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Reptiles & Amphibians

Snake in the Water

9 years ago

Yesterday while I was kayaking I saw a snake swimming in front of me. I followed it to the shore and tried to get a picture of it.
Eventually I got a pretty good one, and I think it might be a copperhead. I know about half the posts here seem to be asking "Is this a copperhead?" and its a juvenile eastern rat snake, or a water snake, or a milk snake or a corn snake, but I think that this time for sure its a copperhead. :-)

close-up of head

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Comments (4)

zzackey
9 years ago
My guess would be a copper head. I don't think corn snakes get that big. I just googled it and it looks the same.
bob_cville
Original Author
9 years ago
It really wasn't very big -- probably less than 2 feet long -- I just zoomed way in from about 6 feet away.

The following website seems to say the slit pupil and the dark hourglass pattern that is narrow along the back and wide along the sides are key distinguishing features.

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/venomous-look-a-likes/copperhead-look-a-likes/copperhead.htm
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User
9 years ago
Yep. Definitely a copperhead. Really beautiful snakes and will leave you alone if you don't bother them.

This post was edited by FHFchrish on Sun, Oct 5, 14 at 21:24
Redfeather54
9 years ago
Look at the eyes. When they look like a Cat's eye, which this definitely is, it is poisonous. Leave alone what ever it is. :)

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