen crossing a road. No improvement on this ignorant behavior has come in a lifetime of over 70 years. I would be happy to see a copperhead or rattlesnake, here in New Jersey, as they are terribly rare.
Actually saw a copperhead in the woods on the cliffs just North of the George Washington Bridge in Palisades Interstate Park, and was so pleased they still can survive there, despite the ridiculous attitudes and overwhelming ignorance of our citizens.
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You guys demonstrate my theory that cottonmouths are "passive-aggressive." Dangerous in that they don't move out of the path, often, and people who are not alert can step on them. Tales of them chasing people are usually highly exaggerated. This isn't to say it can't happen. Just that it's not a common behavior. My best cottonmouth story involved canoeing by myself on Rock Springs Run. I was in an area we call the Flats. Very shallow water, with a lot of grassy vegetation. Makes for slow canoeing as you try to glide through without digging up the bottom. I spotted a cottonmouth in the water, about 2 1/2 feet long, and close to the shore. It had a dead fish in its mouth. I don't think it killed the fish, but I can't be sure of that. But the fish looked REAL dead. It was a panfish of some type (bluegill, shellcracker, one of those) and quite wide, and this snake was trying its best to figure out how to swallow it. The snake worked its mouth slowly around the body of the fish, which was way, WAY too wide for it to swallow, and even tried to force it down sideways. The fish was probably ten inches long and no way was that snake going to get it down sideways. I let the canoe drift over fairly close, as I was enjoying the show. The snake finally began working its way towards the head of the fish, where it would have had the best chance to get it down, but suddenly noticed me or my canoe slowly nearing. If snakes could change expression, this one's eyes would have bugged out and his mouth would have dropped open. If they could talk, he would have been yelling "Holy Sheepdip! Where'd THAT come from??" He did a backflip away from the fish and took off for the weeds like a streak! It was so funny looking, I almost fell out of my canoe laughing at him. I always wondered if he came back later to finish working on the fish. But I didn't wonder about who was more scared by our encounter. He definitely was! Still...I am very careful on the river or in places where cottonmouths might lurk. They normally don't care if you approach them. I admire them, but I don't want to step on one or come face to face with one at any closer range than what I just described. I'm not NEARLY as brave as Wayne! Marcia
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winged_mammal
13 years ago
That's a disturbing image. Hognose snakes are the last snake to ever bite. Their self defense is to flatten their heads like a cobra and strike with their mouth close to try and scare away their attacker. Then if that doesn't work they roll over and play dead.

Hopefully this guy doesn't pass on his fear and hatred of snakes to his son.
danetherton
13 years ago
You really shouldn't post to a reptile loving group a photo of a bludgeoned snake, askiing its ID. That is like the first guy said, like posting to a dog lover site a picture of a beaten puppy, wanting to know what breed it is. It is a dead snake. Your friend will not change, is still going to be an ignorant bigot, and the only thing that will change him - well, nothing will change him in this life.

Asking what kind of snake is ignorant. Do your homework if you are actually going to be a snake lover. Eastern Hognose Snake is one of the most famous snakes in the US. Almost any school child who likes reptiles is going to know about them. Honestly, you should too.

Also honestly, the "I have a friend" ploy is a very old one, used by every teenager who has smoked pot, and wants to know if s/he is in trouble.

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