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Reptiles & Amphibians

Help identifying this snake, please!

8 years ago

This snake has made it's home right outside my back door. Wouldn't mind if I didn't have those retractable screen doors which aren't actually attached to a frame - he/she can crawl right in so we don't open the doors!! I have moved it and it returns.

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Comments (4)

Tracey C
Original Author
8 years ago
Forgot to say I am in Michigan, might help!
Sharon McKenzie
8 years ago
Very gravid(pregnant) and harmless female Northern Water Snake(Nerodia sipedon). These feed on fish and amphibians and are harmless, although if grabbed or handled roughly, they will bite in self-defense and spray foul-smelling musk. She is probably seeking a sheltered spot to give birth, since she looks like she's about to explode! I keep and breed several species of Nerodia, including these, as pets, and they tame down very quickly if handled gently. You have nothing to worry about from this girl.
Tracey C thanked Sharon McKenzie
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Tracey C
Original Author
8 years ago
Sharon,

She has disappeared. Do you know how long her eggs will take to hatch? I suspect she layed them because she looked smaller within a day of this last post.

Thanks.
User
8 years ago
Watersnakes don't lay eggs, they give birth to live babies. If you do see a noticeable change she may have given birth or it could just be a different individual.

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