What kind of snake is this?

[texasvet54]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Did you notice wether it swam away on top of the water or mostly submerged. Water snakes look like they are sinking while swimming in water, the cotton mouth/moccosin swims on top of the water, his whole body floats on top of the water.

The snake went into the water under the dock, so I'm not sure how he left. If I were guessing, he wasn't too happy about the weight I tossed at him and he was going deep.

Anyone have any ideas for trapping snakes at a lake/dock? I found the following snake trap on the internet: http://www.snakeremovaltrap.com/

It seems that it would be a little small for the monster I saw this morning.

texasvet

 

[mommicked]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Diamond shaped is describing non-venomous NATIVE snake heads. Triangle shapes or looking like it has balls in the back of its jaws behind its eyes is venomous more often than not. But safe snakes can spread their heads and appear to have the second trait. Copperheads, Cottonmouths and Rattlers are not afraid to stand their ground when threatened most of the time. As said before any big non-venomous snake can bite painfully and there is alot of bad stuff in their mouths, bacteria,germs etc. The teeth are curved and point backwards and if you instinctivly grab and pull/yank it off, some of the tiny teeth will break off like splinters in your flesh. They must be removed and the wound well cleaned or you can get a nasty infection. Don't ask me how I know:facepalm: If your ever bitten by a large nonvenomous snake that doesent let go, try to remain calm, and carefully push its mouth towards its nose to help dislodge the teeth as you pry its mouth open. It works better than the instinct or yank it off method and I might be an expert on this!!. My Dad showed me the outdoors when I was young and told me "If you leave the snakes alone they will leave you alone....... but if you mess w it, or try to kill it, you might be sorry". I respect an animal (native) w no real flight speed (except for Black Racers), arms, legs or claws, and only its mouth to defend itself, and they still seem to say, bring it on! when cornered. If I had to go to Central America as MTBG did, I would wear some snakeboots...........that went to my neck!!! No to my ears!!

 

[jim765]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

the kind that doesent like to be bothered while its sleeping lol

I walked down to the end of the dock where I keep my bass boat this morning and I found this friendly neighborhood creature taking a nap. Anyone know what kind of snake it is? I'm leaning towards a water moccasin since it seems to have a pattern circling it's body and the fact that it doesn't look anything like the rat snakes that I usually see.

Also, it is frikin huge.

The resolution is pretty good, so zoom in for a better look.

Texasvet

View attachment 114156

 

[bigdee]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Just a big 'ol watersnake......does not have the markings of a moccasin. What kind of body of water are you on? moccasins are more common in swamps and stagnant or slow moving rivers that are covered with a tree canopy. I live on lake in a national forest in central NC and the park rangers claim there never has been a moccasin spotted in this lake. One other thing,water moccasins coil themselves into a defensive position when you approach them.....water snakes just slither off.

 

[sschefer]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

So, I gotta ask... did you go swimmin that day?

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

UPDATE!!!!

I sent the picture to the guy who runs the reptile exhibit at the Waco Zoo. He says it is a Diamond Backed Water Snake. I'm hoping he will give me a call to discuss it.

texasvet

+1--I killed a 5footter this summer--thought it was a poisonous one--found out later it was the Diamond Back Water snake---looked just like the one posted.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

So, I gotta ask... did you go swimmin that day?

Nope, just fished from the dock. Had too much other stuff going on and my better half was out of pocket. I did catch one small bass, so at least I wasn't skunked.

texasvet

 

[texasvet54]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Just a big 'ol watersnake......does not have the markings of a moccasin. What kind of body of water are you on? moccasins are more common in swamps and stagnant or slow moving rivers that are covered with a tree canopy. I live on lake in a national forest in central NC and the park rangers claim there never has been a moccasin spotted in this lake. One other thing,water moccasins coil themselves into a defensive position when you approach them.....water snakes just slither off.

I'm on Lake Waco in central Texas. It's got 60 something miles of shoreline and is fed by the North Bosque River. The lake is down about 7 feet due to our record drought. The lake is not a clear lake like Lake Travis down in Austin. On a good day, you probably still can't see the hand in front of your face in a few feet of water if you were diving. It is a very good catfish and crappie lake though.

texasvet

 

[5150abf]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Ya look at the head, that is a pit viper for sure, cotton mouth, water moccacin, whatever they are called in your neck of the woods.

One of the good things about living up north, not a whole lot of snakes in northern Indiana, they are here but pretty rare.

 

[rbh]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Snakes, YUCK!!!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Moccosins do not always coil. We have lots of them here on our lakes, and I can tell you first hand that sometimes they will chase you down the dock. They are very aggressive. The babies are even worse.

 

[bigdee]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Moccosins do not always coil. We have lots of them here on our lakes, and I can tell you first hand that sometimes they will chase you down the dock. They are very aggressive. The babies are even worse.

Water moccasins are rarely found in lakes except on lakes near coastal regions that border marshlands. They have also been found in murky coves and headwaters. Moccasins are loners but the common water snake likes to hang out with other snakes. Unlike moccasins, common water snakes are also climbers that like to get up in trees and docks. I get amused whenever someone spots a snake around water they almost always assume it is poisonous.......the truth is you are more likely to see a copperhead or rattler while walking a path to the water. Once you get to the lake your pretty safe except for the jet fleas.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys and maybe girls. I'm gonna go with the advice my Pappy told me many years ago. Namely, if you treat all snakes as poisonous and leave them alone, you will be ok.

texasvet

 

[RandyJ]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Bigdee, I used to assume the same thing about copper heads. We've had this lake lot since 1971 and until 3 years ago I've seen very few snakes and only one poisonous one, a copperhead, right behind this dump I live in. However, about 4 weeks or so ago I was about to get on my waverunner when I looked down and saw a snake's tail sticking out from under it right at the edge of the water where I was parked in the sand. I got a paddle and encouraged it to come out. Sure enough it was a small copperhead about 2 ft long... now a dead copperhead. Only 2 weeks before that my backdoor neighbor had one crawl out from under a chair she was sitting on while visiting with friends on her patio. So, looks like we've had a whole clutch to be born around here. For sure, we're on the lookout for them. Since living here full time for the past 6 years I've seen countless rat snakes, green snakes and the neighborhood black snake which we pretty much protect since I'd rather have a non-poisonous snake around than have rats or mice in the house....

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

What your stating can get people hurt. Cottonmouths and copperheads all swim, and they have been seen here for many years. At the beginning of spring you have to be very careful because all the young ones are usually around your dock areas. I have seen as many as 30 in one area. The populations of snakes in the southern states are spreading with the warm climates northward.

When it comes to snakes, it is best to stay clear no matter what kind of snake it is.

One sure way to tell a water snake from cotton mouth, moccosin, copperheads is the water snake will usually onlt have its head above water while swimming. The others whole body will be at the top of the water. I just stay away from them.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

I say Pappy gave good advice!

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys and maybe girls. I'm gonna go with the advice my Pappy told me many years ago. Namely, if you treat all snakes as poisonous and leave them alone, you will be ok.

texasvet

 

[bigdee]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Bigdee, I used to assume the same thing about copper heads. We've had this lake lot since 1971 and until 3 years ago I've seen very few snakes and only one poisonous one, a copperhead, right behind this dump I live in. However, about 4 weeks or so ago I was about to get on my waverunner when I looked down and saw a snake's tail sticking out from under it right at the edge of the water where I was parked in the sand. I got a paddle and encouraged it to come out. Sure enough it was a small copperhead about 2 ft long... now a dead copperhead. Only 2 weeks before that my backdoor neighbor had one crawl out from under a chair she was sitting on while visiting with friends on her patio. So, looks like we've had a whole clutch to be born around here. For sure, we're on the lookout for them. Since living here full time for the past 6 years I've seen countless rat snakes, green snakes and the neighborhood black snake which we pretty much protect since I'd rather have a non-poisonous snake around than have rats or mice in the house....

Most snake bites are from copperheads.....they are not afraid of human habitat,in fact they adapt very well to it. I have not seen one in the water yet but I have seen them close to the waters edge. They are slow movers and like to lay at the bottom of porch steps and foundations......it is very easy to step on them. I live in an area that has red clay and these boogers have evolved their camouflage to blend in with the soil and underbrush. Dogs around here get bit quite frequently by copperheads and their head will swell up like a basketball but they rarely die.
We have alot of timber rattlers too but they are very docile and rarely bite.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Sounds 'bout right. We've got good ol' red sand stone all over the place around here. As far as snakes go, copperheads are actually very pretty with their coloration but I wouldn't want to kiss one. If I know for a fact a snake is not poisonous I'll handle it with no problem... I've been bitten zillions of times by non-poisonous snakes (I used to run a pet shop. It was almost a daily occurrence at times). I had a couple of brown water snakes at one time and they are just flat out mean and would bite every time they were picked up. I would never even attempt to pick up a poisonous snake unless it is dead... and then I'd probably pick it up with something besides my hands.

 

[mommicked]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

That is the MOMMA snake

 

[Davis 103]

Re: What kind of snake is this?

Growing up in Tx and spending most of time on Lakes, Livinston, Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend and Falcon i would say that you have a Cotton mouth there, dont get bitten its one heck of a head ache for about a week, but on the up side if you can capture it and kill it and dress it out correctly they dont taste bad. and no, it's nothing like chicken. it's illegal to kill NAY snake in the state of TN no matter the situation, but in TX the only good snake is a dead snake.
look at it this way, as lomg as it's not in your boat you dont have to worry about mice,rats, frogs ar anything elese getting in your boat.