Midland banded water snake?

12 years ago

I thot this was a copperhead when i first saw it, but after studying the photo now think it's the above. can anyone confirm?

here's links to photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brane_fan/6432645501/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brane_fan/6432642283/in/photostream/

(hope i've done this right.)

Here is a link that might be useful: banded water snake

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

User
Original Author
12 years ago
forgot to mention i'm in southern indiana. temp today 43F and sunny. this rock pile about20 yards from pond.
'banded water snake' link is same as the 2nd one listed in my message.
ricjo22
12 years ago
sorry the link to your photo didn't work. The key to identifying it is in the head shape. color patterns vary and i have seen old banded water snakes so black you'd swear it was a cottonmouth and babies so pretty they look like a copperhead. Always err on the side of caution of course . Water snakes often have a mean attitude and are quick to deliver a nasty bite even though its not poisonous
Related Discussions
ID-ing Snakes In The Garden - Coral Snake
Q
Comments (54)
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.
...See More
38 snakes in two hours today!
Q
Comments (3)
Another great day Wayne! ShaggyBill on another forum summed it up best! You're killing us! Myself I was very excited to find our first snake on property last evening. It was a very reddish redbellied snake about 6 inches long. Also a few ground skinks and one coal skink. For what is supposed to be a very common snake we only find about a dozen a year on property and maybe one or two elsewhere. They are usually found very early in the Spring and late Fall with very few in between. They also run about two to one in favor of the red or brown phase. Have often wondered if that is the norm or just this location.
...See More
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
Saw 110 snakes today! A single outing best for me.
Q
Comments (2)
Lucky dog. It's been a bad year for me and snakes... (I don't count the black racers in my parents yard... they're just landscape features.) The only snakes I've seen have all been dead on the road ~all year !! My fiancee, however, has been making all kinds of sightings at work... eastern coachwhips, indigos, rough green snakes, yellow and red rats... not nearly in the numbers you're talking about, but at least he's seeing them. Of course with two little ones it's kinda hard to get out and go looking for any... one of these days...
...See More
User
Original Author
12 years ago
these first links are not 'clickable', but if u cut and paste into browser 'address field' i think they'll work.
curlyrebel
12 years ago
2nd pic looked like a corn snake
ricjo22
12 years ago
head shape looks non poisonous to me. curlyrebel may have it. corn , rat ,fox they vary in color a lot
danetherton
12 years ago
Hi folks. In my years of study, and a very tough Herpetology professor (Reptiles and Amphibians), I have learned that head shape is not a valid means of telling whether a snake is venomous, and should not be used at all. Sorry to the people who said this; I do not mean to diss you, but there it is.
Though the pattern looks like Copperhead, it certainly is not, and is a Midland Water Snake. Bandeds live far to the south. Please tell me you did NOT kill it. If you did, I have little use for you. I cannot stand people who come to a forum with people who love reptiles and ask what kind of reptile they have killed, with pictures (the second picture looks like the snake is dead). This is like coming onto a dog lover's forum and asking what kind of dog, Beagle or Basset, you hacked to death.
Sorry, but I love nature, all of it, and none of it is out to get us if we respect it (except perhaps for Grizzly Bear).

Here is a link that might be useful: My Snake Page
ricjo22
12 years ago
sorry i guess i know just enough about snakes to help someone else get into trouble. there is one poisonous snake in the u.s. that does not have the characteristic head shape of a viper- the coral snake though clearly the snake in question could not be mistaken for that one.
User
Original Author
12 years ago
hey danetherton, thx for the info. i most definitely did NOT kill this snake, nor ANY snake. i LOVE snakes; they are my 'spirit animal'. it was strange to see this guy out so late in such chilly weather.
thx again, and "Snakes rule!"
User
Original Author
12 years ago
btw, sherman minton's "amphibians and reptiles of indiana" shows the midland banded water snake(Neroidia sipedon pleuralis) in so. ind.

Related Stories

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

Full Story

192

LIFE How to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage

By Lisa Frederick

When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible

Full Story

121

INSPIRING GARDENS A Melbourne Backyard Entices Everyone Outside

By Annie Thornton

Music lovers add a pool, pizza oven and fire pit for a yard that’s a big hit with the whole family

Full Story

PETS Dealing With Pet Messes: An Animal Lover's Story

By Tiffany Carboni

Cat and dog hair, tracked-in mud, scratched floors ... see how one pet guardian learned to cope and to focus on the love

Full Story

275

LIFE How to Outsmart Backyard Critters

By Tiffany Carboni

Learn to think like a raccoon, skunk or squirrel to keep your home safe and your garden intact

Full Story

154

BASEMENTS Design Workshop: Is It Time to Let Basements Become Extinct?

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Costly and often unnecessary, basements may become obsolete — if they aren’t already. Here are responses to every reason to keep them around

Full Story

304

PETS Pet-Proofing Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide

By Marianne Lipanovich

Not all pet dangers are obvious. Keep furry friends safe and sound by handling all of these potential hazards

Full Story

161

MODERN ARCHITECTURE Houzz Tour: Pacific Northwest Landscape Inspires a Seattle Home

By Becky Harris

Sweeping views, an intimate courtyard and local materials create an inviting atmosphere

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES The Surprising Ingredients Every Good Garden Should Have

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

See what to do — and not do — for lasting rewards in your landscape

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Living on the Edge of the Wild

By Falon Mihalic

When Mother Nature is your neighbor, the possibilities — and responsibilities — can be that much greater

Full Story

Midland banded water snake?

Comments (9)

User
Original Author

ricjo22

Related Discussions

User
Original Author

curlyrebel

ricjo22

danetherton

ricjo22

User
Original Author

User
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Midland banded water snake?

Comments (9)

UserOriginal Author

ricjo22

Related Discussions

UserOriginal Author

curlyrebel

ricjo22

danetherton

ricjo22

UserOriginal Author

UserOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author

User
Original Author

User
Original Author

User
Original Author