skip to main content

Reptiles & Amphibians

Snake ID?

18 years ago

I found this snake today when I flipped over a rock in my yard in Memphis, TN. Even though it looks big in the photos, it was only about 1 foot long - clearly a juvenile. It was pretty feisty and kept lunging at me. The top of its head (middle photo) is really unusual (at least to me). Thanks in advance for your expertise.

Tim

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

mikeygraz
18 years ago
First off - thanks for posting such great and diagnostic photos. It'd be much easier to ID things if people always posted such good photos.

Thats a little Nerodia sipedon (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis (Midland Watersnake) if you go for the subspecies thing). The behavior you noticed is very typical for most snakes in that genus - pretty ill-tempered little brats! haha

~Mike
timvid
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Mike. I'm always impressed by the identification skills of some of the people on this site. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

Tim
Related Discussions
Snake Road photos - snake id again please
Q
Comments (6)
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
...See More
Snake ID???
Q
Comments (5)
I was deployed to Iraq in 2004 threw 2005. Saddam Hussain collected exotic animals. I mean exotic animals that killed people and he used them to torture citizens and enemies. I was first stationed at his sons hunting palace. Mainly saw huge fish there but have heard stories of different animals they found and had to clear out. Never saw a python there but did see two cobras. One was alive and was a tan color which was 4 to five feet long and the other was a long black snake that was at least 10ft long. It looked dead and was in a shallow stream. I did not get that close to it. The biggest camel spider I saw was in Camp Arifjohn Kuwait. It was the size of my boot. So it was like ten to 12 inches.
...See More
Snake ID
Q
Comments (5)
I google for "__animal name__" of "__location__" and it works quite well http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/snakes_of_virginia.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_water_snake http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/northern_water_snake Northern Water Snake baby ... they are strongly marked compared to the adults.
...See More
OT- snake ID
Q
Comments (9)
Anyone living or playing outside the concrete jungle in Tx should learn to id the 4 venomous snakes indigenous to Tx because there are so many different kinds that are harmless. Two are easy. Coral will never be confused with others if you remember "red touch black,friend of Jack,red touch yellow kill a fellow". Rattler,,,,,,,,,you will know him when you see him,nuff said. That leave's Copperhead and Cottonmouth which have hundreds of look alikes. Unlike imposters,both have elliptical eye pupils like a cat. If you have someone show you pits in both their heads and lack of in imposters,that will help also. BTW,most Texans call all large harmless species "chicken snakes"but that's because so few know the proper names.
...See More
zackb
17 years ago
Great photo and ID. Thank you both.
longlegggs
17 years ago
Pond snake...For the last 2 years I have had this visitor, which I am assuming is a garden snake, very thin, long, and small head. He comes out of the pond into the flowers and then scurries away. This year when planting seeds he ran across my foot and I almost had a heart attack. Are they dangerous in any way, is it really a garden snake. Northeast Penna. (Valley Forge area) Does anyone have any knowledge about them?

Related Stories

DENS AND LIBRARIES Room of the Day: Princess the Snake Reigns in a Luxe Library

By Becky Harris

Sure, there are books. But in this library the custom snake habitat may be most worth checking out

UPHOLSTERY The Perks and Perils of Reupholstering Old Furniture

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Secondhand upholstered pieces can add character to a room, but beware of bugs, snakes and hidden costs

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Stars and Myths Inspire a Contemporary London Garden

By Annie Thornton

A sinuously snaking path, tiles like dragon skin and a triad of stone apples give a British garden an air of enchantment

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Gardening for Happy Kids

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Foster creativity, self-esteem and more by designing your landscape with a sense of discovery

BEDROOMS Dream Spaces: Bedrooms With Amazing Views

By Lisa Higgins

Soaring over the city or nestled amidst nature, these sleeping spaces focus on the most divinely designed feature of all

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Mysticism and Meaning Meet in an Ohio Artist’s Gardens

By Karen Peterson

Step into landscape scenes rife with symbolism, inspired by math, philosophy and the stars

FEEL-GOOD HOME Stop That Draft: 8 Ways to Keep Winter Chills Out

By Laura Gaskill

Stay warm without turning up the thermostat by choosing the right curtains, windows and more

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Ways With Agate

By Jami Abbadessa

The stone is fabled to have powerful healing properties, but it's a fact that it can beautify a home

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: An Oregon Cottage With 21 Flavors of Color

By Sarah Greenman

A profusion of paint colors plus inviting porches and gathered pieces create a welcoming feel in a retired couple's 100-year-old home

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding

Sponsored

17 Reviews

The Leading Interior Design Studio in Franklin County

More Discussions

May be a long shot. Snake skin ID

0